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Mitigating Background Noise and Excessive Noise

Glossary

Glossary

Auditory Processing

Auditory processing difficulties are conditions to be aware of. They can often present among individuals who have experienced fluctuating hearing loss during childhood due to recurrent episodes of ear disease. The functional difficulties can persist even after the hearing returns to normal after the infection, as inconsistent hearing input has affected the neurological development necessary to process sound effectively. The challenges experienced are often similar to those encountered by individuals with mild hearing loss. Additionally, individuals who are Hard of Hearing as a result of early childhood ear diseases also experience auditory processing difficulties, resulting in compounded functional communication problems.

Gratuitous Concurrence

a common behaviour where people tend to say “yes” to questions, even if they don’t fully understand or agree. It means they acknowledge things without necessarily being sure about them. To communicate effectively, it’s essential to recognise this occurs and adapt our approach to meet the need of the individual person who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing so they can understand what is being communicated to them.

Whitefella

an Aboriginal English word commonly used by First Nations people in Australia to refer to non-Indigenous Australians, typically those of European, often Anglo-Saxon, descent. The use of "whitefella" can be seen as a pragmatic and straightforward descriptor. Over time, as relationships and dynamics evolved, the term has been used in various ways, sometimes neutrally, affectionately, or critically, depending on the context and the speakers' intentions.

Trauma

Is the experience of highly distressing or frightening events that can result in psychological harm, known as trauma. What may constitute a traumatic event can differ between people, so that two people can experience the same event and one can experience trauma and the other does not. Secondary or vicarious trauma refers to trauma experienced by observing harm done to others. The experience of multiple traumatic events can result in complex trauma. Challenges associated with trauma may occur directly after the traumatic event or much later. Some people experience ongoing challenges that impact on their ability to cope or function. With the right supports, many people recover well from traumatic events. Many factors contribute to the higher levels of trauma that may be seen within First Nations communities. These include the impact of colonialism and racism contributing to many life and health inequities, and the ripple effect this can have on communities with closer connections to more people whose lives are cared about are impacted. The communication challenges and outcomes of miscommunication for First Nations who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing can also contribute to their experiences of trauma which in turn impacts on the capacity to communicate.

‘Shame’

fear of embarrassment is especially pronounced in collective cultures, such as First Nations cultures, where one's reputation and how others view them holds significant importance. The potential for public failure can be a reason to not engage in certain activities, as the risk of embarrassment (being shamed) is high. This concern is more likely to be felt by people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and is a reason why they may avoid participation in situations where the possibility of misunderstanding conversations creates a high risk of being shamed in front of others. When a person refers to ‘shame’ or ‘shame job’ as a reason not do something it is important to try to structure the engagement to reduce the risk of them being shamed.

Poison relationships

In many First Nations cultures, the practice of "poison cousins" involves avoiding direct communication with certain relatives to maintain social boundaries and respect. This tradition helps prevent conflicts and uphold modesty within communities, reflecting a deep commitment to community harmony and structured social relationships. It's a culturally significant way to ensure that family interactions are respectful and appropriate, supporting both community cohesion and individual dignity.

Humbugging

when someone asks for too much or makes unreasonable demands for money, drink, cigarettes, food, household items, cars etc from their family or community. It’s different from the positive practice of sharing resources within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Instead, humbugging can lead to stress, arguments, and even abuse. This situation (being humbugged) can be particularly difficult for First Nations people with disabilities, who, often have a strong desire to fulfill their cultural responsibilities like other community members, find it hard to know how to refuse such demands.

Hand talk

Many communities have a sign language or hand talk (sometimes called action) that compliments their local spoken language. In these communities many in the community may be able to use sign language to communicate with deaf community members. However, as with oral languages these are diminishing and often Deaf community members can only communicate with a few family members using family hand sign with elements of community sign.

Countryman

"Countryman" is an inclusive term used by some First Nations people to indicate their deep connection and responsibility to their land. It underscores a unique relationship that sets them apart from non-First Nations people, who may not share the same sense of belonging, affinity, or duty to the Country. This term highlights the profound bond First Nations people have with their land, which is central to their identity and cultural responsibilities.

Behaviours of concern

Behaviours of concern are actions displayed by individuals that might be disruptive, harmful, or challenging to themselves or others. These behaviours often occur when someone is unable to communicate their needs, feelings, or frustrations in more typical ways. They might include yelling, hitting, or refusing to follow rules or instructions. The goal in addressing these behaviours is to understand what the individual is trying to communicate through their actions and to find more positive and effective ways for them to express their needs and desires.

