March 2011 Department of Children & Families March 2011

Department of Children & Families Our Responsibility Effective Communication HHS Agreement Assistive Listening Device (ALD) 2

March 2011 Department of Children & Families In This Training… Basic Facts Tips Instruction 3

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Effective Communication Auxiliary Aid Plan Ask Customer/Companion Communication Assessment and Auxiliary Aid/Service Record form Single Point-of-Contact Critical Partner for ALD or Service To best serve our customers and their companions who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, it is important that we all understand their needs 4

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Basic Facts Sense of hearing is nonfunctional, with or without assistive technology Communication is visual Congenital or acquired Qualified/Certified Interpreter DEAF 5

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Basic Facts Mild to profound One or both ears Prefer to communicate orally Body language Amplification HARD-OF-HEARING 6

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Basic Facts Hearing loss that began into or after adolescence Moderate to profound May have hearing aids Occurs suddenly or gradually over the years Similar needs to Hard-of-Hearing Prefers oral communication Assistive Listening Device LATE-DEAFENED 7

March 2011 Department of Children & Families TIPS: Recognition Visible hearing aid Strain to hear Squinting or looking intensely at your face Leaning in when you speak Cocking their head to one side Cupping their palm around their ear Ask to repeat Not responding to questions appropriately 8

March 2011 Department of Children & Families TIPS: Misconceptions Hearing aids restore hearing People will tell you if they cant hear you Speech-reading replaces the need for an interpreter or other accommodation Respect allows you to move beyond stereotypes and deal with the persons need for communication 9

March 2011 Department of Children & Families TIPS: Levels of Hearing Loss People dont necessarily lose hearing in all pitches equally High or low tones Background noise 10

March 2011 Department of Children & Families TIPS: Communication Sensitivity Courtesy Common sense Shared responsibility Respectfully ask Do whatever works in your situation to help both of you communicate more effectively -Modified from "Deaf & Hearing People: Working Together," National Technical Institute for the Deaf Center, Center on Employment 11

March 2011 Department of Children & Families TIPS: Show You Care… Ask the person how to get his or her attention (tap on shoulder, waving) Get the person's attention before you speak Avoid noisy background situations Be sure that your face can be clearly seen No objects in your mouth (gum, cigarettes, or food) Speak clearly and at a moderate pace 12 -Modified from "Deaf & Hearing People: Working Together," National Technical Institute for the Deaf Center, Center on Employment

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Light sources (windows and artificial lighting) should be on your face and not behind your head Use facial expressions and gestures Let your listener know if and when the topic changes Rephrase dont repeat TIPS: Show You Care… 13 -Modified from "Deaf & Hearing People: Working Together," National Technical Institute for the Deaf Center, Center on Employment

March 2011 Department of Children & Families TIPS: Show You Care… Don't shout Talk to not about Ask for suggestions to improve communication Encourage questions for clarification Be patient, positive, and relaxed 14 -Modified from "Deaf & Hearing People: Working Together," National Technical Institute for the Deaf Center, Center on Employment

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Indoors away from distracting noises Meeting room at the end of hallway or less traffic Turn off distractions that you can control Close the door Empty rooms with hard walls Person with a hearing loss should sit with their back against the wall - helps reduce interference 15 TIPS: Reducing Background Noise

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Group Situations and Meetings Layout ALDs or Amplifying system set up and ready Quiet, well-lit room Before Choose their seating preference Watch for signals to speak Ensure that one person speaks at a time Speak clearly and slowly Do not talk with your back to the audience During Notes taken for future reference Review critical issues to ensure understanding After 16

March 2011 Department of Children & Families What is an Assistive Listening Device (ALD)? Use with or without hearing aids Can improve hearing in the presence of background noise, listening on the phone or to television and improve hearing at a distance Less stress and fatigue Improved hearing Any type of amplification device that can communicate more effectively 17

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Department ALDs Motiva Personal FM Listening Device Pocketalker 18

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Instructions: Pocketalker Best for one-to-one Ear buds or headphones Amplify sound 10 feet or less Check and demonstrate Test for improvement Return for next use 19

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Instructions: Motiva Personal FM Listening System Large groups/meetings Amplifies sound Transmitter, microphone, receivers, ear buds/headphone 10 feet or more Works properly Test for improvement Return for next use 20

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Additional Resources 21 DCF Internet:

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Summary Auxiliary Aids Plan Single Point-of-Contact ALDs Effective Communication Sensitivity, Courtesy and Common Sense How and when to use ALDs 22

March 2011 Department of Children & Families Congratulations! You have completed the DCF Use of Assistive Listening Devices training. 23