B.S. Speech Pathology, M.S. CCC-A, Audiology UW Graduate , State License A933 Educational Consultant, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Outreach
Objectives for today
Learn about hearing loss Transitioning to the workplace Learn about workplace challenges for HI
employees/employers
What is effective
communication? What resources are available
Hearing vs. Understanding
Guiding Documents Accessibility Civil Rights Act of 1964discrmination Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Americans with Disabilities Act (& Amendments) Specifically Title II
Identification of HL In Wyoming 98% of
newborns screened-HA 6 months/CI 1 y.o CDC screen Schools screen Hearing loss is as unique as each person.
FAMILIAR SOUNDS AUDIOGRAM Frequency;
Pitch; Hertz (Hz)
Low frequency-
vowels High frequencyconsonants Power vs. understanding 500-4000 Hz most critical for understanding speech
Poor S/N Good S/N
Signal Power to Noise Power
+15 to +20 decibel S/N is ideal
Brain-Hearing
Brain- Reading
Words Have Multiple Meanings
She is running to the store. My nose is running. The refrigerator is running. Did you leave the computer program
running? Amber is running four miles today. I keep running into you!
500,000 Words in the
English Language The child that begins kindergarten with 5,000 words should finish high school knowing 90,000-100,000 words
English Language
Learning to Read vs Reading to Learn
Spelling Test Number your paper from 1 to 10.
1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
Spelling Words through Simulated
Hearing Loss above 1000 Hz 125
250
500
1000
2000
4000
8000
0 HEARING LEVEL (dB HL)
z v
30 40 50 60
2. 3.
10 20
1.
j md n nb geu i
l o ar
p h g ch sh
70
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
80 90 100 110 120
AUDIOGRAM OF FAMILIAR SOUNDS
FREQUENCY IN CYCLES PER SECOND (HZ)
10. Click on Speaker to Present Spelling word.
125
250
500
1000
2000
4000
8000
1. Shoe 2. Tree
0 10
HEARING LEVEL (dB HL)
20
z v p
30 40 50
j mdb n ng e i u
f th s h
ch l o ar
g sh
60 70
3. Math 4. Desk 5. Snack 6. Miss 7. Test 8. Thumb 9. Fish
80 90 100 110
10. Spill
120
AUDIOGRAM OF FAMILIAR SOUNDS
FREQUENCY IN CYCLES PER SECOND (HZ)
Click on Speaker to Present Spelling word.
Signal Power to Noise Power
+15 to +20 decibel S/N is ideal
Expectations are everything Type of HL Age of identification Age at intervention Language supports i.e.
AV, ASL etc.
Effective Communication Dependent on the history
of the person Dependent on primary mode of communication Is as variable as each individual person-HI individual is the expert
at age 16 Student can start earlier Invited agencies e.g. DVR invited Transition workshops with DHH/WDE-have them write
From interview to hire
Not required to disclose HL If accommodations are
needed should disclose in
their best interest Person should know what is needed Clear job description
Employment
Why is it in their best
interest to disclos HL?????? HL can make the person appear aloof, offputting etc. Need to be held accountable for job performance including communication
Mismatch in the workplace Realistic performance Liability for employer-e.g.
dispatcher Spoken language Co-workers Effectiveness of HI employee Safety of employee and others
My Wish List Realistic discussion of job
performance Access to technology i.e. HAs, CIs and BAT Advocacy taught early in life-IEP goals Employers that understand hearing loss All people with disabilities find successful employment not just HI
Miscellaneous Wyoming Relay Handout Funding for devices Employers can inquire about the ability of the
applicant to perform essential functions
15 or more employees-known disabilityreasonable accommodations unless undue hardship(difficulty or expense) Tax credit may be available to offset cost of compliance Job Accommodation Network reports that 50% of accommodations cost employers nothing
