University of Sydney researchers are co-designing an emergency preparedness tool for people who are deaf/Deaf or hard of hearing and are calling for input from hearing care sector representatives.
PhD candidate Brigit Maguire, Professor Michelle Villeneuve and Associate Professor Isabelle Boisvert are from the university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, Centre for Disability Research and Policy.
“We’re inviting hearing care sector representatives to join us in a collaborative co-design process that brings together sector expertise and lived experience to shape effective emergency preparedness for natural hazards like bushfires and floods,” Maguire told Hearing Practitioner Australia.
“In our research we’ve found that some people who are deaf, Deaf or hard of hearing can communicate well when using their hearing devices (e.g. hearing aids and/or cochlear implants), but experience almost complete communication loss without their devices.
“We also found that many deaf, Deaf or hard of hearing people do not have an emergency plan for natural hazards like bushfires and floods.”
Maguire said that many people had not planned what they would do if they could not use their hearing devices if they were damaged or lost, or if they could not charge them.
The researchers produced an infographic which summarises some of their findings.
“The first phase of our study has been published and other articles have been submitted including to a hearing sector journal,” she said.
“We’re now moving to the next phase of the project: co-designing an emergency preparedness tool for people who are deaf, Deaf or hard of hearing.
“We’re developing this tool with people who are deaf, Deaf or hard of hearing and their families, representatives from the hearing care sector and the emergency management sector.
“This is an opportunity to directly influence ongoing preparedness for emergencies among the deaf, Deaf and hard of hearing community,” Maguire said. “This work will also have benefits for effective emergency planning for other groups of people.”
Participants must live in Australia and be 18 years or older. Any participation by individuals will be voluntary. Information will be provided about consent and privacy.
Participate in the study by completing the survey. The study is expected to finish around June or July 2026.
The infographic below summarises some findings of their research.
