Training for Library Patrons Who Are Hard of Hearing

An increasing number of library patrons are hard of hearing. The U.S. Bureau of Census projected that 35 million North Americans would suffer from hearing loss by the year 2005 based on the age-population projections. These individuals would have at one time been labeled as deaf due to the lack of assistive hearing technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. The advances in technology have created a new group of individuals who are mainstreamed into society and interested in library services. Libraries must create trainings for these individuals who are hard of hearing. Universal design has been used to create an atmosphere that is not only inviting to patrons who are hard of hearing, but also benefits other patrons with hidden disabilities. Assistive technologies have increased the literacy rates of children, adults, and individuals for whom English is a second language. (Contains 5 figures.)