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Your Rights at Work
What employers must provide under the ADA for employees with hearing loss.
The Law
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide "reasonable accommodations" for employees with disabilities, including hearing loss.
You don't need to disclose your hearing loss during the hiring process. Employers can't ask about disabilities before making a job offer.
Reasonable Accommodations
Employers must provide accommodations unless doing so would cause "undue hardship" (significant difficulty or expense). Common accommodations include:
- Captioned phones - Phones that display real-time captions of what the other person is saying.
- Video relay services - For employees who use sign language.
- Written communication - Emails instead of phone calls when possible.
- Meeting accommodations - CART (real-time captioning), sign language interpreters, meeting notes, or recorded meetings.
- Visual alerts - Flashing lights for fire alarms, doorbells, or phone rings.
- Quiet workspace - Moving to a less noisy area or getting a private office.
- Assistive listening devices - FM systems, loop systems, or Bluetooth streamers for meetings.
How to Request Accommodations
- Put it in writing - Email your supervisor or HR. You don't need to use specific legal language - just explain what you need and why.
- Be specific - "I need captions for video meetings" is better than "I need help hearing."
- Provide documentation if asked - Your employer can request a note from your audiologist confirming you have hearing loss.
- Engage in the interactive process - Your employer may suggest alternatives. Be open to discussing what works.
What Employers Can't Do
- Fire you or demote you because of your hearing loss
- Refuse to hire you because of your hearing loss
- Harass you or allow coworkers to harass you
- Refuse to provide reasonable accommodations without good reason
- Retaliate against you for requesting accommodations
If Your Request Is Denied
- Ask for the reason in writing
- Suggest alternatives
- Contact HR or your company's ADA coordinator
- File a complaint with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) if needed
Resources
- EEOC - File complaints and learn about your rights
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - Free consulting on workplace accommodations
- ADA.gov - Official information about the ADA
Key Points
- You have legal rights to accommodations at work
- Put requests in writing
- Be specific about what you need
- Document everything
- Know where to go if your rights are violated
Questions?
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