What is Deafness or Hearing Impairment?
It is estimated that 10% of Australians have a hearing loss and the main impact of that hearing loss is on communication.
Hearing loss is measured in decibels (loudness) and frequency (pitch). Hearing tests (audiograms) show the sound levels that a person can hear. The main categories of hearing loss are Mild (40-50dB), Moderate (55-70dB), Severe (70-90dB) or Profound (90+ dB). Human speech is around 60dB. It is therefore difficult to hear or understand other people's voices if you have more than a mild or moderate hearing loss.
Conductive deafness is usually a temporary and treatable condition. It can result from blockage or damage to the outer and/or middle ear.
Sensory-Neural deafness involves permanent and irreversible damage to the hair cells in the cochlear or auditory nerves in the inner ear. Nerve deafness can be caused by disease, trauma from an accident, tumours, excessive noise and ageing.
Hearing aids can help some people, but they only amplify whatever sounds can be heard. Unclear sounds remain unclear; they are just louder. The cochlear implant does not restore normal hearing but rather works as a powerful hearing aid.
Age at Onset of Loss of Hearing
If people are born profoundly deaf or lose their hearing before they have learned to speak (pre-lingual deafness), then it is more difficult for them to learn to speak well. People who lose their hearing later in life, or who have only a small hearing loss, are more familiar with English, know how it sounds and how to use their own voice, and can usually maintain clear speech.
Who are the Australian Deaf Community?
People with a hearing loss can be divided into two groups. Those in the first describe themselves as 'Deaf' with a capital 'D', use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) and identify with the Deaf community and culture. The second group are those that have a hearing impairment and are referred to as 'deaf', 'hearing impaired', or 'hard of hearing', commonly losing their hearing from the effects of ageing, industrial accidents or noise. They do not necessarily see themselves as part of a separate culture or community.
The Australian Deaf community is made up of a diversity of individuals and families who share a common culture and language, generally not known to the hearing community. Many Deaf people identify with the Deaf community and see themselves as members of a cultural and linguistic minority group whose first language is Auslan and second language is written English. They do not necessarily see themselves as a person with a disability, but rather as living within a sub-culture of the wider hearing community.
Communication Methods used by Deaf People
Generally, the more hearing a person has, the more they will speak and try to lip-read English, and the less hearing they have, the more likely they are to prefer using Sign Language. Each individual has a particular communication preference which is often related to family upbringing and the schools they have attended.
Besides written communication, people who are Deaf or hearing impaired also use other communication methods.
Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the language used by the Australian Deaf Community. It is the native language of Deaf people who have Deaf parents and of many hearing children of Deaf parents. Auslan is also the primary language of many Deaf people who do not have Deaf parents but who have learnt Auslan later in their lives.
Just as different spoken languages have evolved around the world, Deaf communities have developed different Sign Languages in different places. Auslan was derived from British Sign Language (BSL) but has since developed into its own distinct language used by Australian Deaf people. It is one of many sign languages which include American Sign Language (ASL) and Japanese Sign Language (JSL).
Auslan was formally recognised by the Australian Government as an Australian Community Language in 1987. Auslan is a visual language that includes: sign vocabulary, complex grammatical rules, facial expression, body language and finger-spelling. It is not the same as English. While spoken language is linear - that is, you can only make one sound at a time - Sign Language is spatial and three dimensional and therefore does not follow the English word order.
Oral Communication/Lip-reading
Many people with a mild or moderate hearing loss use oral communication. This is where a deaf person speaks for themselves and reads the lips of the other person. However, this is not an easy thing to do. The more you can hear, the easier it is to distinguish the sounds you are lip-reading. Assistive listening devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) are used to enhance existing hearing.
Signed English is the manual representation of English word for word. It was developed by hearing educators to try and further expose Deaf people to the English language. Signed English is not a language, rather a 'sign code'. Many Deaf people with an inadequate knowledge of English will not necessarily understand someone who is signing the manual representation of English. Many Deaf people learn Signed English at school and then pick up Auslan as they move into the wider Deaf community.
Myths and Realities of Deafness and Hearing Impairment
 |
 |
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||||||||
 |
 |
Positive Interactions and Workplace Adjustments
Interacting with a person with a disability, including a person who is Deaf or hearing impaired, should be characterised by respect for their rights to dignity, confidentiality and equity.
Employers should evaluate the environment in terms of accessibility and appropriateness for Deaf clients and employees. Some ways that can make a workplace 'deaf friendly' are listed below.
- Reduce background noise, particularly for Deaf employees/clients who use a hearing aid or have a cochlear implant.
- Help to minimise the impact of noise by using soft furnishings, carpets, heavy curtains and wall hangings.
- Turn off or reduce excess noise that can make it difficult to hear, such as the TV, music or noisy air conditioning units.
- Close doors and windows to reduce traffic and outside noises.
- Make sure that light levels are bright enough to see clearly.
- Use signs to designate facilities in the building, such as a TTY, telephone with volume control or audio loop.
- Use diagrams, pictures and simple written language to explain directions or instructions.
- At meetings, seating arrangements for the employee with the hearing loss should ensure good lighting, enough room to move, and good views of the people involved in the meeting.
- When speaking with a Deaf employee, do not sit in front of a window or other light source that can make it difficult for the deaf person to see you clearly.
- Make sure the Deaf employee is looking at you before you start talking. You can get their attention by touching them on their arm or waving your hand.
