Deaf people can spend up to 80% more on everyday living costs than those who are able to hear, a new study has suggested.
The report, conducted by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, and University Campus Suffolk looked at the impacts of both hearing loss and sight loss and found that each of the impairments led to significant additional costs if a minimum acceptable standard of living was to be reached.
Researchers adopted a method aimed at calculating what is referred to as the Minimum Income Standards (MIS) – the basic cost of living for people with disabilities. The research aimed to establish how this method can assist in both quantifying the additional costs of disability and pinpointing where and why they arise.
For the study focusing specifically on deaf people, researchers estimated the extra expenses incurred by deaf people inside and outside the home. This person was defined as someone who is profoundly Deaf and using British Sign Language.
As a result of the study, researchers found that the budget for a Deaf person of working-age and living alone is over 80% that that of a person who is able to hear. The report found that the largest additional expense, accounting for over 75% of the additional budget, is funding for interpretation services.
Other additional expenses reported came from a need to fund technological communication aids, including special computer equipment and mobile phones. Travel costs also needed to be funded.
If you or your loved one has suffered hearing loss as a result of your job then you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. At work, your employer has a legal right to protect you and where work is being carried out in a noisy environment provide sufficient protection to prevent long-term hearing damage. If you would like to speak to us about your legal options should you or your loved one have suffered hearing loss, you can give us a call on 0800 122 3036 or contact us online here
. You can also visit our dedicated website www.ringing-inears.co.uk for more information.