She said an aging workforce and other factors mean that an increasing number of workers will have some level of hearing loss. In addition, many workers are in denial over their hearing loss. She estimated that for every person who admits to hearing loss, another is in denial. She said the average person with hearing loss waits seven years before getting help and hearing aids.

To demonstrate how hearing loss can affect safety training, daily communication, the ability to perceive alarms, and the ability to react in an emergency, Campbell used some audio clips of statements altered to make them sound like what a person with hearing loss would hear. As the higher frequencies are removed, the harder the statements are to understand.

Her tips for safety training included conducting the training in a quiet environment only, using training videos with captions, and communicating all information in writing as well. She also stressed that the trainer test employees on their comprehension of the material presented.

For communicating with hearing-impaired employees, Campbell recommended that you write the information down, have the employees repeat the information back to you when communicating orally, use assistive-listening devices, and get an interpreter if necessary.

Emergency planning for hearing-impaired workers should include the adoption of visual or tactile alarms, assignment of more than one buddy to assist the employee, a double-check of training, and the use of drills often, she said.

From Safety.BLR.com