TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS

Batteries

Store extra batteries for hearing aids and implants. If available, keep an extra hearing aid with your emergency supplies.
Store extra batteries for your TTY and light phone signaler. Check your manual for proper maintenance advice.

Hearing Aids

Store hearing aids in a consistent, convenient and secured place, so you can quickly and easily locate them after a disaster. Consider storing them in a container attached to your night stand or bed post. Missing or damaged hearing aids will be difficult to replace or fix following a major disaster.

Alarms

Install both audible alarms and visual smoke alarms. At least one should be battery-operated.

Communication

Determine how you will communicate with emergency personnel if there is no interpreter or if you do not have your hearing aid(s). Store paper and pens.
Consider carrying a pre-printed copy of key phrases, such as "I speak American Sign Language (ASL) and need an ASL interpreter."
If possible, obtain a battery-operated television that has a decoder chip for access to signed or captioned emergency reports.
Determine which broadcasting systems will provide continuous news that will be captioned and/or signed.

Advocacy

Recruit interpreters to be Red Cross emergency volunteers.
Maintain pressure on TV stations to broadcast all news and emergency information in open caption format and/or secure on-camera interpreters for emergency duties.
When you travel, ensure hotels have access packets for deaf and hearing impaired persons, including audible alarms. Ask for them when you check in.

Checklist

________ Store and maintain extra hearing aids and batteries.
________ Install both audible alarms and visual smoke alarms.
________ Write down key phrases for emergency personnel.

Developed by Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco in cooperation with June Kailes, Disability Consultant, through a grant from The American Red Cross Northern California Disaster Preparedness Network.