Sound that is communicated through audio devices such as radios, televisions, computers and speakers can be poor in quality, contain interference and be misheard due to distractions especially in group settings for those that are hard of hearing or deaf.
A range of equipment is now available to improve this sound quality.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
A range of equipment solutions are available to improve access to audio devices:
Telephones
- TTY—telephone typewriters are available to allow Deaf people to communicate via the telephone through a combination of typing and reading messages, rather than through hearing and speaking. If a TTY machine is unavailable, the national TTY relay service can relay messages on your organisation's behalf. Their contact number is 13 36 77
- telephone amplification options are available to assist those that are hard of hearing to adjust ring volume and the loudness of the speakers voice
- mobile phones—SMS or text communication via telephone (now available on some home phones as well as mobiles) as well as video phones allowing sign language via the telephone
- facsimilie—still in use to communicate via written documents and eliminate need for hearing
Computer
- Email and video conferencing (via Auslan) to eliminate the need for hearing in a conversation
Captioning
- Captioning and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services—this involves the transcription of speech into text usually onto a computer (and may be projected onto a screen) or by written notes immediately after being spoken. It is a technique that can be utilised either in small group situations or at large conference or seminars:
Television
- television caption decoders (telextext)—closed captions or subtitles display dialogue and other audio information such as music and sound effects. They allow a person who is Deaf or hearing impaired to watch television or presentations and understand what characters are saying, know when there is music and experience sound effects:
- earphones or headphones can be plugged directly into the television if watching alone to ensure sound is transmitted directly to the ear
- television amplifiers can be used if watching television with other people (and doesn’t affect the volume for them). A microphone is attached to the TV speakers and connected to earphones or a neckloop that transmits signals to the hearing aid
- induction loops—the 'T' switch or telecoil on a hearing aid can be activated and allow transmission of sound from the TV via a neckloop direct to the aid. They help to eliminate background noise and improve speech/noise clairty
- infraread systems are small transmitters that are used to convert sound into infra red light waves which are picked up by individual headsets with volume controls. the headsets can be connected to hearing aids. These can also be used to hear TV and radio
Large Group environments
- induction loops—can be used with a hearing aid (with ‘T’ switch activated) to hear sound transmitted direct to their hearing aid such as in conferences, seminars or entertainment venues as long as sitting within the specified magnetic field of the loop system. See the induction loops link for more information.
- FM Listening systems—in small group settings such as a small training environment, the FM system can assist. The speake wears a lapel microphone or transmitter and a receiver is worn by the listener that is hard of hearing. This system is very portable
- infrared systems—see above
Hearing aids
- A hearing aid is an electronic, battery operated device that amplifies and changes sound to allow for improved communciation. Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone, which then converts the sound waves to electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of the signals and then sends the sound to the ear through a speaker (Australian Hearing 2005; WA Deaf Society 2006). See link below for more information:
Other job requirements or solutions
References
Australian Hearing 2005, Communication tips, Australian Government Department of Human Services, Sydney, viewed 26 July 2007, < http://www.hearing.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=227&languageId=1&contentId=-1>.
Australian Hearing 2005, FM Systems, Australian Government Department of Human Services, Sydney, viewed 3 August 2007, <http://www.hearing.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=107&languageId=1&contentId=-1>.
Australian Hearing 2005, Assistive Listening Devices, Australian Government Department of Human Services, Sydney, viewed 3 August 2007, < http://www.hearing.com.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=108&languageId=1&contentId=-1>.
WA Deaf Society Inc. 2006, Providing Accessible Services and Facilities for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, WA Deaf Society Inc., Perth, viewed 13 July 2007, <http://wadeaf.onlinepublicity.net/media/docs/Providing_accessible_services_brochure2006.pdf>.