- Look directly at them so that they can see your lips and facial expression.
- Always speak directly to the person. Do not address questions to the interpreter (see 'Working with an Interpreter' later in this section).
- Use your normal pace and volume of speech. There is no need to exaggerate or shout. Do not over-enunciate as this also distorts normal lip patterns.
- Keep your hands or other objects away from your mouth.
- Wearing sunglasses can reduce the amount of information you are communicating through your eyes.
- Be patient if you feel that you are not being understood and try to rephrase the sentence, rather than repeating the same words over and over or more loudly.
- Trim a long or shaggy moustache if you have regular contact with a deaf person.
- Don't expect the person to watch you and write things down at the same time.
- Write down key words if necessary or write the message down in simple English.
- Avoid the use of slang and clichés.
- Make regular use of visuals, such as photos or drawings, showing the report or document or pointing to the object or person that you are talking about.
- Demonstrate something within a training situation rather than just talking about it or handing over written instructions.
Many people with hearing impairment may be using particular devices to assist them in their daily lives. Technology can help them participate more effectively in the workplace.
- Install and encourage the use of assistive listening devices for TV such as Teletext and captioning.
- Install appropriate safety alarms with warning lights.
- Make available devices such as volume control phones and telephone typewriters (TTYs). The TTY is a phone device that has a keyboard to type in your conversation. It plugs into the normal phone line and messages received from other callers with TTYs appear on the small screen.
- The National Relay Service (NRS) (Ph: 133677) can connect you if you want to talk with a Deaf person and you do not have a TTY. If a Deaf person wants to call someone that does not have a TTY, they can also do this through the NRS. The operator has both a TTY and a regular voice phone and passes information between the two callers. This is an Australia-wide service that operates 24 hours every day at no extra charge.
- Along with e-mails, the 'short message service' (SMS) on the mobile phone is a very convenient way to contact someone quickly.
- Audio loop systems allow a person who wears a hearing aid with a T switch to 'tune into' the microphone system used in the room.
Many Deaf people use Auslan as their primary communication method. Most employers do not know Auslan, so day-to-day communication is usually done in some form of written English. However, in situations such as interviews, staff meetings, training sessions and conferences, it is important that both sides fully understand each other and can be confident in expressing themselves in their first language. This is where an interpreter can assist.
An interpreter is employed to ensure smooth communication between all parties. The interpreter is not an advocate, counsellor or information resource. Their role is specific: being a communication and cultural bridge between the Deaf and hearing participants in a discourse. They are bound by a code of professional ethics that includes confidentiality, impartiality, and accurate interpretation.
A qualified interpreter is fluent in Auslan and English and understands the cultural and social difference between the Deaf and hearing community. An interpreter is employed:
- to ensure smooth communication between all parties
- to ensure the appropriate participation of the person who is deaf or hearing impaired in particular situations and activities.
The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) has established levels at which accreditation can be obtained.
- Conference Interpreter: the advanced professional level for complex, technical or sophisticated interpreting, such as for court work, conferences and high level negotiations.
- Interpreter: the minimum level of competence for professional interpreting. Interpreters at this level must be qualified to interpret across a wide range of subjects involving dialogues at specialist consultations and presentation by consecutive mode.
- Paraprofessional Interpreter: represents a level of competence in interpreting for the purpose of general conversations.
For further information, refer to the NAATI website.
- Usually the interpreter will arrive 10-15 minutes early to familiarise themselves with the Deaf person's communication style and to be briefed by the employer.
- Interpreters require a 10 minute rest break for each 50 minutes of continuous interpreting. For conferences or demanding assignments, two interpreters may need to be used. This is to avoid Occupational Overuse Syndrome and fatigue.
- The Deaf client and the interpreter will advise on the best seating arrangements in relation to clear visibility and lighting.
- Always speak directly to the Deaf person, using the first person; "Could you tell me about ...?"
- Speak or sign at a normal pace. The interpreter will ask you to slow down or repeat information, if necessary.
- Make sure that only one person speaks at a time and that any acronyms are fully explained in the first instance to the interpreter.
- Do not talk to the interpreter or ask them questions during the interpreting assignment. The interpreter is required to interpret everything that is verbalised or signed.
Interpreters need to adequately prepare before all assignments. Providing detailed information on what the interpreting situation is about, stating any special requirements, and making available relevant materials (papers, meeting agendas and so forth) or specific words that could assist the interpreter will greatly benefit the interpreting assignment.
In particular, ensure that the interpreter is provided with the following:
- the names of the clients (deaf and hearing) and the organisation
- the type of assignment and its purpose (meeting, training)
- the date, time and duration of the assignment
- exact location details.
Note: Auslan Interpreters are in high demand, so try to book early.
Deaf Education Network (DEN)
361-365 North Rocks Road
North Rocks 2151
Phone: (02) 8845 9444
TTY: (02) 8845 9411
Fax: (02) 8845 9455
E-mail: den@deaf.nsw.edu.au
Web: DEN Website
Deaf Society of NSW
Suite 401, Level 4, Macquarie House
169 Macquarie St , Parramatta 2150
PO Box 1060
Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: (02) 9893 8555
TTY: (02) 9893 8858
Fax: (02) 9893 8333
You can book a freelance interpreter direct.
For further information contact Deafness Resources Australia.
< Back to Types of Disabilities
