Resources Used by People with Hearing Disabilities to Cope with Emergency Situations

Abstract

Introduction:People with hearing disabilities (PwHDs) face many challenges in their everyday lives, as their environments were not designed to accommodate their needs. They may have a communication disability as well as a hearing disability. To cope, PwHDs rely on the assistance of others, their communities, technology, and personal resources. In emergency situations challenges become greater and resources scarcer.Method:This study was conducted from November 2018 through July 2020. A mixed-methods approach consisting of in-depth interviews and online quantitative surveys with PwHDs in Israel was used. The qualitative part enquired about the resources they used to cope during emergencies and the obstacles they faced. Grounded theory was used for the analysis of the findings. The quantitative part focused on their perceptions of self-efficacy, methods of communication, and accessibility of services in emergency situations. The participants were deaf or hard of hearing individuals, and those who used hearing aids and/or had a cochlear implant, as well as individuals who chose not to use them. The study excluded people over 60, because we focused on those who didn’t suffer from hearing loss caused by age. The survey was accessible in Israeli sign language using Qualtrics survey platform. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS ver.23.Results:PwHDs’ resources for coping with emergencies were identified and classified under four categories.1. Characteristics of the PwHD: type, methods of communication (sign language, read lips, speech) and accessibility of services.2. Personal resources: Independent communication and self-efficacy.3. Time of event: Daytime or nighttime.4. Characteristics of the emergency: Personal vs. collective.Conclusion:The study identified the resources PwHDs used to cope with emergencies. Results can help develop standards of accessibility for places providing services during both day and night that will allow PwHDs to communicate independently.