Hearing loss ranges from mild to profound. One person may be able to hear everything but very high-pitched sounds while another may hear only the roar of a jet engine and another hears nothing. A hard of hearing person may have difficulty developing his or her speech depending on the degree of hearing loss and when it occurred. The range of hearing loss includes the person who has age-related mild hearing loss to the person who is congenitally (born) deaf.
"One in every ten (28 million) Americans has hearing loss." (Self Help for Hard of Hearing, 2006). Of these, the vast majority of Americans (95%) with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids. However, the number of these individuals who actually use a hearing aid is only 22% (6.35 million individuals). As of 2004, across all age groups, in the United States, approximately 1,000,000 people (0.38% of the population, or 3.8 per 1,000) over 5 years of age are "functionally deaf" (Gallaudet Research Institute (GRI)).
Hard of Hearing: Used to describe people who have usable residual hearing or who use hearing aids to amplify sounds.
Deaf: Used to describe people who have little or no usable residual hearing.
When assisting people who are deaf or hard of hearing,Remember These Basic Tips:
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD): The job of an ALD is to make the sound louder and give volume control to the individual. In general, ALD's block out most of the ambient noises that come from the audience and just amplify the sounds coming from the speaker/stage. Most systems require the patron to check out a receiver with an earpiece or a set of headphones; and the system should also include neck loops for people with T-coils and hearing aids. It is also important that the equipment be checked, maintained, and cleaned on a regular basis. Systems must be checked for battery effectiveness, earpiece cleanliness, availability of ear foam pads, and other factors that can disrupt the effective working of the ALD. There is a more complete explanation of ALD's following this section. Resources - ALD
Sign Interpreted Performances: Generally, interpreters translate from spoken English to American Sign Language. However, there are other forms of visual/manual communication that also may be used (i.e., Signed English, cued speech, etc.). Arrangements for the interpreter are made well in advance so that the interpreters are able to attend a museum tour or get a performance script well in advance to clarify details and rehearse the interpretation. Ideally, the interpreters are located in the same visual field as the performance/lecture, with subdued lighting on them at all times.
Open Captions: Open captioning is always visible and does not require a special device from the viewer. The dialogue and sounds appear at the bottom of the screen as written text or is scrolled on an LED sign that is suspended above the stage or placed on the stage at the front edge. Some theaters may also place the LED sign in other locations on or near the stage so it and the performers are in the same visual field. Open captions are often available on videotape, DVD, movies, theatre performances, conferences or meetings, distance learning, CD-ROM or other audio content on a computer.
Closed Captions: Closed captioning allows the display of captions to be either on or off. It is the preferred method for television broadcasts, videotapes, and DVD's. Closed captioning is often available on a secondary audio program (SAP) channel. Many institutions may have instructions next to a display like "Press the button to view this video with captioning." The dialogue and sounds appear at the bottom of the screen as written text.
Real Time Captioning (CART): Captioning for live performance, lectures, presentations, and events is sometimes called CART or Computer-Aided Real-Time reporting. Technology changes rapidly, but current CART uses technology developed for the courtroom. Real-time reporters, often trained as court stenographers, type what is said on a stenographic keyboard, which employs a kind of shorthand. Computer software instantly translates the shorthand into full English words and sentences; and a video monitor, projection screen, or LED sign displays the text almost simultaneously. Ideally, captioned performances are scripted before hand and well rehearsed to avoid embarrassing word misspellings.
Rear Window ™ Captioning: The display is mounted on the wall at the back of the auditorium. The words are scrolled and written backwards so that the patron can hold up a small piece of clear or slightly smoked Plexiglas (provided by the theater) that reflects the captions within their viewing area. In this way, the audience member has more control in the placement of the captions in relation to the performers.
Telephone Typewriter (TTY) (sometimes referred to as TDD): This device is a text-based telephone used for communication between deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, and/or hearing persons. Ideally it is placed with or near public pay phones and is clearly marked.
Volume Controlled Telephone: These telephones have handsets with amplified sound and/or adjustable volume controls.
Relay Services: Patrons may ask for your assistance calling a Relay Service at 711. This service enables individuals with and without TTY's to communicate via an operator or Communications Assistant (CA). The CA voices the typed conversation to the person without a TTY and types the voiced conversation to the TTY user. You may serve as a liaison between the patron and Communications Assistant, reading the written messages and responses given to you by the patron into the telephone for the CA to relay. The important etiquette to remember when communicating via a relay call is the following:
1. Allow time for the CA to type both your response & the caller's question/response.
2. Speak slowly so the CA can keep up with you and try not to speak in long, complicated sentences.
3. When you have finished talking, say "go ahead" which cues the other person that they can respond.
4. When the conversation is over, say so or indicate by saying "stop keying" which is the term used on the TTY.
VSA arts of Texas is always looking for people to join us in our goal of assisting arts organizations to achieve maximum accessibility.
Contact us for more information on how you can help.