Reflection on My Deaf Awareness Training and Feedback for My DAT Tutor

During my Deaf Awareness Training, many hearing people told me that they do not know how to use a hearing loop for questions and answers. I think it would be a good idea to create an e-learning tool for new staff and employees. This tool could explain how to use assistive listening devices, including how to arrange a remote interpreter call. It should include information about: what the service is, how deaf people access it, and why it is important.

One of the most critical issues to address is safety: smoke alarms, fire alarms, and defibrillators. We should explain how deaf people know about these alerts if they cannot hear them, and whether flashing lights or text indicators are provided. Public spaces should have clear information, for example, text instructions on defibrillator boxes. Emergency instructions should also be adapted for deaf people, such as adding “Text 999” or “BSL 999” for British Sign Language users.

Today, my main aim is to discuss the hearing loop. Many people mistakenly think all deaf people use hearing loops. This is not true; most deaf people do not use them. Hearing loops are useful only in specific situations, such as when a deaf person needs to hear something that is far away in a building where the loop is installed. In most cases, face-to-face communication works better, with the speaker wearing a microphone connected to the hearing aid receiver or transmitter.