Hearing Impairment
Instruction Techniques | Implications for Sailing
CLASSIFICATION -
Hearing loss is categorized by its severity.
- Mild Hearing Impairment
- Speech is normal; conversation is easy; has difficulty hearing distant noises
- Moderate Hearing Loss
- Speech is impaired; has difficulty hearing normal conversation
- Severe Hearing Loss
- Cannot participate in conversations although he/she may catch the occasional word; hearing aids are helpful
- Profoundly Deaf
- Cannot use hearing to help communication; hearing aid may help but it is limited in its ability to permit normal speech.
CAUSES
The cause of approximately 50% of hearing loss is unknown however common causes include:
- Ear infections
- Genetically inherited conditions
- Noise pollution
- Intra-uterine infections (during pregnancy) eg. rubella
- Birth trauma
POINTS TO NOTE
Hearing aids only amplify sounds they don't clarify them much. Background sounds also get amplified and this makes it difficult for the person to isolate sounds. So background noises should be kept to a minimum. Continuous loud sounds may cause headaches.
Lip reading - Try to be on the same level as the person you are speaking to as it is difficult to look up or down at a person and read their lips. Poor lighting also makes lip reading hard. The hearing impaired person's back should be towards the sun. Lengthy conversations should be kept to a minimum to avoid confusion. People who talk quickly, move their head or smile when they speak may be difficult to lip read. Beards and moustaches can make lip reading difficult. Lip reading is tiring so the person may not be as good at understanding late at night.
When giving instructions in the presence of persons with hearing impairment the following points are important for effective communication:
- Be sure you have the person's attention so they can ascertain the whole message.
- See and be seen. Position yourself where you can be seen face on, at close range and in good light. The person needs to be able to lip read and see your facial expression.
- Hand gestures and facial expressions help make the meaning clear. However, keep hands away from the face.
- Avoid background noise.
- Speak naturally and clearly.
- Keep instructions short and simple - don't use unnecessary words or long sentences.
- Check that you have been understood.
- Rephrase the message if it is not understood.
- Encourage other members of the team to learn to communicate.
- Instructors should be precise and uncomplicated with signals. Aim to give all the necessary instructions before the activity has begun, using visual aids and demonstrations where possible.
- Use demonstration as the most important cue.
- Consider environmental conditions ie. wind and sun.
- During the activity, signs such as the wave of a nag, flick of lights, or a tap on the shoulder may be required if the person is unable to hear a whistle.
- Use standard movements/body language which hearing impaired people understand.
- Be patient.
GENERAL - If you have difficulty being understood either through lip reading or a hearing aid repeat what you have said in a different way - change the phrases you used. If there is still a problem, write it down. There is a danger of social isolation because of difficulty in participating in conversations so efforts must be made to include a hearing impaired person. A profoundly deaf person may be hesitant when speaking as he is unable to hear his own voice to know if it is loud or soft.
- It may be easier for a hearing impaired person to understand instructions and explanations if visual cues are used eg. maps, charts, labels on equipment, etc.
- It is essential that visual signals between instructor and hearing impaired person and clearly understood.
