Hearing Loss Simulation & Assistive Listening Devices

What does deafness sound like?

While no one can fully understand the experience of hearing loss without living it. We hope this simulation will give you some insight into what hearing loss is like. On this page are some other resources that are available to help those with hearing loss. Of special note are the Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) which are available in many of MSU's meeting spaces and classrooms.

Hearing Loss Simulation

Transcript

[Introduction]

The following interview with Eric Gentile and Judy Taylor was aired on the WKAR program, "Viewpoints for Action" in 1979. During the interview, we will demonstrate how various levels of hearing loss affect the ability to understand the text. For your convenience, a transcript of the original recording is displayed nearby, a convenience that those with hearing loss often do not have available. Please note, the term "handicapper" is not currently considered an appropriate moniker for people with physical disabilities but was considered appropriate and proper at the time even among those with physical disabilities.

[Played at Without Filters]

The interview starts without any filters applied.

[Eric Gentile] That's not just limited to a select little minority. This happens to everybody at all times. Race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual preference, whatever. You're not, You're not excluded. We really don't discriminate. We take everybody.

[Filtered to Simulate Mild Hearing Loss]

The following section is adjusted to resemble mild hearing loss as may be expected due to aging or occasional exposure to loud noises.

And because of that, I think the trauma that injury can produce in a person is far greatly magnified by this ignorance, by the fact that they haven't ever been approached with the issue,

[Filtered to Simulate Moderate Hearing Loss]

The next portion of the recording is adjusted to simulate a moderate hearing loss which could be expected due to regular exposure to loud noises, aging, or certain medical or congenital conditions.

and that's one of the great things about this series, this TV show, that you do... bring it to the awareness of the public, so they know a little bit about what's life like on the other side. And do I have a future and so on.

[Filtered to Simulate Severe Hearing Loss]

This excerpt is adjusted to approximate a severe, but not complete hearing loss. It is barely audible, and many people may hear only silence.

[Host: Ronda] Judy, you mentioned in the first half of the show that you had problems trying to find... finding a house that met your needs. Could you be a little more specific with the needs that must be met?

[Played Without Filters]

The recording now returns to normal volume levels without any simulation filters.

[Judy Taylor] Well, first of all, I...the issue that I'm really concerned about because there's a great controversy concerning the code, and that is, you know, what is an accessible entrance?

Um. Being a quadriplegic, I especially have difficulties with backdoor routes to my housing and have to go into a, up an isolated approach whether I know other people around because I am, I do frequently... utilize the assistance of other individuals. And where there's doors the main approach where everybody is going in and out constantly. There's always people around to hold the door open in case I need that assistance.

The remainder of the interview is not played in this sound dome excerpt; Listen to the full Eric Gentile interview

Can you be deaf without being Deaf?

The hearing-impaired community is not a monolith; the individual experience of each person shapes their identity, needs, and preferences. Someone who is born deaf may feel more comfortable using sign language, whereas someone who lost their hearing later in life may prefer text-to-speech communication. Among those who are hearing impaired, some differentiate between those who are involved in the Deaf culture and those who are deaf. In many contexts, Deaf (big D) refers to a distinct culture, with distinct its own distinct cultural characteristics. On the other hand, deaf (little d) is often used as a synonym for severe hearing loss. Medically, deafness (little d) is partial or complete hearing loss.

Audio description

Assistive listening devices

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) help amplify the sounds that want to be heard for individuals with hearing difficulties, especially in spaces where there is a lot of background noise such as auditoriums and classrooms. These devices use a receiver and work in conjunction with personal sound amplifiers such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and headphones. To be used, the room/space must be equipped with an assistive listening system that utilizes one of a variety of technologies including telecoils, FM radio, infrared light, and Bluetooth. Spaces that do have a system installed are typically marked by a sign that includes the international symbol of access for hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Simulation & Assistive Listening Devices

What does deafness sound like?