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Ricky Wong audiology@deaf.org.hk. Changing paradigm of creating an accessible work environment for Hearing Impaired employees. A Hearing Impaired employee may be …. a hearing aid user with speech ability a cochlear implantee with speech ability
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Ricky Wongaudiology@deaf.org.hk Changing paradigm of creating an accessible work environment for Hearing Impaired employees
A Hearing Impaired employee may be … • a hearing aid user with speech ability • a cochlear implantee with speech ability • signing / lip reading with or without speech ability • hearing impaired w/ other disability
Degree of hearing loss Normal Hearing (-10 - 25) Mild Loss (26 - 40) Hearing Aid Moderate Loss (41 - 55) Moderate Severe Loss (56 - 70) Severe Loss (71 - 90) Cochlear Implant Profound Loss (91+)
e.g. Moderate Hearing Loss x o x o o o o x x x x o
Assistive (listening) technology for Hearing Impaired / Deaf Persons • Hearing Aid(s): Year 2010 or later • Cochlear Implant(s): Adults: Post-lingually deafened Kids: Implanted before Age of 5 • Assistive Devices • ICT (Information & Communication Technology)
Common Hearing Aid Styles BTE ITC CIC Body-worn
BTE ITCCIC / IIC Body-wornOpen-fit RITC
High-frequency Hearing Loss < x o < x o < x o < x o < x o
Moderate to severe hearing loss(41 – 90 dB HL) (BTE) (ITE / ITC) (50 - 71 dB) (CIC) (40-50 dB) (IIC) (30 dB)
Severe / Profound hearing loss(85+ dB HL) (BTE) (40-65 dB) (CI)
Wireless Capabilities require higher hearing aid specifications( 8-channel or above since 2011)
Cochlear Implant vs Hearing Aids C C C C C C = CI B = Binaural Hearing Aids B B B B B B x o x o o o o x x x x o
Breakthrough from Cochlear Implants Australia Austria US ‧Single-unit speech processor ‧Automatically filters background noise ‧Works with bimodal stimulation (e.g. hearing aid)
Unfortunately … • Many still rely on old technologies • Low-income and can’t afford upgrade of hearing instruments - Pair of 16-channel hearing aids: HK$60K - Cochlear Implant Speech Processor $60K Typical lifespan ~ 3 years • No governmental support on various kinds of personal & assistive (listening) devices
“ After all, we live in a technology world ” • Technology changes the way we work • Most of them benefit all employees, but some of them even benefit hearing impaired employees more • Simple job accommodation for hearing impaired employees ensures workplace inclusion
Frequency-Modulated(FM) System Miniaturizedstyle Body-wornstyle(single frequency)
Telephone Listening Telephone Amplifier Amplified Telephone Amplified |Ringer Up to 40dBwith Teleflash RingerFlash
Induction Loop Sytem • Wired • For fixed area
Portable Induction loop system Alternative
Sound Alerting System 警覺器 Transmitter 接收器 Receiver
Application at the workplace Transmitters: Doorbell/Push-button, Telephone, Security Receivers: Amplifier, Flashing light, Pager
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) • Utilizes more written text messaging than verbal communication • Fades out old technologies which induce cost, e.g. fax machine, SMS, 3G video calls • Through computer (provided by employer) or mobile phone (affordable for individuals)
Examples: • Fax/SMS -> Email -> Whatsapp • Office call -> Mobile call -> Facetime • TTY / Recorder / Notetaker -> Speech-to-text dictation app • On-site sign language interpretation (SLI) -> Online video SLI -> SLI app
Conclusion: • Think about personal needs of Hearing Impaired Employees at the workplace • Incentives for providing support on upgrade of hearing instruments or add-on accessories if achieving good work performance • Making workplace as barrier-free as possible i.e. Good lighting, visual signal, written text Good room acoustics Work buddy / interpreter