‘hi’ deafness friendly Program – Improving Communication Improving Communication Building bridges – Creating opportunities

Deafness Definition Temporary Profound Deaf (Culture) Moderate Severe Mild Levels Of Deafness Deafness: a partial or total hearing impairment in one or both ears. Deafness includes all levels of hearing impairment, from a temporary hearing difficulty, to a complete loss of hearing, and also members of the signing deaf culture. ‘hi’ deafness friendly Program – Improving Communication

Communication is a basic human activity need and a key element in social participation. Virtually everything we do in life requires us to communicate with others – receiving an education; finding a job; managing our business affairs – everything and the Deaf and hearing impaired are often excluded from these activities that most of us take for granted, simply due to communication difficulties (hearing and/or speech). Deafness isolates. With hearing loss there is an increased risk of diminished ability to access services and information. People with deafness may:  Have trouble hearing conversations at service or enquiry counters, leading to conversations becoming louder and a loss of privacy.  Misunderstand instructions, entitlements or obligations because they didn’t hear the conversation properly. Hearing loss may create potential occupational health and safety risks for businesses and service providers. Potential hazards exist for Deaf or hearing impaired customers and staff (and as a consequence, liabilities for proprietors or owners of businesses or buildings). For example, if alarms and alerts for fire are audio alarms only. Note: ‘while interventions such as hearing aids and cochlear implants enhance a person’s ability to communicate, the majority of people with hearing loss (85%) do not have such devices’ (Access Economics, Listen Hear Report, 2006, pg. 5). The Facts of Deafness ‘hi’ deafness friendly Program – Improving Communication

How ‘Deafness Friendly’ is your organisation? Are the hearing impaired isolating themselves fully or partially from your services because access is not adequate for them? The “hi” deafness friendly Program can help implement strategies that provide better access to your services and improve the quality of life for the deafness clientele by providing better communication with any combination of the following products or services:  Counter Hearing System (CHS unit)  Personal Hearing System (PHS unit)  Public (FM) Hearing System (PFM unit)  Medical Hearing System (MHS unit)  Communication Whiteboard  TTY Telephone  How you can become deafness friendly ‘hi’ deafness friendly Program – Improving Communication

 The Public (FM) Hearing System or simply referred to as a PFM unit – Portable was developed by “hi” deafness friendly” program. The PFM unit is a portable public address hearing system which provides amplification of the sound source to all people whether they wear hearing aids and or not.  The PFM unit – Portable also emits a signal (normally on frequency band of 88.3fm) within the designated area – ideally used in halls, churches, theatres, funeral parlours, bowling clubs and or large meeting rooms.  The cost of the PFM unit is $1, GST Free. Public (FM) Hearing System - PFM unit – Portable. ‘hi’ deafness friendly Program – Improving Communication

 The PFM unit – Portable is both a Public Address and FM transmission hearing system.  The PFM unit – Portable can be used a normal Public Address (PA) hearing system or  For people who wear hearing aids with a “T” switch fitted (Telecoil) an audio loop connected to the walkman listening device or similar listening system which is able to pickup FM transmission can be used or  For those that do not wear hearing aids a headset, earbud or stetoclip listening device can be used - sound waves from the sound source via the microphone are changed into an electric current. The walkman tuned in to the frequency noted pickup the signal and the user simply turns up the volume to suit themselves. So, How Does The Public (FM) Hearing System Work? ‘hi’ deafness friendly Program – Improving Communication

Steps to Becoming a Deafness Friendly Location  Contact the “hi” deafness friendly program coordinator at Deaf SA  Organise a deafness friendly information session  Complete and return a “hi” deafness friendly location checklist; provided by the “hi” deafness friendly program  The “hi” deafness friendly program will then contact you for deafness friendly location completion or  Visit the deafness friendly website and follow links to becoming a deafness friendly location

If you need more information or would like to arrange a “deafness friendly – information session” please contact the “hi” deafness friendly program Coordinator : Rod McInnes Phone: Or ‘hi’ deafness friendly Program – Improving Communication