Jonathan Taylor, PhD, President of the New York City Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America.
People with hearing loss have widely varying needs and challenges, and accommodations such as captioning, clear face masks, and general awareness can greatly improve quality of life. This was the message of Jonathan Taylor, PhD, President of the New York City Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), during a virtual talk hosted by the Mount Sinai Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). The talk can be viewed here. Click the “cc” button for closed captions.
“People are always eager to help, but may not always understand the needs of those with hearing loss,” Mr. Taylor said in the session, “Living a Full Life With Hearing Loss,” which was part of the Raising Disability Awareness Virtual Talk Series. The series, launched by ODI in 2020 for Disability Awareness Month, featured speakers from around the Mount Sinai Health System as well as the community to raise awareness and promote an inclusive and equitable work place and health care environment for people with disabilities.
Mr. Taylor’s hearing loss stemmed in part from his career as a freelance classical trombonist. The loud sounds from the trombone progressively affected Mr. Taylor’s hearing abilities. Eventually, Mr. Taylor had to stop performing, but he continues his passion for music by doing administrative work with orchestras. He also earned a doctorate in developmental psychology and has built a career in educational research.
Clear masks may be used for effective communication with people who are hard of hearing. Above, Maura Cosetti, MD, Director of the Ear Institute at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, consults with a patient.
As a strong advocate for people living with hearing loss, Mr. Taylor discussed the social and medical effects of hearing loss. Aside from social isolation, which could lead to depression and dementia, hearing loss may have other health implications, he said. For example, older adults with hearing impairment are twice as likely to fall due to balance issues related to the inner-ear.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also presented new challenges for the hearing loss community. Many people who experience hearing loss depend on reading lips. Wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, however, has made it impossible to read lips. Mr. Taylor stressed the value in using clear masks during this time to address this issue.
The Patient Experience team at Mount Sinai did an initial distribution of Clear Masks™—approved by the FDA and Mount Sinai Infection Prevention and Control—to raise awareness at all eight hospitals, and notified nursing leaders of the availability of these masks. Materials Management made sure to keep an adequate inventory to supply units that request additional clear masks. The use of clear masks for effective communication with patients who are hard of hearing was also included in training sessions related to Patient Safety, ADA Awareness, and mandatory Annual Core Education.
Resources and Information
Establishing and fortifying partnerships with public and private programs, as well as providing closed captioning, hearing loops (a sound system that transmits to hearing aids and cochlear implants), and educating clinical staff on the importance of using transcription apps during medical visits are all ways to enhance access for people with hearing loss. The HLAA’s mission, according to Mr. Taylor, is “to serve as an extension of the national organization by promoting the philosophy of self-help while specifically addressing access advocacy, awareness, and education.” More information about the Hearing Loss Association of America can be found on its site.
The Ear Institute at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is a close partner with the community and HLAA, says Maura Cosetti, MD, Director of the Institute, adding that staff from the Institute were recently invited to address Mr. Taylor’s chapter on the relationship between hearing and balance. More information about hearing loss support is available here.
Additional disabilities-related resources are available on the Mount Sinai Office for Diversity and Inclusion site.