Building competency: suggested competencies for supporting people with deafness or hearing loss
Overview
A practical guide designed to help professionals provide more inclusive, respectful, and effective support to people who are Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing or have hearing loss.
With 1 in 6 Australians affected, and hearing loss closely linked to mental health concerns, competency in this area is vital.
The guide outlines core competencies based on lived experience, including understanding the emotional impacts of hearing loss, communicating clearly, respecting individual communication preferences, and using trauma-informed, culturally aware approaches. It encourages reflection on ableism, audism, and unconscious bias in systems and services.
Practical tips include learning from real-world stories, co-designing training with Deaf communities, using visual cues, and building everyday inclusive habits.
The resource reinforces that inclusive practice is ongoing – not about being perfect, but about staying present, informed, and open to learning. This guide is not clinical advice but a starting point for improving accessibility, communication equity and holistic support across sectors.