Deaf and hard of hearing

Overview

The spectrum of deafness and hearing impairment encompasses a range of conditions and experiences. People who are ‘Deaf’ (capitalised D) communicate using Australian Sign Language (Auslan). These individuals identify as part of the Deaf community, which has its own language and culture. Others may describe themselves as ‘deaf’ (lower case d). These are people who do not physically hear but do not consider themselves to be members of the signing Deaf community. People who have mild to moderate hearing loss, or who have developed hearing loss in late childhood or adulthood are described as ‘hard of hearing’. People in this group  will usually use spoken language to communicate. They may use lip reading, hearing aids, written language and gestures to communicate.¹ Depending on the type of hearing loss, and its severity, it is possible that it may have an impact on a person’s ability to work. This will depend on several factors:

• The type and level of hearing loss.
• The industry the person is working in.
• The assistive technology available to the person.
• The support the person receives from their employers.²

Important things to know about being deaf and hard of hearing 

• Around 3.6 million Australians are affected by hearing loss and this number is expected to more than double to 7.8 million people by 2060.
• Deaf Australians experience higher unemployment rates than the general population. This is not because of a lack of skills but rather workplace barriers that prevent them from working effectively.
• With the right supports, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can excel in the workplace just like anyone else.³

If you meet a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, it is important that you ask them how they prefer to communicate. Preferred communication methods might include Auslan, lip reading, written communication or a combination of methods. People may also use assistive listening devices or other technology. Here are some additional tips for interacting with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing:

• Get their attention by waving your hand where they can see it or tapping them on the shoulder.
• Make sure they can clearly see your face when you are talking to them.
• Avoid having conversations in areas with poor lighting or little space.
• Use body language and gestures to help you communicate.
• Ensure that background noise is minimal (if the person relies on residual hearing)
• During meetings or in group situations, ask people to speak at a moderate pace and ensure that only one person speaks at a time.
• Avoid eating or smoking when talking to the person.^{4 5}

Being deaf or hard of hearing may make workplace tasks like participating in meetings, interacting with customers or giving and receiving instructions more challenging. However, with clear communication, workplace adjustments and assistive technology, a person who is deaf or hard of hearing can thrive in the workplace.

Key strategies for success

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may benefit from modified recruitment practices. These might include:

• Offering multiple formats for submitting job applications including email, online forms, or video.
• Providing an email address for any job-related or recruitment-related queries.
• Asking interview candidates if they require any adjustments to the recruitment process such as using interpreters or having interview questions provided in writing.
• Ensuring the interview room is well-lit with minimal background noise and taking care to make sure the candidate can clearly see the interviewer and the interpreter.⁶

It can also be helpful to provide information in a variety of formats. You might consider the following suggestions:

• Staff meetings with agendas, visual presentations, and meeting minutes to aid understanding.
• Work-related videos with captions or transcripts.
• Verbal content reinforced by emails, written handouts, or whiteboard use.
• Webcams provided for employees who use sign language to communicate.
• The use of instant messaging or email rather than phone calls where possible.
• For important meetings or training, you may consider using an interpreter.^{7 8} 

A range of technology is available to support deaf or hard of hearing employees in the workplace. Some examples include:

• Paging devices
• Connecting hearing loops or induction loops to a PA system
• Personal amplifiers
• Amplification or FM systems – the speaker uses a microphone, which improves sound for the person listening with a receiver
• Visual alerts – for example, flashing lights connected to telephones, fire alarms, meeting reminders or entry systems
• Captioning software – this software can provide real-time captioning for meetings.^{9 10} 

You might also consider making some easy adjustments to your work environment that could make a big difference to employees who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some ideas include:

• Positioning the person’s desk so that they are facing co-workers and office entrances. This helps deaf and hard of hearing employees to be more aware of their surroundings.
• Ensuring that the person has a seat in the middle and towards the front of the room during meetings
• If the person has better hearing in one ear than the other, be mindful of this and ask them about their seating preferences during meetings or conversations. ¹¹