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

2. 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

3. Degree of hearing loss Hearing Aid Cochlear Implant
Normal Hearing ( )
Mild Loss ( )
Hearing Aid
Moderate Loss ( )
Moderate Severe Loss ( )
Severe Loss ( )
Cochlear Implant
Profound Loss (91+)

4. e.g. Moderate Hearing Lossx o x o x o x o x o x o 4

5. 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)

6. Common Hearing Aid Styles
BTE
ITC
CIC
Body-worn

7. BTE ITC CIC / IIC Body-worn Open-fit RITC

8. High-frequency Hearing Loss
< x o
< x o
< x o
< x o
< x o

9. Moderate to severe hearing loss (41 – 90 dB HL)
(BTE)
(ITE / ITC)
( dB)
(CIC)
(40-50 dB)
(IIC)
(30 dB)

10. Severe / Profound hearing loss (85+ dB HL)
(BTE)
(40-65 dB)
(CI)

11. Wireless Capabilities require higher hearing aid specifications ( 8-channel or above since 2011)

12. 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

13. Breakthrough from Cochlear Implants
Australia
Austria US
‧Single-unit speech processor
‧Automatically filters background noise
‧Works with bimodal stimulation (e.g. hearing aid) 13

14. 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

15. “ 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

16. Frequency-Modulated (FM) System
Miniaturized style
Body-worn style (single frequency)

17. Digtial sound transmission system

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

19. Induction Loop Sytem
Wired
For fixed area

20. Portable Induction loop system
Alternative

21. Sound Alerting System
警覺器 Transmitter 接收器 Receiver

22. Application at the workplace
Transmitters: Doorbell/Push-button, Telephone, Security
Receivers: Amplifier, Flashing light, Pager

23. 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)

24. Fax/SMS -> Email -> Whatsapp
Examples:
Fax/SMS -> -> 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

25. 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

26. Thank You!