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Canada among the most dangerous places for language interpreters
While no MP or parliamentary administrator wants to see interpreters get hurt, the question is: will they change the way they do business to ensure the upcoming parliamentary session does not mark open season on interpreters’ health and safety?
OTTAWA—A new international study places Canada among the countries with the highest rate of acoustic shock incidents suffered by language interpreters.
The study found that Canada ranks 13th of 81 countries with six-in-10 (59 per cent) Canadian respondents reporting they have suffered symptoms typical of exposure to an acoustic shock.
Almost half (46 per cent) report having suffered one, while 13 per cent aren’t sure. Among the top 20 countries, Brazil reported the highest incidence of acoustic shock symptoms at 96 per cent (72 per cent who report having suffered an incident, plus 24 per cent who report having symptoms typical of exposure), while 38 per cent of respondents in Luxembourg have experienced symptoms including 25 per cent who say they have suffered an acoustic shock, and 13 per cent who report symptoms typical of exposure, ranking 20th overall.
Acoustic shock has long been a safety hazard for interpreters.
Interpreters’ stock in trade is to focus intently on a speaker’s words to render them faithfully into another language. Electronic feedback, the drop of a microphone, tapping on or yelling in the microphone, or other unwanted noises can send an audio shock directly into the headset of a working interpreter.
These acoustic incidents, usually unexpected, brief and loud, can leave interpreters suffering concussion-like symptoms, or may trigger ringing in the ears, a feeling of fullness or pain in the ear, to name a few ill-effects.
More than 1,000 interpreters were surveyed for the study undertaken by the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) in collaboration with Dr. Philippe Fournier, a Canadian audiologist and researcher at the Laboratoire de neurosciences sensorielles et cognitives, Aix-Marseille University.
Overall, this first ever international study of interpreters and the acoustic shocks they are exposed to found:
- a significant proportion of the interpreters surveyed (approximately 67 per cent) have been exposed to acoustic incidents in the form of loud, unexpected, and brief sounds, including those with symptoms of acoustic shock but no clear recollection of having suffered one.
- almost half (47 per cent) reported previous experience of one or more symptoms following these acoustic incidents, with tinnitus being the most prevalent symptom, followed by hearing hypersensitivity, headaches, hearing impairment and stabbing pain in the ear.
- of those who have suffered an acoustic shock, most (85 per cent) interpreters report being exposed more than once with 25 per cent experiencing more than ten acoustic shocks.
- three-quarters (77 per cent) of interpreters who experienced acoustic shock did not officially report the incidents.
The incidence of acoustic shock among interpreters is not well understood, and for good reason. Most acoustic shock incidents among interpreters go unreported. Among respondents who have suffered an acoustic shock only 18 per cent filed an official report primarily because there is no formal avenue for reporting, according to the study.
Lack of reporting may well explain the dearth of research into interpreters’ hearing health, and recognition of this issue as a real and present health and safety risk for which there must be meaningful protection developed.
Survey data for the international study was collected in the fall of 2019, just months before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Since Parliament began meeting virtually under COVID-19 restrictions interpreters working for the federal Translation Bureau have suffered a spike in hearing injuries.
At issue is the sudden increase in “remote simultaneous interpretation” assignments. These involve meetings where participants, including interpreters, connect from remote locations via the internet, phones, or web conferencing platforms. Since parliamentary gatherings have gone virtual, remote simultaneous interpretation assignments have become the rule. These assignments are particularly taxing and dangerous for interpreters, and frustrating for MPs and witnesses because of:
- poor audio quality—from speakers using technically inadequate microphones, from poor quality of processing, or disrupted transmission of audio signals;
- acoustic shock arising from the mix of different ill-suited technologies used by participants to connect to the meeting or event;
- low-quality video with image blurring and lip asynchrony;
- internet instability, disrupting audio and video feed.
Soon after the House began meeting virtually, a Commons committee heard testimony that there were more injuries during the month of April this year alone than had been reported in all of 2019. Subsequently, the Procedure and House Affairs Committee reported there were 55 health incidents during that period among the 70 interpreters working for the Translation Bureau from March to May 2020.
In spite of encouragement, many participants, including MPs and ministers, still are not using the proper headset, cabled microphone and hardwire connection to the internet when participating in parliamentary committee and House proceedings. These should become mandatory requirements because we know these measures greatly improve conditions that allow interpreters to deliver quality service safely.