One of the biggest challenges people with hearing loss experience is background noise. Background noise is any unwanted sound that interferes with our ability to hear other sounds.

This can include anything from traffic noise and music to conversations and even the hum of appliances. People with hearing loss often have more difficulty than others understanding speech in noisy environments. This is because the background noise can mask the sounds they are trying to hear, making it difficult to understand what is being said.

Background noise leads people to rely more heavily on visual cues like body language and facial expression to interpret conversations. This can lead to listening fatigue as people have to exert extra effort to understand what is being communicated.

In some environments, people may be able to move to quieter areas where there is less background noise. However, in other settings, such as schools, prisons or shared and crowded housing, it is harder to manage background noise. This can make learning, participation and engagement more difficult.

“In a First Nations tertiary institution, 60% of students had hearing loss. These students described considerable difficulties in following lectures due to the other students without hearing loss speaking while the teacher spoke (cross talk). After discussing this issue with the class, students without hearing loss became aware of the impact of their behaviour and stopped having side conversations while the teacher spoke.”

When someone is Hard of Hearing, the presence of background noise makes it harder for people to understand what’s being said. Therefore, it’s important to minimise background noise.

Video from lookafterkidsears.com.au

NDIS participants, their families, or NDIS workers themselves may be Hard of Hearing. This video describes some of the challenges background noise creates for people.

Managing background noise and excessive noise exposure is crucial.

It’s also important to understand the risks of exposure to excessive noise on compounding hearing loss for people with disability, including within NDIS supports. For example, in Specialist Disability Accommodation where several First Nations people may be living together, there is a tendency for people with hearing loss to turn the TV or music volume up to ‘Listen Loud’. This loud noise level can hurt the hearing of the individual and others in the shared space who originally don’t have hearing issues – this can include other residents and staff.

When someone has an existing hearing loss, listening to music with headphones turned up loud can, over time, also deliver a noise dose that damages a person’s hearing further. Watching TV and listening to music will often be a preferred activity for people with disability for several reasons. But people may also be doing so if they are not given the opportunity to engage in more meaningful activities (aka TV babysitting) or be able to escape excessive noise.  People with mobility difficulties are particularly at risk of being unable to move away from excessive noise. However, is important that noise exposure in is kept to within safe levels.

The table below highlights maximum safe daily noise exposure – greater than this exposure causes hearing loss over time.

 

Time average level LAeq Time exposed hours Types of Activities *

85 dB

8

Sitting close (within one metre) to TBV on moderately high volume or mobile phone on speaker held in frotn of face.

88 dB

4

Listening to music on CD/DVD through TV on high volume sitting close.

91 dB

2

Someone shouting close to you. sitting close to stereo on moderate volume, listing to music on mobile phone on speaker function close to an ear.

94 dB

1

Being 3 metres away form stereo on high volume or listening to music on personal listening device (mobile phone) through headphones volume on high.

97 dB

0.5 (30 mins)

Sitting close to stereo on moderately high volume.

100 dB

0.25 (15 mins)

Being 2 metres away form stereo on maximum volume, being at a disco, people screaming close to you, listening to music on some personal listening devices using earbud headphones on maximum volume.

* Note these are general indications only and there can be variation of noise exposure depending, for example, on type of equipment and settings. Also some activities in the 100 dB section often involve louder noise levels than 100 dB

 

Reducing background and excessive noise is essential, including in congregated or crowded settings.

Key tips include:

Reduce Noise Sources:

Whenever possible, minimize the sources of background or excessive noise. Such as turning down music, limiting the volume of devices, and encouraging quiet areas to engage in other activities, like quiet yarning spaces and play areas for kids.

Acoustic Modifications:

Use sound-absorbing materials like carpets, curtains, and acoustic panels to reduce noise levels in congregate housing, offices and community spaces.

Strategic Seating:

Place individuals with hearing loss in positions where they are least affected by noise when they are expected to listen.

Use of Assistive Technologies:

Assistive listening devices such as amplifiers may help in some settings. Yet it is also important that these are not contributing to excessive noise.

Visual Aids and Sign Language:

Utilize visual aids and, if applicable, sign language to complement verbal communication. This helps people relying on visual cues due to background noise.

Regular Breaks to Avoid Fatigue:

Listening fatigue is real. Allow regular breaks for people with hearing loss to rest their ears and reduce the strain of concentrating in noisy environments.

Controlled Speaking Environment:

Just as with the students who stopped side conversations, encourage everyone to speak one at a time in group settings.

Planning for Quieter Spaces:

When designing living spaces, especially in crowded housing, plan for areas that can provide a quieter retreat for those who need it.

For more information on excessive noise and daily safe noise exposure, click on these links:

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