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Creating an Accessible Workplace for Hearing Impaired Employees

Learn about the changing paradigm in creating an inclusive work environment for Hearing Impaired employees. Discover the technologies and accommodations available to support individuals with various degrees of hearing loss, from hearing aids to cochlear implants. Explore the vital role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in enhancing workplace communication and accessibility. Find out how simple job accommodations can ensure workplace inclusion and support for all employees.

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Creating an Accessible Workplace for Hearing Impaired Employees

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  1. Ricky Wongaudiology@deaf.org.hk Changing paradigm of creating an accessible work environment for Hearing Impaired employees

  2. 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

  3. 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+)

  4. e.g. Moderate Hearing Loss x o x o o o o x x x x o

  5. 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)

  6. Common Hearing Aid Styles BTE ITC CIC Body-worn

  7. BTE ITCCIC / IIC Body-wornOpen-fit RITC

  8. High-frequency Hearing Loss < x o < x o < x o < x o < x o

  9. Moderate to severe hearing loss(41 – 90 dB HL) (BTE) (ITE / ITC) (50 - 71 dB) (CIC) (40-50 dB) (IIC) (30 dB)

  10. Severe / Profound hearing loss(85+ dB HL) (BTE) (40-65 dB) (CI)

  11. Wireless Capabilities require higher hearing aid specifications( 8-channel or above since 2011)

  12. 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

  13. Breakthrough from Cochlear Implants Australia Austria US ‧Single-unit speech processor ‧Automatically filters background noise ‧Works with bimodal stimulation (e.g. hearing aid)

  14. 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

  15. “ 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

  16. Frequency-Modulated(FM) System Miniaturizedstyle Body-wornstyle(single frequency)

  17. Digtial sound transmission system

  18. Telephone Listening Telephone Amplifier Amplified Telephone Amplified |Ringer Up to 40dBwith Teleflash RingerFlash

  19. Induction Loop Sytem • Wired • For fixed area

  20. Portable Induction loop system Alternative

  21. Sound Alerting System 警覺器 Transmitter 接收器 Receiver

  22. Application at the workplace Transmitters: Doorbell/Push-button, Telephone, Security Receivers: Amplifier, Flashing light, Pager

  23. 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)

  24. 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

  25. 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

  26. Thank You!

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