2 – Communication Specialist (CS) – Rehabilitation Counselor for the Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (RC/HH/LD)

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor as “Communication Specialist”

Public awareness, growth of consumer groups, legislation, technological advances, etc., are bringing people who are hard of hearing and late deafened “out of the closet” in order to take advantage of needed communication enhancements now available to them. However, many do not know specifically what is available, what is suited to their needs, or how to access and use these devices.

There is currently no designated professional to whom hard of hearing individuals can turn who has the expertise to help them with job site analysis, job site modifications or restructuring of job tasks that might be required for successful employment performance. They have no one to turn to for help with employer and co–worker education and technical assistance. They have no one to turn to for help with hearing loss related stress and associated coping strategies, self-image and assertiveness training. They need help in locating support groups and other personal resources. The vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor is the logical professional to pick up this service void.

The structures of staff who serve persons with hearing loss vary in different VR state agencies. Consumers who are hard of hearing or late deafened are often served by counselors from different caseload backgrounds and various skill levels related to these populations. States that have specialized counselors serving consumers who are hard of hearing and late deafened are commonly called Rehabilitation Counselor for the Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (RC/HH/LD) or in some states Communication Specialist (CS).  The 2008 Model State Plan (MSP) for Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Persons who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (MSP) recognizes that not all counselors have the competencies needed to serve persons with all levels of hearing loss. The MSP identifies the essential functions of the counselor assigned to work with individuals who are hard of hearing and late deafened and documents the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to effectively serve this population.

Through enhancement of vocational rehabilitation counselor knowledge, truly eligible individuals who are hard of hearing and late deafened with previously unidentified substantial limitations and who are in need of multiple vocational rehabilitation services, can be identified and served as a group separate from those who only need a hearing aid. If VR counselors effectively communicate with these consumers and understand the scope of their potential employment problems and possible solutions and remediation, it will be apparent this is not typically a “single service hearing aid” population of need.

The Counseling Relationship

Counseling and guidance are critical components throughout the VR process. Counseling with an individual who is hard of hearing or late deafened requires a repertoire of communication skills, knowledge of alternate methods for communication access and ability to adjust to specific needs and preferences. For this reason VR counselors who work with consumers who are hard of hearing or late deafened must become communication specialists.

No other rehabilitation professional currently assumes the role of communication specialist. VR counselors must be able to gather information from other professionals, from the consumer, from the employer, family and friends and be able to put it all together with the consumer to determine communication and other service needs.

With all VR counseling, effective communication skills form the core of the counselor/consumer relationship. The ability to listen, reflect, paraphrase and clarify are essential elements. These elements take on even greater importance when hearing loss is involved.

Counselors assigned to work with consumers who are hard of hearing and late deafened must have knowledge of a menu of communication services that can match the employment needs of the individual consumer. In assessment of service needs, counselors should not only gather medical information, but should additionally:

The counselor who is an effective communication specialist will apply the above measures to his or her own interactions with the consumer, model the appropriate communication behaviors, and take advantage of the unique position of the VR counselor to share this information with the consumer and others involved in the individual’s rehabilitation program.