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

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 Hearing Aid Cochlear Implant 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 x o x o x o x o 4

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 ITC CIC / IIC Body-worn Open-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 = CI B = Binaural Hearing Aids B B B B B B x o x o x o x o x o 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) 13

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 Miniaturized style Body-worn style (single frequency)

Digtial sound transmission system

Telephone Listening Up to 40dB with Teleflash Telephone Amplifier Amplified Telephone Amplified |Ringer Up to 40dB with Teleflash Ringer Flash

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

Utilizes more written text messaging than verbal communication 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)

Fax/SMS -> Email -> Whatsapp 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

Making workplace as barrier-free as possible 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

Thank You!