There are a number of medical practitioners and allied health professionals who specialize in working with people who are Deaf or hearing impaired. Deaf and hearing specialists provide assessments for people who are Deaf or have hearing loss.
Deaf and hearing specialists include:
Ear Nose and Throat Specialists (ENT’s):
Ear, Nose and Throat specialists (Otolaryngologists or Otorhinolaryngologists) are experts at dealing with; ear infections and diseases, nose and sinus problems, and throat and neck disorders. ENT’s diagnose, monitor and treat ear, nose and throat conditions. They can perform surgery and prescribe medication.
Audiologists
Audiologists diagnose, test and treat people who have hearing, balance and other sensory related problems. They are responsible for the non-medical management of hearing loss and associated difficulties with communication. Audiologists often perform the following tasks:
- conducting audiometric testing via air and bone conduction tests to determine a diagnosis and identify treatment options. Audiometric tests can also be used to establish baseline hearing levels of workers required under occupational health and safety regulations
- provide education and advice to the person who is Deaf or hearing impaired and their families
- provide referrals to specialists, medical practitioners or other allied health professionals where appropriate
- prescribe and fit hearing aids or other devices with ongoing review and regular checkups if required.
Deaf Interpreting Services
Deaf interpreting services are available to assist persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing to facilitate communication.
Auslan is the language of the Deaf community in Australia and is short for Australian Sign Language. Auslan is based on one and two handed signs and incorporates a two handed alphabet (finger spelling).
Auslan interpreters are able to interpret Auslan into spoken English and spoken English back into Auslan.
Captioning Services
Captioning services convert spoken word and other elements such as sound effects and music to written text for television, internet and webcasts.
Captioning services allow people who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience the messages of the spoken words or sound effects, so they are able to see what they cannot hear.
National Relay Services (NRS)
The National Relay Service is an Australia wide telephone access service provided for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impediment. It is also available to anyone who wants to make a telephone call to a person with a hearing or speech impairment.
Video Relay Services (VRS)
Video Relay Services use video cameras and screens to provide sign language interpreting without an interpreter present at the same location. The interpreter interprets between the deaf and hearing person through the VRS service.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
Deaf and hearing specialists have specific roles to assist a person who is Deaf or hearing impaired to maximize their independence. They can assist in various ways such as giving a person strategies to put into place at work which will allow them to hear better. Simple strategies include:
- for the person to position themselves in the middle and towards the front of the room during meetings if hearing is similar in both ears
- for the person to position themselves with the ‘better’ ear towards the source of the sound
- minimise background noise where possible.
In some cases simple strategies may not be the solution to a person’s hearing difficulties. In these cases the Deaf and hearing specialist will organise the appropriate intervention required to maximise the person’s hearing in the workplace.
Other services to assist the deaf and hearing impaired can be found at the links below:
References:
Audiology Australia 2007, Audiological Society of Australia Inc, Melbourne, viewed 13 December 2011, http://www.audiology.asn.au/.
Australian Communication Exchange 2011, ACE Video Relay Service, Australian Communication Exchange Limited, Brisbane, viewed 13 December 2011, http://www.aceinfo.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=16.
National Relay Service (no date specified), National Relay Service, Sydney, viewed 13 December 2011, http://www.relayservice.com.au/.
Department of Human Services 2011, How Video Relay Interpreting Service works, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 13 December 2011, http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/disability/community-life-and-jobs/video-relay-interpreting-service/how-video-relay-interpreting-service-works.