Fareham Shopping Centre Hearing Loop Audit
Introduction
In 2017 the UK had a population of 66 million. Of these 11 million are deaf or hard of hearing. In 2018 the population of Fareham and District was 116,000. Based on the UK data, 1 in 6 people of Fareham are deaf or hard of hearing; approximately 20,000 people. Furthemore, according to the Corporate Strategy for Fareham, 'Fareham has experienced the largest rise in the number of residents aged 85+ in Hampshire during the last 20 years' so the ratio of 1 in 6 Fareham residents being deaf or hard of hearing may be too low.
Although the Equality Act 2010 (and Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland) states that businesses, shops and public buildings are expected to make reasonable adjustments to any building used by the public, our findings show that the vast majority of buildings are yet to be fitted with hearing loop systems.
Between April 2019 and June 2019 an audit of hearing loops was carried out in all the premises shown in the map of the Fareham Shopping Centre where access was permissible. Each audit was performed by a pair of Hearing Loop Checkers who entered each of the premises and tested the hearing loops if there were any. If there were no loops installed or the premises wanted help then a 'Leaving Card' was left giving instructions on how to get further help from the Hearing Link charity.
Before the Hearing Loop Checkers enter a premises they check to see if there are any T-Coil signs on the outside indicating that there is a hearing loop inside as it is important for those with hearing aids to know that the premises welcome and care for people with hearing aids. Once inside the checkers look for where the hearing loops are located as indicated by further T-coil signs. The checkers then check out the hearing loops to see how well they work. The checkers determine how helpful and knowledgeable are the staff towards those with hearing aids.
Out of the 70 premises only 13 had a hearing loop. Of
these 13 premises only 7 had working loops. The form used
to record the audit is shown below.
This is a disappointing result as it was hoped to have found
more but some people were interested in installing loops.
Results of the Audit
Listed below are the premises visited. If there is a loop in the premises a summary of the audit is shown below the name of the premises. The summary has the following format as per the Loop Checker Audit Form:
A traffic light system has been used to indicate how well the
hearing loops work. If at least one loop was not working
the site was awarded a red light. An orange light was
awarded if the numeric sum of the tests was below 11 else a
green light was awarded. Clicking on the name of the premises
will show you the detailed audit report.
We would expect banks, pharmacies and hearing aid aid suppliers
to all be awarded green lights but it is disappointing that this
was not the case.
Detailed Audit Results
The Loop Checker Audit Form
