Creating an accessible, inclusive work environment should be a priority for every employer. For the millions of employees dealing with some level of hearing loss, certain adjustments and accommodations can make a dramatic difference in their ability to communicate and succeed on the job.
While many workplace accessibility initiatives focus on mobility and visual impairments, addressing hearing loss is just as important for building a diverse, multi-abled workforce. From ambient noise reduction to assistive technologies, small changes to spaces, procedures, and equipment can go a long way towards including hearing impaired professionals. With some planning and investment, employers have an opportunity to set a new standard for hearing friendly workplaces. Here are some best practices to make the workplace more accessible, safe, and comfortable for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Reduce Background Noise
High levels of ambient background noise in the workplace can make it very difficult for employees with hearing impairments to communicate effectively. Some sources of background noise such as phones ringing, printers humming, music playing, and colleagues chatting can be managed by:
- Installing acoustic panels or sound dampening materials on walls and ceilings
- Using noise cancelling headphones or providing access to quiet rooms for focused work
- Keeping volume levels of music low or using headphones
- Encouraging colleagues to be mindful of noise levels during conversations and meetings
Reducing reverberation and echo can also help as these effects distort speech and make listening more challenging. Carpets, curtains, and soft furnishings can all help absorb sound and reduce reverberation. Consider having an acoustic engineer assess the space and make recommendations for improvement.
Support Use of Assistive Listening Devices
Encouraging and enabling use of assistive listening devices makes a big difference for employees with hearing loss. Devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants and FM systems amplify sounds and minimise background noise.
- Provide induction loop systems or other assistive technology for meetings
- Allow use of personal amplifiers and closed captioning services
- Offer a communication accessories budget to purchase devices
- Train managers on how to use assistive devices provided
- Have IT support available to troubleshoot and maintain equipment
- Create reserved front row seating with hearing induction loops
Having procedures to ensure devices are working, charged, and accessible promotes usage. Provide batteries for employees to use with personal amplifiers and hearing aids.
Improve Visual Cues
Relying more on visual cues can help balance impaired hearing ability. Strategies include:
- Face the person and avoid covering your mouth when speaking
- Use written notes, captions, or text chat to supplement discussions
- Provide signage and visual alerts such as flashing fire alarms
- Use video conferencing and virtual meetings when possible
- Take advantage of speech-to-text transcription services
- Learn simple sign language gestures to aid understanding
Lighting should also be bright and consistent to ensure faces and expressions can be easily seen. Glare and shadows should be minimised.
Offer Hearing Tests
Encouraging employees to get a hearing test every few years can identify issues early and ensure employees get the right support in place. Some options are:
- Arrange visits from a mobile hearing testing unit
- Pay for employees to get tests from audiologists
- Provide in-house testing with a handheld audiometer
- Refer employees to NHS or private healthcare clinics
Tests may reveal previously undiagnosed hearing loss. Follow ups can then determine if hearing aids, cochlear implants or other accommodations are recommended. Maintain relationships with local hearing specialists for referrals.
Train Staff
Taking steps to educate all employees creates more awareness and accommodating attitudes. Training topics can cover:
- Basic facts about hearing loss and deafness
- Tips for clear communication and active listening
- How to use assistive listening devices provided
- Overview of policies to support hearing impaired staff
- Deaf culture and etiquette
- Disability awareness and unconscious bias
Refreshing training periodically ensures it remains top of mind. Courses focused on inclusion, diversity, and disability can incorporate sections on hearing loss. Consider inviting speakers with hearing impairments to share their experiences and insights.
Review Workspaces and Acoustics
Look critically at the overall workspace design and acoustics. Problems like echo and excessive reverberation can often be improved through:
- Adding sound dampening surfaces and acoustic panelling
- Installing ceiling baffles above open work areas
- Using partitions, cubicles, or dividers to muffle noise
- Covering hard surfaces like concrete floors with carpet
- Adding white noise systems to mask excessive ambient noise
For rooms used for meetings and events, additional acoustic treatment may be needed. Sound masking systems can also help provide an ambient background noise to make speech easier to understand.
Provide Quiet Spaces
Having access to quiet rooms or silent working zones can be a sanctuary for hearing impaired employees when they need relief from noise. This could include:
- Designated quiet rooms or pods for focused work
- Relaxation spaces with calming music at low volume
- Outdoor seating areas away from traffic
- Ability to work from home on short notice
These spaces allow employees to control their sound environment. Providing noise cancelling headphones in these areas is also recommended.
Review HR Policies
Update HR policies and processes to reinforce hearing accessibility. Important updates may include:
- Ensuring equal opportunity and non-discrimination statements explicitly cover hearing loss and deafness
- Adding the ability to request workplace accommodations related to hearing ability
- Protocols for testing assistive devices and room acoustics
- Guidance on enabling assistive listening technology for meetings
- Flexible work options for working away from noise
- Clear process for requesting sign language interpreters
Policies in writing demonstrate the commitment to accommodate hearing needs. Review them regularly to keep them updated.
Promote an Understanding Culture
Create a culture of patience, compassion, and understanding around hearing loss. Simple steps like speaking clearly, making eye contact, and rephrasing rather than repeating can make a big difference. Promoting awareness creates empathy. Recognize employees who go above and beyond to create an inclusive environment.
Making the workplace more hearing friendly removes barriers for employees with impairment. The adjustments often benefit all employees by reducing unwanted ambient noise. With some planning, awareness building, and investment, employers can create much more inclusive environments. A few simple changes can make it far easier for hearing impaired professionals to communicate and collaborate effectively.
