Connect
← Return to Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Discussion
Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (1640)Comment receiving replies
@daveshaw I agree with you that venues, government, public, places that should have, per ADA, some sort of assistive listening system in place and/or available depending on the type of facility, and still don't. There was clarification to the ADA made in 2010 that made hearing access more clear and where it was required and in what situations. However, ADA relies on people to file complaints with the DOJ or even local authorities, in order to have their rules/laws enforced. Wheelchair ramps, elevators, handicapped stalls are all readily apparent. Unfortunatley hearing loss is the "hidden" disability. We have to be vocal, educate and advocate. As I noted in my other reply to @jdalylew, a great website to spend time reading through the information, and there a lot on the ADA as it relates to providing accommodation is, http://www.CenterForHearingAccess.org. The more we know about the ADA and what places should have it or be able to accommodate our request, them more we can speak up and first educate and if not corrected, push harder and file a complaint. Unfortunately, noisy restaurants aren't included in the ADA section dealing with hearing loss accommodation.
Replies to "@daveshaw I agree with you that venues, government, public, places that should have, per ADA, some..."
Complaints are heard, but they have to be made to be heard. Sharing frustrations is good for the spirit, but it has to go beyond that to effect change. The Center for Hearing Access is a good place to start. See comments from @h2h.
Education should begin with the healthcare industry on diagnosis of hearing loss. That includes ENTs, AUDs, PCPs & HIS. If they don't tell people about technology that is available beyond what they are recommending or selling, people have no clue there is anything that can help them hear beyond the products that are sold to them; whether that be high quality prescriptive hearing aids, or over the counter (OTC) devices.
Technology that connects us to desired sound in venues where we need to hear to participate can and should be advocated for. It pays to get people with hearing loss to come together to advocate as a group, to be seen and understood. Numbers matter. That is where HLAA comes in. HLAA provides in person support group chapters in most states. HLAA chapters start when hard of hearing people decide to form one. It takes effort and commitment. Where HLAA is most active, communication access is common. http://www.hearingloss.org
Don't just share frustrations in support groups; get out there and be involved. The Center for Hearing Access provides a great deal of information on advocacy and availability. Learn what to advocate for and get out there and do it. Here's another link to their information on filing complaints. https://centerforhearingaccess.org/ada-complaints/
Connect
@h2h Thanks for your thoughts. The key ingredient missing is that unlike other disabilities it does not allow lawyers to sue establishments. Until that becomes common and lucrative for the legal community nothing will change. If it ever does the problem would be solved in short order. Venues would complain and say it is too costly but just like with the increase in minimum wages they have been forced to pay to their employees they would adapt.
The big difference here is my making their establishments more attractive to people with hearing loss would actually enhance their profitability and quickly pay back the money they spend. They could even advertise it. People that don’t suffer hearing loss have no idea how large our community really is because if they did they would eagerly accommodate us. That and being sued with the likelihood of losing would quickly get their attention along with all the lawyers who have been suing restaurants and office buildings for years.
Hopefully the ADA puts some teeth in their guidelines. Money or the loss of it is a great motivator.
Let’s go ADA.