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Have you been struggling to hear? Maybe you recently had a bad experience in a restaurant, public building, or even at work, where you were treated differently because you couldn’t hear. When it comes to hearing loss, you might not think about your rights. You know your right to vote, to be treated fairly at work, or to be viewed equally regardless of age, gender, or race.
But did you know that you have a lot of rights as a person living with hearing loss? Since many people don’t know about the rights of those with hearing loss, it’s your responsibility to educate yourself, take charge, ask for accommodations when you need them, and exercise your rights to equal opportunities.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or the ADA, is legislation that sets regulations and standards for the equal treatment of all Americans, regardless of ability of disability levels. Everyone should be able to access the same programs and services, even if they’re struggling to hear. The ADA is a truly American act, built on the idea that every person has the right to equal opportunities to learn, work, grow, and create the life they want to have. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and calls for complete integration for all members of society. This means inclusion in public programing, accessible buildings, and equal access to employment regardless of what stereotypes people may have about those who struggle to hear.
The Right to Accessibility
Hearing loss is one of the most misunderstood disabilities and is often called an invisible disability. You can’t “see” hearing loss, and as such, many people don’t realize that those struggling to hear need extra help or accommodations. For those struggling to hear, this means you’ll have to work harder to get what you need.
If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you have the right to equal accessibility. Products and services, as well as public places, work places, government buildings, businesses, and schools need to be accessible and useable to those who are having difficulty hearing. Public transportation hubs, for example, should include accessibility feature like legible signage, or use of other technologies like text message alerts, or telecoil technology so announcements can be picked up by your hearing aid and played right into your ear, without you having to strain to hear the distorted PA announcements.
Your Rights in the Workplace
When it comes to hearing loss in the workplace, the ADA is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They combat discrimination on the jobsite, as well as during the interviewing and hiring process. They’ll also help with mediation and will launch a formal investigation if they think the ADA is not being followed.
In the workplace, you have the right to ask for accommodations like modifications to the jobsite, changes to your assigned tasks, a telephone headset, or even an assistive listening device. If you can perform your job well with accommodations, then it’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure you get that chance. It’s your responsibility to know your rights and ask for what you need.
Treating Hearing Loss
Knowing your rights when it comes to hearing loss is important. What’s even more important is seeking treatment for your hearing loss. If you’re living with hearing loss, you’ll face misunderstanding, miscommunication, and even discrimination. Living with hearing loss has also been linked to a lot of negative health outcomes, like social isolation, stress, and even depression. You’ll also experience more rapid cognitive decline, have difficulty concentrating, experience memory problems, and increase your chances of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s hard to believe that nearly 80% of those who need hearing aids never get them!
Many of the negative health outcomes of living with hearing loss, as well as much of the discrimination that accompanies hearing loss, can be alleviated by wearing a simple hearing device. At New Leaf Hearing Clinic, we work with the world’s leading hearing aid brands to bring you the best in hearing. With advanced programs and settings like speech enhancement, noise reduction, and directionality microphones, you’ll be back to hearing clearly. Visit us today for a hearing assessment, discuss your rights, and find the hearing aid that’s right for you.