Navigating natural hazards with hearing devices: lived experience challenges, insights and opportunities

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the potential impacts of natural hazards for people who use hearing devices. DESIGN: A cross-sectional online survey was used, based on the Emergency Preparedness Survey of People with Disability. STUDY SAMPLE: 124 deaf, Deaf or hard-of-hearing adults living in Australia completed the survey; of these, 114 respondents used at least one hearing device. RESULTS: Findings reveal significant dependence on hearing devices among some deaf, Deaf or hard-of-hearing people. One-third of respondents who could communicate effectively with their hearing device/s reported complete communication loss without their device; this also impacted abilities to make spoken emergency calls. Losing or damaging a device negatively impacted many respondents, who also relied on power for charging batteries and smartphones, which may control hearing devices. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing device reliance impacts how natural hazard emergencies are experienced when devices may be lost, damaged, or unable to be powered - highlighting the need for targeted emergency preparedness strategies. This study demonstrates the importance of integrating considerations for assistive devices into emergency planning and response frameworks. There are vital roles for device manufacturers and suppliers in ensuring device resilience during natural hazard emergencies, and for professionals in supporting people to develop emergency preparedness plans that reflect their reliance on and connection to their assistive devices.