Experiences of People Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing During Emergencies in OECD Countries: A Scoping Study

Abstract

This scoping study integrates research on the experiences of deaf, Deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) people during extreme weather events and other emergencies in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. The review identified 48 articles published between January 2005 and August 2024. Data charting and inductive analysis of these articles identified three factors that influence access to and participation in communication during emergencies: (1) emergency warnings, alerts, and announcements; (2) the emergency sector response; and (3) emergency preparedness. There are opportunities to leverage capabilities and facilitators to address common barriers and support increased accessibility and inclusion for DHH people before, during, and after emergencies. These include ensuring that warnings and alerts are provided in multiple formats and channels; providing training for first responders in communicating with DHH people; including the diverse needs of DHH people in emergency plans at all levels; and ensuring that training and educational materials are accessible and relevant to DHH people. There are roles for DHH community organizations and the hearing care sector to link DHH individuals with information, education, and training provided by the emergency sector. For many DHH people who do not have connections with support organizations or other DHH people, the hearing care sector may be the only linkage point between their deafness or hearing difficulties, their hearing devices, and their personal emergency awareness and preparedness.

Keywords

Audiology / Deaf / Disasters / Emergencies / Hard-of-hearing / Hearing sector / Natural hazards

References

[1] Abdulhalim, I., C. Mutch, V.A. Gonzalez, and R. Amor. 2021. Improving post-earthquake evacuation preparedness for deaf and hard of hearing children: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 62: Article 102360.

[2] Access Economics. 2006. Listen hear! The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia.www.deafnessforum.org.au/wp-content/uploads/documents/research_publications/listen_hear_-_the_economic_impact_and_cost_of_hearing_loss_in_australia.pdf. Accessed 16 Aug 2024.

[3] Arena SK, Wilson CM, Boright L, Reed J, Shriver W, Castillo-Trigilio J, Nolff S. Outcomes of home emergency physical readiness education for older adults. Home Healthcare Now, 2024, 42(4): 206-218.

[4] Arksey H, O’Malley L. Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2005, 8: 19-32.

[5] Ashley EM. Waking effectiveness of emergency alerting devices for the hearing able, hard of hearing, and deaf populations. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 2007, 68(4-B): 2478

[6] Bat-Chava Y. Diversity of deaf identities. American Annals of the Deaf, 2000, 145(5): 420-428.

[7] Bonventre, C., S. Lloyd, I. Boisvert, J. Campos, M. Friedner, R. Kolb, C. Yhun Lo, M. Mills, and K. Neal. 2023. Reassessing what matters in experiences with cochlear implants. Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada. https://nyuscholars.nyu.edu/ws/portalfiles/portal/457743935/Reassessing_what_matters_in_experiences.pdf. Accessed 19 Aug 2024.

[8] Bruck D, Thomas IR. Smoke alarms for sleeping adults who are hard-of-hearing: Comparison of auditory, visual, and tactile signals. Ear and Hearing, 2009, 30(1): 73-80.

[9] Bryan, V.C., G. Penney, L. Andrews, and M.R. Russo. 2014. Empirical study using alternative early warning systems to address fire in the homes of deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. In Handbook of research on education and technology in a changing society, ed. V.C.X. Wang, 367–379. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

[10] Calgaro, E., N. Craig, L. Craig, D. Dominey-Howes, and J. Allen. 2021. Silent no more: Identifying and breaking through the barriers that d/Deaf people face in responding to hazards and disasters. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 57: Article 102156.

[11] Choi, M., S. Lee, S. Hwang, M. Park, and H.S. Lee. 2020. Comparison of emergency response abilities and evacuation performance involving vulnerable occupants in building fire situations. Sustainability 12(1): Article 87.

[12] Commonwealth of Australia Department of Social Services. 2021. Australia’s disability strategy 2021–2031. www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-australias-disability-strategy-2021-2031. Accessed 16 Aug 2024.

[13] Cooper AC, Cooke ML, Takayama K, Sumy DF, McBride S. From alert to action: Earthquake early warning and deaf communities. Natural Hazards, 2024, 120: 13573-13594.

[14] Cripps JH, Cooper SB, Austin EN. Emergency preparedness with people who sign: Toward the whole community approach. Journal of Emergency Management, 2016, 14(2): 101-111.

[15] Elmannai W, Wang Y, Aliaj E, Chowdhury A, Khehra R, Yildi D, Soria S. FRIES: First response interactive emergency system for the visually and hearing impaired. Information Technology in Industry, 2020, 8(2): 21-33

[16] Engelman A, Ivey SL, Tseng W, Neuhauser L. Risk perception and perceived self-efficacy of deaf and hard-of-hearing seniors and young adults in emergencies. Journal of Emergency Management, 2017, 15(1): 7-15

[17] Engelman A, Craig L, Iles A. Global disability justice in climate disasters: Mobilizing people with disabilities as change agents. Health Affairs, 2022, 41(10): 1496-1504.

