When communicating in large group settings such as meetings, conferences, seminars, lectures, open plan offices or social events for work, the potentially large amount of noise from surrounding conversations, equipment, music and movement of people can make it very difficult to hear clearly. If a person is unable to hear clearly then they are unlikely to be able to understand fully, and therefore may be unable to carry through with instructions or benefit from training. This can then impact on productivity, work performance and safety.
It is therefore essential when communicating with or within large groups of people, that the essential information is obtained by all staff, including those who are hard of hearing or Deaf.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, training and staff meetings can be a particularly difficult time to obtain information. Consider the following strategies at work to ensure information is clear for all employees:
- distribute written notes summarising staff training presentations
- use visual displays during training or meetings such as through the use of PowerPoint
- when presenting training to multiple staff, ensure the person with hearing impairment is seated close to the presenter so they can see the presenters face and whiteboard or screen clearly
- presenters to ensure they are positioned in good light
- aim to reduce as much background noise as possible, for instance, close doors and turn off music
- have written agendas for meetings and distribute meeting minutes following completion to ensure confirmation of discussions and any actions to be taken
- allow for repetition or rephrasing of questions
- request that only one person speaks at a time
- if presenting videos or DVD's consider the use of captions
- consider the use of assistive listening devices, induction loops, hearing aids and directional microphones
- consider the use of an interpreter for those communicating via Auslan through funding assistance from the Employment Assistance Fund or the use of Real Time Captioning (CART).
Funding is available for Auslan interpreters to be used within the workplace for interviews, inductions and staff training and development. Funding is also available for use of CART:
Social interaction within the workplace can make work more enjoyable, but is also essential in developing good working relationships and staff morale. This can include chatting in the lunch room or by the photocopier, drinks after work or specially organised social functions. In these situations when communicating with someone who is hard of hearing or Deaf:
- ensure they can see your face when communicating
- talk at a normal pace in a normal voice, don’t shout
- be prepared to rephrase or repeat what you have said if required
- minimise background noise
- gain attention first
- if in doubt, ask each individual with a hearing impairment how they best communicate
- use email for updates on what is happening in the office, for instance, resignations, promotions, holiday leave, engagements and marriages
- Funding assistance is now available through the Employment Assistance Fund for Deaf Awareness Training within the workplace, along with funding for co workers of a deaf worker, who communicates via Auslan, to attend an appropriate training organisation to learn Auslan and therefore facilitate communication within the workplace.
Those who are hard of hearing should consider regular assessment to ensure appropriate management and the most suitable hearing aids, if required, are being used within your work environment:
Equipment is available to assist in providing the most suitable workplace environment to assist people who are Deaf or hard of hearing converse with many people. This includes:
References
Australian Hearing 2010, Communication tips, Australian Government Department of Human Services, Sydney, viewed 23 April 2010, http://www.hearing.com.au/communication-tips.
Better Health Channel 2009, Hearing loss: Communicating at work, Victorian Government, Melbourne, viewed 23 April 2010, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hearing_loss_communicating_at_work?open.
Better Health Channel 2009, Hearing loss: Workplace tips for managers, Victorian Government, Melbourne, viewed 23 April 2010, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hearing_loss_workplace_tips_for_managers.