Nearly 10 million American adults are called to serve on a jury each year. If you’ve ever been the plaintiff or defendant in any type of court hearing, you know the importance of communication during a trial.
As people are called to the stand and a court reporter documents everything, but the judge and jury cannot just hit “rewind” to replay statements made on the stand. Being able to hear in a courtroom is vital to both plaintiff and defendant.
Hearing Loss and the ADA
Hearing Loss
In the US it’s estimated that 48 million people over the age of twenty suffer full or partial hearing loss. Hearing loss can be caused by noise, sickness, or trauma. It can also be genetic or attributed to the aging process. Loss of hearing typically happens gradually and is usually imperceptible. Hearing loss can be corrected by hearing aids or cochlear implants, but regardless, the condition is legally defined as a disability by the US Department of Justice.
ADA
People with hearing loss who suffer from this disability are federally protected from discrimination by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice initially published the Accessibility Guidelines in 1991. While the Guidelines have been modified since the original enactment, the ultimate message is related to public accommodations, commercial facilities, state and local governments.
State and federal courthouses must provide accommodations to those with hearing loss. At the point the court becomes aware that a party to a legal proceeding is hearing disabled, they must provide means for effective communication to that person. There are different services available to the disabled party, and at no cost to that party. Interpreters using sign language are commonly provided in courthouse, as are Assistive Listening Devices (ALD).
Assistive Listening Devices as Courtroom Audio Solutions
An assistive listening device is an electronic headset that can be worn by someone who is hearing impaired, either with or without a hearing aid. Speech volume can be adjusted while blocking ambient sounds emanating from background noises. These devices are also commonly used for more than just courthouses. The ALD is gaining popularity among tour groups, both recreationally and industrially. Schools have also begun using ALD to provide clarity of sound and elimination of background noise for students.
