When hearing loss is a disability, the duty to make reasonable adjustments, and access to information.
Deafness or hearing loss can be a disability under the Equality Act 2010 if it has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on normal day-to-day activities — including communication.
Employers, education providers and many service providers must take reasonable steps to remove substantial disadvantages — e.g. BSL interpreters, captions, loop systems, written follow-ups, visual alarms.
The duty includes providing auxiliary aids where reasonable — such as interpreters, speech-to-text reporters, or equipment — not only changing policies.
Shops, GPs, councils, hospitals and other providers must not discriminate and may need to make adjustments so you can use services.
In health and care, the Accessible Information Standard (England) requires organisations to identify, record and meet communication needs — including for deaf patients.
Mocking someone’s deafness or punishing them for requesting interpreters can be unlawful harassment or victimisation.