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Hearing Loss and Daily Life –

Assistive Technology Solutions

National Rehabilitation HospitalNational Rehabilitation Hospital

December 6th 2012

Brendan Lennon

DeafHear

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Mission Statement Summary

• Develop and provide services and supports directly to Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families.Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families.

• Encourage others to provide services fully accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families.

• Strive to make public and private sector organisations, and society at large, more Deaf aware.

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• Deafness in itself is not a barrier to leading a

full and independent life.

• Deafness impacts on communication.• Deafness impacts on communication.

• Assistive Technology is vital.

• First…some information about deafness…

Facts About Deafness • Just over one child per thousand is born with

a significant bilateral hearing loss.

• Approximately one in seven people have a • Approximately one in seven people have a hearing loss!

• Hearing loss/deafness may range from mild to profound.

• It is bad for your health!

One in Seven!

+ 50 Years, 1.1m, 26.5% + 70 Years, 325k, 7.7%

Degree of Hearing Loss Numbers Percentage Numbers Percentage

Some kind of Hearing Loss 467,897 41.7% 230,740 71.1%

Mild Hearing Loss 242,362 21.6% 86,649 26.7%

Moderate Hearing Loss 188,504 16.8% 119,427 36.8%Moderate Hearing Loss 188,504 16.8% 119,427 36.8%

Severe Hearing Loss 30,295 2.7% 20,445 6.3%

Profound Hearing Loss 6,732 0.6% 4,219 1.3%

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Impact of Hearing Loss

• Lowest rates of social participation of any disability group of older persons (NCAOP, 2008).

• 2.5 times the rate of depression (Saito et al, 2010)

• Double the rate of dementia for mild hearing loss

• Three times the rate of dementia for moderate hearing loss.

• Five times the rate of dementia for severe hearing loss (Lin et al, 2011).

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• People wait an average of ten years before

seeking intervention.

• Half of all hearing loss is preventable.

• Today, young people are damaging their • Today, young people are damaging their

hearing more than ever before.

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Now some Technology!

• Assistive Technology is critical in overcoming barriers to communication. Hearing Aids are the single most important piece of technology.

• New technology such as email, text and video • New technology such as email, text and video streaming has brought news/info in real-time to Deaf/Hard of Hearing people.

• AT important for H & S, communication and independence at home, in workplace and in wider community.

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Assistive Technology (Deaftech)

• Make it Loud

Make it Shake• Make it Shake

• Make it Flash

• Make it Spooky (electro-magnetic)

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I am a profoundly deaf man in my late 20s with two hearing aids. I have recently started a job in an IT company and am expected to take part in conference calls. It is a necessary requirement as we would be dealing with multiple team members in a variety of locations both in Ireland and abroad. I have difficulty hearing the actual conference call (speaker phone set-up in middle of room) and often have to rely on my colleagues to clarify what is being said. Accents and quick dialogue colleagues to clarify what is being said. Accents and quick dialogue make it difficult for me to follow the call. The problem here is quality as opposed to loudness of phonecall.

In other respects I am finding straightforward enough to communicate etc. I have an artone loop for my mobile and generally people contact me by email/text. The conference call is the only issue.

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Induction Loop systems can be of great assistance in

the home, workplace and wider community.

The loop can cut out background noise, reduce

reverberation and so improve sound quality.reverberation and so improve sound quality.

Loop Systems are included in Part M for public

buildings.

Here is an example of one in action:

http://www.deafhear.com/dhvt/005.html

IRIS: Irish Remote Interpreting Service Remote Interpreting in ISL

Interpreter Deaf Person

Service Provider

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Text Access to Emergency Services

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Some points to consider...

• Assistive technology is under-utilised.

• There is a lack of awareness of hearing loss, deafness

& assistive technology.& assistive technology.

• The outcome is significant in terms of human and

economic cost.

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• Technology does not work in isolation: it needs to be

used correctly!

This video illustrates the importance of technology and This video illustrates the importance of technology and

the need to use the technology properly!

http://www.deafhear.com/dhvt/002.html

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Assistive Technology ͠ Access

Thank You