[18] Engelman, A., S.L. Ivey, W. Tseng, D. Dahrouge, J. Brune, and L. Neuhauser. 2013. Responding to the deaf in disasters: Establishing the need for systematic training for state-level emergency management agencies and community organizations. BMC Health Services Research 13(1): Article 84.

[19] Engelman, A. 2012. Addressing disparities in emergency communication with the deaf and hard-of-hearing: Cultural competence and preparedness for first responders. Ph.D. dissertation. University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.

[20] Fox MH, White GW, Rooney C, Cahill A. The psychosocial impact of Hurricane Katrina on persons with disabilities and independent living center staff living on the American Gulf Coast. Rehabilitation Psychology, 2010, 55(3): 231-240.

[21] Harkins J, Tucker PE, Williams N, Sauro J. Vibration signaling in mobile devices for emergency alerting: A study with deaf evaluators. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 2010, 15(4): 438-445.

[22] Hasegawa, J., H. Hidaka, S. Kuriyama, T. Obara, K. Hashimoto, Y. Tateda, Y. Okumura, T. Kobayashi, and Y. Katori. 2015. Change in and long-term investigation of neuro-otologic disorders in disaster-stricken Fukushima Prefecture: Retrospective cohort study before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake. PLoS One 10(4): Article e0122631.

[23] Hay K, Pascoe KM. Disabled people and disaster management in New Zealand: Examining online media messages. Disability and Society, 2019, 34(2): 253-275.

[24] Hodge G, Goswell D. Deaf signing diversity and signed language translations. Applied Linguistics Review, 2023, 14(5): 1045-1083.

[25] Horiike, R., H. Nakai, T. Itatani, F. Shirai, and K. Konishi. 2019. Using GIS to simulate tsunami evacuation guidance signs for the hearing impaired. PLoS One 14(6): Article 0217512.

[26] Hosono N, Inoue H, Nakanishi M, Tomita Y. Emergent application on smart phone for deaf, language dysfunction and foreigners: Communication method to perform swift rescue report by refined icons with GPS technology. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 2015, 217: 386-391

[27] Ivey SL, Tseng W, Dahrouge D, Engelman A, Neuhauser L, Huang D, Gurung S. Assessment of state- and territorial-level preparedness capacity for serving Deaf and hard-of-hearing populations in disasters. Public Health Reports, 2014, 129(2): 148-155.

[28] Kailes JI, Enders A. Moving beyond “special needs”: A function-based framework for emergency management and planning. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 2007, 17(4): 230-237.

[29] Kamau PW, Ivey SL, Griese SE, Qari SH. Preparedness training programs for working with Deaf and hard of hearing communities and older adults: Lessons learned from key informants and literature assessments. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 2018, 12(5): 606-614.

[30] Kent M, Ellis K. People with disability and new disaster communications: Access and the social media mash-up. Disability and Society, 2015, 30(3): 419-431.

[31] Koch LC, Hill J, Rumrill PD. Emerging disabilities that result from or are exacerbated by severe weather events: Implications for rehabilitation counselors. Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education, 2019, 33(1): 8-23.

[32] Landrum L. Creating accessible websites: Developing a fire safety website for teenagers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, 2009, 69(12-A): 4712

[33] Lee S, First JM. Risk and protective factors associated with post-tornado distress among persons with disabilities. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 2024, 29(1): 95-113.

[34] Levac D, Colquhoun H, O’Brien KK. Scoping studies: Advancing the methodology. Implementation Science, 2010, 5: 1-9.

[35] Lumsden K, Black A. “Sorry, I’m dead, it’s too late now”: Barriers faced by D/deaf citizens when accessing police services. Disability and Society, 2022, 37(3): 476-495.

[36] Malmin NP, Eisenman D. Disability prevalence and community-level allocation of Hurricane Harvey federal disaster recovery assistance in Texas. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 2024, 35(1): 33-42.

[37] McKee R. Breaking news: Sign language interpreters on television during natural disasters. Interpreting, 2014, 16(1): 107-130.

[38] Morris JT, Mueller JL, Jones ML. Use of social media during public emergencies by people with disabilities. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2014, 15(5): 567-574.

[39] Neuhauser, L., S.L. Ivey, D. Huang, A. Engelman, W. Tseng, D. Dahrouge, S. Gurung, and M. Kealey. 2013. Availability and readability of emergency preparedness materials for Deaf and hard-of-hearing and older adult populations: Issues and assessments. PLoS One 8(2): Article 55614.

[40] Nick GA, Savoia E, Elqura L, Crowther MS, Cohen B, Leary M, Wright T, Auerbach J, Koh HK. From the schools of public health. Emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations: People with special health-care needs. Public Health Reports, 2009, 124(2): 338-343.

