Health professionals and disability rights experts must recognize the crucial difference between "hearing impairment" and "hearing disability" in order to provide appropriate support and reasonable accommodations.
Hearing Impairment
Hearing impairment is a medical condition characterized by a degree of hearing loss, typically measured in decibels. It is therefore a physical characteristic that can be quantified.
Hearing Disability
Disability is an evolving concept that encompasses functional limitations and social barriers, which is imposed by society, affecting daily life, communication, information, and social interactions, and considers emotional, social, and environmental aspects of hearing loss.
Persons-centered support
Two people who have the same degree of hearing loss may experience different "levels" of exclusion, so assessments should consider age, age of onset,
cognitive abilities, communication strategies, environmental adaptations, and personal resilience. Collaboration between health professionals and disability rights experts is essential for providing individualized functional support and recommending reasonable accommodations aligned with legislation, guidelines, and policies.
Reasonable Accommodations
Assistive technology (e.g., hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM systems)
Assistive devices (e.g., captioning, loop systems, alerting devices)
Modifications or adjustments (e.g., preferential seating, note-takers)
Empowering Individuals
By understanding the distinction, health professionals and disability rights experts can provide effective support, empowering individuals who are persons with a hearing disability to fully participate in all aspects of life.
Contact us for more information and guidance on navigating disability rights and accommodations.
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