DYI - God speaks clearly, but I can't hear the Pastor by clbcommunications

Hearing loss is hard to spot. Without guidance, blind people bump into things. Wheelchair occupants encounter obvious barriers. They need help and generally ask for it. But people with a hearing loss have an invisible disability. Hearing aids can be difficult to see. Furthermore, hard of hearing people (as opposed to the deaf) are curiously reluctant to discuss their hearing loss and ask for help.

In a congregation of 500 members, if 150 of the members are age 50 or older, then statistically 40 of them will have a hearing loss. The percentage rises as their years rise, eventually reaching 50% and more by age 75

Sometimes you need to do detective work to find who needs help. They often do not ask for assistance because the barriers of ignorance, fear and humiliation seem too high and wide to be surmounted. Thus we have a group of people who, depending on their degree of hearing loss, cannot hear the sermons, cannot function well in large meetings or even small ones, and experience isolation in social situations—sometimes to the point of giving up and staying home. 

What signs might be clues that a person is hard of hearing?

1. They don’t respond when you speak, only when you get their attention.
2. They give “way out” answers or ask “way out” questions or don’t respond at all.
3. They listen with a blank expression and don’t connect with you.
4. They laugh artificially when a joke is told.
5. They make ambiguous, “one size fits all” responses during chitchat.
6. They become reclusive.
7. They tend to dominate the conversation.

When faced with a choice about whether or not to attend an event, I always consider access. I try to find out what is provided before I make a decision. It is very helpful if the venue provides that information without my having to track it down. 

How can your church’s hearing access be publicized?

1. Have large signs and/or a statement in the program about what the church provides.
2. Use box advertisements in the local newspaper.
3. Include hearing access information when announcing meetings or social events.
4. Include hearing access information when the church is sponsoring an event.

When a person has a new hearing loss, either sudden or caused gradually by aging, it is imperative that an event planner let them know ahead of time that they will be able to participate. Many of them, especially those who are older, lack the energy and perseverance to pursue the information on their own.

You have an opportunity to give comfort, even joy, for a group that, by and large, has been ignored, because you didn’t know and they didn’t inform you that they needed help. Blessings to you in your mission of glorifying God and helping people with a hearing loss to glorify God with you.

FOUR WAYS TO HELP
How to help people with a hearing loss even when they don’t ask:

1. Educate yourself about challenges facing the hard of hearing.
2. Identify people with a hearing loss, and help them learn of ways to help themselves. Assure them that you are available to help.
3. Get the person’s attention before speaking.
4. Keep the person informed of the topic, either verbally or with a note.

TEN THINGS TO CHANGE
In the worship service and other church gatherings:

1. Provide copies of the sermon; make it easily available for worshipers.
2. Provide copies of plays, skits and special music so at least the words are understood.
3. Provide a listening system and publicize it at the entrance in a prominent way.
4. Educate ushers and people running the sound system (often the best place to store the individual units for listening systems) so they are able to assist any hard of hearing people who attend.
5. Minimize resonant acoustics.
6. Minimize ambient music which distracts the listener.
7. Use a wireless microphone during large meetings. Ask each speaker to use it.
8. Educate speakers and moderators to repeat questions and comments from the floor.
9. During prayer meetings, use a microphone to repeat prayer requests and subjects.
10. When videos are shown, advocate for subtitles to be provided and then make use of them. If subtitles are not available, use a computer to highlight the main points.

Kathryn Bakke travels throughout the country sharing her musical gift and hearing loss expertise. She is a member of the National Speakers Association. Visit her website: www.kathrynbakke.com