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Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

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Deafness and Hearing Impairment

Snapshot

SGP KP Publishing Exported on 2026-06-17 23:43:30

SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

Table of Contents

  • Peak body consulted … page number (not provided)
  • What is deafness and hearing impairment? page numbers: [page_number]
  • Common characteristics [page_numbers]:
  • Common misconceptions about deafness and hearing impairment [page_numbers]… 5 Language and terminology [page_numbers]… Preferred terms [page_numbers]…, Description of terms [page_numbers]…. 6 Enabling social and economic participation [page_numbers]..,. 7 How can I tailor a meeting to suit people who experience Deafness or hearing impairment? […][page_numbers]. 8 Helpful links [page_numbers]…

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SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

General Information About Deafness And Hearing Impairment

The Disability Snapshots provide general information to help communicate with participants during goal-setting meetings, recognizing each individual’s unique needs. This document contains sensitive data about individuals’ preferences & experiences; it should be used internally within organizations like NDISA (National Disability Insurance Scheme Australia) rather than shared externally.

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SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

Section heading: Peak Body Consulted

Subsection:

  • In developing this resource we consulted with: deafblind Australia*, peak bodies for people* disability insurance agency. to be published in accordance with section 7(1) (a)(ii) of the Freedom of Information Act“

Deafness

Deaf refers specifically within Australian Sign Language (Auslan) culture.

Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairments vary in severity from mild to profound across all ages.

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SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

Australian Hearing

Australian Hearing is the only provider in Australia who receives government funding to deliver hearing services, including the fitting of hearing devices. For children aged up until their twenty-sixth birthday, services include:

  • Fitting hearing aids or other assistive listening technology;
  • Providing advice on how best use these technologies; And providing ongoing support for families with young people living with permanent moderate-to-severe hearing losses (including those that may be progressive). Once a child has been diagnosed as having confirmed hearing loss they are then referred to Australian Hearing.

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SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

Common Characteristics

Lack of access to communication and information is the primary barrier to inclusion and wellbeing; communication and quality of life are very closely linked. Poor access to communication and lower levels of interaction negatively impact on social emotional psychological physical well-being. Poor access to communication can lead to negative impacts such as reduced participation in society which may result into poor mental health outcomes including depression anxiety stress disorders etc., The following strategies should be considered when providing services:

  • Listening spoken language therapies with assistive hearing technologies,
  • Auslan (Australian Sign Language) used within deaf community;
  • Lip reading a specialized skill used primarily among those who have lost some or all vision due to injury illness trauma accident stroke cancer etc.; device amplification replacement sound e.g.:hearing aids cochlear implants therapy / rehabilitative supports, sound field systems captioning devices for example flashing doorbells telephones smoke alarms live captions. For more details see Appendix A: technology enabler at end this document.

#Common misconceptions about deafness and hearing impairment

  • Hearing aids or cochlear implants can significantly reduce the disabling effects of testing loss although testing loss is irreversible. the ability to hear and understanding sounds two things People who wear devices may still have difficulty in noisy environment, phone comprehending spoken language and speech. o Misconception: Testing aid Cochlear implant fix restore hearing loss.
  • For Deaf being essential part identity leads positive social emotional language developments assumption intervention needed fixing needs careful consideration each persons choice communication opportunities.o Misconception: deafness fixed.
  • Technology usually effective when combined hours learning interpret device’s sound particularly early childhood similar disability intensive therapy balanced recreation time interaction downtime.o Misconception: immediately allow a person test.
  • Auslan Australian Sign Language visual spatial has grammar rule no written form recognised as different English does not translate directly sign universal unique used Australiao Misconception just signed form Spoken English Language.
  • Lip-reading listening skills acquired through years practice training vary widely difficult complicated because many different speech looks lips (for example ‘b’, ‘p’ m’). lip reading tiring exercise requires high levels concentration irrespective age o PersonMisconception all deaf people can lip-read.

SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

Section: Terminology

Terminology is sensitive issue deaf community. NDIS Agency participants must given opportunity described themselves disability.

Preferred Terms:

  • Deaf: For Person whose first language Auslan;
  • Person Who Is Deaf And Has Other Disability/S

Description Of Terms:

By

  • Deaf (with capital ‘D’): Used by People who uses Auslan primary or preferred communication mode, identifies signing deaf community; culturally Deaf users have unique language experience like all cultural linguistic groups likely born deaf early life some discover later use it as primary language;
  • deaf(lower case) General Term describes physical condition varying degree regardless which communication they use for example devices lip reading;
  • **Hearing Impairment Refers Full Or Partial Decrease Ability Hear Commonly Describes Persons With Loss Irrespective Level Must Not Blanket Use Capital D’ Deaf Some May Prefer To Describe Their Identity But Many Find This Term Derogatory;
  • **Hard of hearing internationally preferred term used describe people with acquired loss does not imply impairment.“”“

#6 Enabling social and economic participation A person’s support needs for social and economic participation will vary depending on their strengths and level of function. Identifying potential solutions for increasing access to communication and information is critical. This could include arranging assistive technology or Auslan. To enable and maintain work, ongoing supports or adjustments at work may be needed. This might require NDIS funding for specialist disability or employment related assessment services. Alternatively the person may access external employment retention and support initiatives such as Work Assist provided by the Disability Employment Services (DES) program. Peer support from people who identify themselves as a member of the signing community or with other people who are deaf can also assist to address challenges to social and economic participation.

#7 How can I tailor a meeting to suit people who experience deafness or hearing impairment?

  • Offer various options for contacting you: email, fax,text message letter. some will nominate TTY phone contact via National Relay Service(NRS) as their preference.Ensure familiar NRS before use. o Do not telephone call as initial point.contact it important communicate with people means they find accessible most comfortable. Always ask what access needed meet this could be: audio loop live captions room with Auslan interpreters combination supports. do impose unwanted supports interpreter captioners preferences must respected.NDIS meetings often include lot info may overwhelming.Book communication support soon confirm details participant.o do not ask interpreters captioners provide advocacy other role solely interpret/caption all comm short supply Auslan interpreting demand high not all rooms have loops.Make sure meetings held quiet space well lit.do presume busy office café welcoming environment.quiet,well-lit place conversations free background noise strong light distractions Ensure clearly visible facing person o wave hands hold objects near face while speaking some read lips words.Use normal clear speech at speed.o exaggerate your speech try speak quickly don’t mumble yell clarity counts.Hearing devices (including ears) work best when receiving normal speech without background noise.some lip-read words.Look and directly speaker It always good manners look to the person talking Use plain language that is clear.rephrase if necessary.Keep saying same thing over again assume person needs intellectual disability because limited vocabulary or difficulties Hearing device might pick up every word clearly remember first-language English users of Auslan might low literacy level Have paper pen available Don’t rely on one method only.All in meeting need understand key information,support requirements outcomes next steps.

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SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

  • Ask for clarity, ask questions when needed, play-back your interpretation until mutual agreement.
    • Do NOT guess at meaning.

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SGP KP Publishing - Deafness and Hearing Impairment Snapshot

  • Deaf Australia
  • Deafness Forum of Australia
  • Aussie Deaf Kids
  • Better Hearing Australia
  • CICADA (Cochlear implantee group)
  • Parents of Deaf Children
  • Hearing Topics A-Z
  • The Meaning and Practice of Audism