[41] Owens JK, Stidham AW, Owens EL. Disaster evacuation for persons with special needs: A content analysis of information on YouTube. Applied Nursing Research, 2013, 26(4): 273-275.

[42] Page, M.J., J.E. McKenzie, P.M. Bossuyt, I. Boutron, T.C. Hoffman, C.D. Mulrow, L. Shamseer, J.M. Tetzlaff, et al. 2021. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 372: Article n71.

[43] Park J, Kim A, Kim Y, Choi M, Yoon TH, Kang CN, Kang HJ, Oh J, et al. . Association between heat and hospital admissions in people with disabilities in South Korea: A nationwide, case-crossover study. Lancet Planetary Health, 2024, 8(4): e217-e224.

[44] Petinaux B, Yadav K. Patient-driven resource planning of a health care facility evacuation. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2013, 28(2): 120-126.

[45] Phibbs S, Good G, Severinsen C, Woodbury E, Williamson K. Emergency preparedness and perceptions of vulnerability among disabled people following the Christchurch earthquakes: Applying lessons learnt to the Hyogo Framework for Action. Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, 2015, 19: 37-46

[46] Phillips BDKelman I, Stough LM. Inclusive emergency management for people with disabilities facing disaster. Disability and disaster, 2015, New York. Palgrave MacMillan31-52.

[47] Putkovich K. Emergency warning for people with disabilities. Journal of Emergency Management, 2013, 11(3): 189-200.

[48] Rotoli JM, Hancock S, Park C, Demers-Mcletchie S, Panko TL, Halle T, Wills J, Scarpino J, et al. . Emergency medical services communication barriers and the Deaf American sign language user. Prehospital Emergency Care, 2022, 26(3): 437-445.

[49] Rotondi L, Zuddas M, Marsella P, Rosati P. A Facebook page created soon after the Amatrice earthquake for deaf adults and children, families, and caregivers provides an easy communication tool and social satisfaction in maxi-emergencies. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2019, 34(2): 137-141.

[50] Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. 2020. Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements: Report. https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/system/files/2020-12/Royal%20Commission%20into%20National%20Natural%20Disaster%20Arrangements%20-%20Report%20%20%5Baccessible%5D.pdf. Accessed 19 Aug 2024.

[51] Rutkow L, Taylor HA, Gable L. Emergency preparedness and response for disabled individuals: Implications of recent litigation. Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, 2015, 43: 91-94.

[52] Sherratt S. Hearing loss and disorders: The repercussions of climate change. American Journal of Audiology, 2023, 32(4): 793-811.

[53] Skøt L, Jeppesen T, Mellentin AI, Elklit A. Accessibility of medical and psychosocial services following disasters and other traumatic events: Experiences of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in Denmark. Disability and Rehabilitation, 2017, 39(24): 2468-2476.

[54] Smedberg E, Ronchi E, Hutchison V. Alarm technologies to wake sleeping people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Fire Technology, 2022, 58(4): 2485-2507.

[55] Stein PJS, Stein MA. Climate change and the right to health of people with disabilities. The Lancet Global Health, 2022, 10(1): e24-e25.

[56] Takayama K. Disaster relief and crisis intervention with Deaf communities: Lessons learned from the Japanese Deaf community. Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2017, 16(3/4): 247-260.

[57] Takayama, K., L. Craig, A. Cooper, and H. Stokar. 2022. Exploring deaf students’ disaster awareness and preparedness in U.S. higher education settings: Implications for university-level DRR policy and programming. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 83: Article 103409.

[58] Tannenbaum-Baruchi, C., I. Ashkenazi, and C. Rapaport. 2024. Risk inclusion of vulnerable people during a climate-related disaster: A case study of people with hearing loss facing wildfires. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 103: Article 104335.

[59] Twigg, J., M. Kett, and E. Lovell. 2018. Disability inclusion and disaster risk reduction: Overcoming barriers to progress. Brief note. London: ODI.

[60] United Nations. 2005. Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015: Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.www.undrr.org/quick/10889. Accessed 19 Aug 2024.

[61] Villeneuve M. Disability-inclusive emergency planning: Person-centred emergency preparedness. Oxford research encyclopedia of global public health, 2022, Oxford. Oxford University Press

[62] Villeneuve, M., L. Abson, P. Pertiwi, and M. Moss. 2021. Applying a person-centred capability framework to inform targeted action on disability inclusive disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 52: Article 101979.

[63] Villeneuve, M. 2021. Building a roadmap for inclusive disaster risk reduction in Australian communities. Progress in Disaster Science 10: Article 100166.

[64] Zod R, Fick-Osborne R, Peters EB. A functional needs approach to emergency planning. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 2014, 8(4): 301-309.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)