The problems with information transmission for people with hearing loss during disasters and emergencies and the solution for them

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Disaster Medicine Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 124 - 130
• Main Authors: Noda, Yukina, Honda, Tatsuya, Kataoka, Yuko, Hiyoshi, Kenta, Kobayashi, Yumiko, Maki, Jota, Ohmori, Iori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Association for Disaster Medicine 20.07.2024; 一般社団法人 日本災害医学会
• Subjects: information barriers; people with hearing loss; primary input of disaster information; request for assistance; 情報バリア; 救助要請; 災害情報の一次入力; 難聴
• ISSN: 2189-4035; 2434-4214
• DOI: 10.51028/jjdisatmed.29.2_124

【Background】 In the event of a disaster or emergency, alerts, sirens, breaking news, awareness of the proximity of emergency vehicles, etc. are often aroused by auditory information. Therefore, people with hearing loss are more likely to be delayed in recognizing danger, and accordingly delayed in evacuation or avoidance. Visual information presentation has its limitations, making it difficult to obtain information about disasters and emergencies, especially for deaf people who do not wear hearing aids, when they are sleeping, or when they are not alert. In addition, people with hearing loss are often at a disadvantage when it comes to receiving and receiving information regarding rescue requests such as ambulances, so it is essential to develop countermeasures. 【Purpose/Method】 We investigated the status of primary input and information sharing during disasters and emergencies for people with hearing loss, and the status of utilization of information support equipment, including information and communication technology (ICT), conducted a survey on the people with hearing loss with the aim of extracting issues. The subjects were 223 people with hearing loss over the age of 18. The survey items were: 1. Background factors, 2. Primary input methods and challenges during disasters and emergencies, 3. Rescue request methods and challenges, and 4. Difficulties and ingenuity during disasters and emergencies. 【Results】 The investigation revealed the following. 1) More than 70% of people with hearing loss experienced difficulty in primary input during disasters, but the proportion using existing information support equipment was as low as 35%. They have challenges in obtaining information independently in real time. 2) Only half of the respondents had the experience of self-help when making an emergency call, and half of them had asked someone else to help them. Among people with hearing loss who made the call, some unilaterally provided information. 3) Many people with hearing loss are worried about communication when there is no support person or when there is a charging or communication failure of hearing aids or information support devices. 4) More than 70% of respondents desired a device that converts sound and vibration for emergency notifications in the event of a disaster or emergency, or a device that sends and receives information in the form of images or videos. The needs for their development were suggested. 【Conclusion】 In preparation for disasters and emergencies, it is desirable to expand systems for mutual aid and public assistance, as well as to secure means of self-help through the use of information support equipment, including ICT.