Approximately 48 million Americans over the age of 12 have hearing loss, but only 16% use hearing aids. People don’t seek treatment because of trouble with access, cost, and stigma, so there is a vast, hard-of-hearing community going through daily life without aid. These figures underscore how important it is to make spaces more accessible.
Salons are natural pillars of the community where individuals can relax, get themselves done up, and even convene with others. To provide this same service to the deaf and hard of hearing (HoH), salon owners must integrate tools that specifically accommodate these invisible disabilities. With just a few additions, creating a more inclusive environment for both clients and stylists within this community is achievable.
Provide aid devices to stylists
Stylists should have the best tools at their disposal. For people who are deaf or HoH, this means hearing aids that don’t get in the way of their work and infringe on their movement. If you have stylists who have both hearing and vision issues, you can even provide hearing aid glasses to address these needs at once. Beamforming technology makes conversations clearer while cutting through background noise, a must for salons with crowds and loud machines to contend with. Meanwhile, prescription lenses have blue light filtering, UV protection, and light-responsive treatment.
Even for staff without vision correction needs, these make for a comfortable and discreet wearable option, enabling HOH stylists to do their work and navigate the salon with ease. It’s essential to have resources that have core functionality while addressing the concern of blatant assistive aesthetics. If you don’t have the means to provide the devices, provide active health insurance coverage, including hearing.
Visual alarms and cues for stylists and clients
Visual cues are some of the most helpful elements you can give both stylists and clients who are deaf or hard of hearing. This provides immediate awareness of surroundings, customs, FAQs, and safety precautions without requiring any auditory response.
Legible signage is the most common and practical solution for this need, but you can also check out other innovative resources. Many smart devices alert individuals to various environmental changes and sounds using vibrations or light-based alerts. For instance, the Department of Human Services compiled a list of alerting devices that use flashing or strobing lights and vibrations to indicate weather, telephone, doorbell, carbon monoxide, and smoke alarms. Such assistive equipment makes the whole space feel safer for deaf individuals, putting clients at ease and helping stylists focus on their work without safety worries.
Keep a translator app handy
One of the best ways to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals is American Sign Language (ASL). While more than half a million Americans use ASL regularly for communication, there’s still a high chance you’ll come across various staff and clients who are not well-versed in it. Not everyone is like Jenna Frederick, who made the news as a popular hair stylist who uses sign language to communicate with deaf and HoH clients.
Whether you are looking to open up employment opportunities for stylists from the community or want to provide more inclusive services for your clients, a good way to bridge this gap is to have a legitimate translator app.
Have a private room
You may also want to have a private room ready to provide a personalized experience that accommodates their needs. It’s a good option for clients who want a more controlled environment. Salon suites are becoming more popular anyway, so you can benefit from having something you can offer or upsell to your deaf or HoH clients.
With more freedom and control, you don’t have to worry about other clients who may get in the way. There is more room for various treatments and needs, and stylists can have better spatial awareness. More importantly, this adds an extra layer of privacy for those who may not want to deal with the stigma surrounding the subject.
