Evaluating employment outcomes of adults who are deaf and hard of hearing

Abstract

This study evaluated employment outcomes of adults who were deaf and hard of hearing. The 200 subjects were deaf and hard of hearing adults 18 years and older. They completed a survey consisting of 20 multiple choice questions and three additional questions that required written responses. The results indicated there were significant associations between employment outcomes and participant ratings of reading and English skills and their family's education backgrounds. School settings and communication modes during school were not associated with employment. Also over time, some participants increased their use of ASL and decreased their use of other communication modes.