Communication through a walkies talkie device at a workplace.

It was the most difficult part of my job when I was working as a School Counselor. We relied heavily on the walkie talkies. It was the best way to track one of us down since we were always moving around campus (myself, admin, our school resource officer). It was a way for the front office to communicate with us as well. The hardest part for me was when I was around noise (in the gym during pep rallies, when students transitioned from class to class, cafeteria, background noise). Also, since I have a sensorineural hearing loss it was difficult to determine WHAT they were saying as opposed to hearing them. Sometimes, someone would say something into the walkie talkie and I wasn't sure if they were calling me or someone else. It was very embarassing and I tried to laugh it off at times, but sometimes, it was just downright humiliating. Everyone tried to speak clearly for me but with a sensorineural loss, even that doesn't always help. I would always have to make sure I was holding it on my "good" side, which is my left since my right ear is pretty shot. So, to be ahead of the game sometimes, I would call the office from a phone when I was in a classroom or certain location to let them know where I was at. Phones were always easier for me vs walkie talkies. Didn't like the walkie talkies at all.

For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, utilizing walkie talkies in noisy environments presents challenges due to difficulties in auditory reception. Potential solutions involve incorporating visual cues, vibration alerts, or assistive technologies like text displays. However, implementing these technicals solution can be complex due to device limitations and the necessity for specialized modifications, posing significant challenges in practical application.