Background knowledge about Deafness

Deafness can be described as the partial or complete inability to detect certain frequencies of sound.

A hearing impairment is the result of hearing problems at any point along the auditory pathway (from outer ear to brain) and can occur in one ear (unilateral) or both (bilateral).

There are two main types of deafness. Conductive deafness is due to sound being unable to pass through either the outer or middle ear - so either the three tiny bones in the middle ear cannot pass sound waves to the inner ear or the eardrum fails to vibrate in response to sound waves. Alternatively, sensorineural hearing impairment is more severe and long lasting and may be associated with abnormalities in the cochlea and/or auditory nerve of the inner ear. A mixed hearing loss also exists.

The degree of hearing loss ranges from normal, mild, moderate, severe to profound. Deafness can be caused by hereditary disorders, genetic disorders, noise, trauma, prenatal exposure to disease, certain diseases or age-related hearing loss.  

Myths about Deafness: 

Contrary to the public opinion, not all deaf people can communicate via sign language and only some are good lip readers. Hearing aids cannot restore hearing nor cure your hearing problem because they are specially designed to aid what hearing is remaining (ie- no use if all the hair cells in the cochlea are gone). They also tend to amplify every sound that is picked up which therefore makes it harder to block out background noise and focus on the preferred sound. Deaf people are also capable of doing anything as long as it is accessible.

Accommodation

Hotels and motels should provide effective means of communications for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to equally utilise the same goods, accommodation and services that hearing people enjoy. Any requirements by people with hearing impairments should be discussed with the hotel staff on arrival and be informed of any procedures such as house keeping, room service and fire drills that may impact on their privacy and safety.  

Facilities: 

- Closed captions/subtitles must be provided upon request if there is a television in the room. Managers should also consider buying televisions with such in built devices when purchasing.  

- To allow guests with hearing disabilities access to hotel telephone services, a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) or a Teletypewriter (TTY) must be provided on request in the guest rooms. Hotel desk staff should also be trained in handling TTY equipment at the front desk for general inquiries, handling bills, taking room service or responding to other guests' calls.

Teletypewriter (TTY)
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_device_for_the_deaf

- Built in-communication features such as visual fire alarms (strobe alarms) that are connected with emergency alarm systems and visual notification devices that alert incoming phone calls and door knocks should be provided in a number of guest rooms.

Strobe alarm: Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_notification_appliance#Visual_signals 

- Conference rooms should have good quality lighting and sound systems. Installing an induction loop system is ideal for public situations because it will help those with a hearing aid reduce or cut out any background noise. The induction loop system is a cable that surrounds the room to create a magnetic field that picks up audio and feeds it into the hearing aid magnetically.

Induction Loop. Source: http://soundinduction.co.uk/pages/induction-loop-systems/

Neckloop: Source http://bf4life-hearing.weebly.com/2/post/2010/05/fight-induction-loops-vs-neck-loops.html 

This system will also help people feel less conscious about their hearing loss in contrast to using a neckloop which is a miniature version of the induction loop but hangs around the person's neck. Provision of these services that should also include sign language interpreters and/or subtitled presentations must be clearly indicated with photographs of them.

Source: http://www.betterhearing.org.au/node/16

- Hearing Ear Dogs that assist people who are hearing impaired must be allowed where guests are permitted and in areas where animals are normally not.

Public Transport

To improve transport accessibility for the Deaf and hard of hearing, both intermodal and within mode accessibility must be considered. Not every place is required or can afford to have the suggested facilities but major tourism organizations should carefully consider the following options. 

Tickets/information: All positions where there is a security screen between the ticket salesman and passenger or at information offices should have an induction loop for amplification. Many personal hearing aids have a T coil that can be switched on for direct inductive coupling with another coil in the telephone receiver or at the ticket office window. However, not all hearing aids have a T coil switch which means that telephones outside ticket booths or at help stands in bus stops should also have a button that lets the user control the amplification of received sound. The volume returns to normal when the handset is replaced. 

Security screens should also be transparent to enable lip reading and interpretation of body language. Instructions on ticket machines should be in a big font and have clear pictures. 

Bus/Train/Tram:  Visual displays showing when the next stop is should be available in all modes of public transport for a more relaxing journey. A clear price list should be visible when buying tickets on a bus or tram and all drivers should help locate the destination of the person with a hearing impairment if they are unfamiliar with the place and if there is no "next stop" sign.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can also be entitled to concession or disabled cards for discounted travel in some public transport systems.

Source: http://www.tangit.co.uk/home/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=7:disabled-persons-railcard&Itemid=12

Airport & Aircraft

Many individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing may experience unnecessary stress during their time in an airport or aircraft. One example of a stressful situation is when announcements to a change in gate or boarding time are only made over the loudspeaker and this could easily be solved by providing visual signage. To prevent similar communication access troubles, all airlines and airports should consider some of the options below, keeping in mind that providing communication accessibility to people with hearing impairments is mandatory under federal laws in countries such as Australia and USA.

Airport: 

Airports around the world are advised to not only provide hearing loops but also signage that indicates where such service exists in some airport terminals and lounges. Visual alerting systems in the form of video text or video monitors are also worth considering in order to notify those with hearing impairments of any changes to gates or boarding, departure and arrival times.

The Telecommunications for the Disabled Act in USA also requires that public coin operated and other essential telephones be compatible with hearing aids and come with volume control. Another option is to install videophone booths. 

Source: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/cat_sms_for_deafdisabilities.htm

Airplane:  

Some airline companies such as Ansett will confidentially store the details and requirements of disabled frequent flyers in their computer records to ensure a smooth travel each time with no explaining. The flyer's details can also be accessed under a number instead of their name.

Video captioning, pictures and even an individual safety briefing by a staff are required to ensure the best safety for individuals with hearing impairments. Signing in the safety video would be even more helpful since the native language of many Deaf people is sign language - not spoken. If text messaging services are unavailable during in-flight announcements then staff are required to address the person individually.

Source: http://blog.emaki.net/2008/01/graphic-safety-for-airplane-crashes.html

Standard in-flight headsets should be compatible with the T switch on most hearing aids and it is strongly recommended that subtitles be present in in-flight entertainment such as movies.

For more information on how some airlines cater for the Deaf or hard of hearing, please visit Qantas: Specific Needs - Deaf or Hearing Impaired

Tours

Travel agents are encouraged to have information about guided tours exclusively for deafblind people and any tour groups that provides communication access facilities such as hearing loops at hand. Examples of tourist organizations that cater exclusively for people with hearing impairments are Nican, PassagesDeafTravel, DeafGlobeTrottersTravel and EarthboundExpeditions. 

Popular tourist organizations should also consider sign language interpreters, captions or pamphlets during guided tours. Cruises may also like to think about interpreting services and ASL capable child-care supervisors for a more pleasurable stay for any customers who may have hearing problems.