While no MP or parliamentary administrator wants to see interpreters get hurt, the question is: will they change the way they do business to ensure the upcoming parliamentary session does not mark open season on interpreters’ health and safety?
Nicole Gagnon is advocacy lead for the International Association of Conference Interpreters-Canada Region-(AIIC-Canada)
Ontario Resumes Infant Hearing Checks: Additional Funding Will Increase Audiology Capacity to Screen Infants Impacted by the COVID-19 Outbreak
TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing $3.8 million to support hearing checks for infants who did not receive the universal newborn hearing screen due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Over the past several months, Infant Hearing Program lead agencies suspended the newborn hearing screen commonly provided pre-discharge from hospitals and in community locations based on the advice of health officials.
As the province re-opens, Infant Hearing Program lead agencies are now starting to safely resume in-person services. Understanding how vital the Infant Hearing Program is to the development and wellness of infants, this additional investment will increase audiology capacity by hiring audiologists and increasing referrals for hearing checks. Newborns who did not receive a newborn hearing screen can now do so.
“Supporting the health and well-being of newborns and their families is a priority,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “These additional funds mean that newborns who missed their hearing screening will now be able to receive this vital service, and that concerns or risks can be addressed early and infants are provided with the support they need as soon as possible.”
Ontario’s Infant Hearing Program provides universal hearing tests for newborn babies to detect signs of early hearing loss in children. Infants who are identified as having hearing loss are then referred to a specialist who will work with his/her parents to ensure they have the resources to develop the critical language and literacy skills needed to be successful in school and in their communities.
Quick Facts
- In 2019-20 the government invested $13.6 million in the Infant Hearing Program.
- In the 2019-20 fiscal year, 128,327 babies were screened across Ontario. Of these, approximately 500 were identified with permanent hearing loss.
- Infant Hearing Program lead agencies will arrange a hearing check by an audiologist for babies who missed their newborn hearing screen. Contact the Infant Hearing Program location near you for more information.
Information for MS&E Providers – COVID-19 Update
On July 20, 2020, Indigenous Services Canada released an update on their Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program, specifically regarding Medical Supplies and Equipment (MS&E) Coverage.
This update outlines that the temporary measures for COVID-19 have been extended until September 30, 2020. The update also highlights additional NIHB MS&E Program changes.
One-Time Payment to Persons with Disabilities from the Government of Canada
The Government of Canada announced a one-time $600 payment in recognition of the extraordinary expenses faced by persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit the Government of Canada website for more information and to view eligibility criteria.
SAC Member Nausheen Khan Discusses Funding Changes in Alberta’s Education System – Radio Interview
On July 9, SAC S-LP member Nausheen Khan was interviewed on 770 CHQR about funding changes in Alberta’s education system and their impact on speech-language pathology services in schools. Throughout the interview, Nausheen and the radio show host discussed the effects budget cuts have on children with speech and language difficulties.
The funding cuts are extensive, severe and abrupt. With a limited number of S-LPs in schools, children with speech and language difficulties will not be properly identified. As well, children will not make progress without ongoing speech-language pathology interventions of sufficient frequency and intensity.
In the interview, Nausheen explained: “When you go from a department with 25 S-LPs down to four, there’s going to be a lot of work that’s just not going to happen… There are windows of opportunities when children are young that are very important, and the impact you have when you put supports in place at that age can save children.”
To listen to the full interview, visit this website.
Audiology Clinical Practice Guidelines
Guidelines and resources to inform audiology practice during the Covid-19 pandemic:
COVID-19 Return to Work Guidance and Recommendations for Vestibular Clinicians (AAA)
Newborn Hearing Screenings and Follow-Up During a Pandemic (AAA)
Best Practices Guidelines for Safely Conducting Hearing Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic (NHCA)
Audiology & Otology joint guidance updated – 1 June 2020 (AIHHP, BAA, BSA, BSHAA Joint Guidance)
Audiological profile of asymptomatic Covid-19 PCR-positive cases
New Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Practice Guidelines
Guidelines are now available to inform speech-language pathology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic including:
- Dysphagia care across the continuum: A multidisciplinary Dysphagia Research Society Taskforce report of service-delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Guidelines of clinical practice for the management of swallowing disorders and recent dysphonia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Management of dysphagia in the patient with head and neck cancer during COVID-19 pandemic: Practical strategy
- Rapid guidance summary about the rehabilitation needs of patients with COVID-19 in ICU and in-patient hospital settings
- Speech-language pathology guidance for tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international multidisciplinary perspective
- Speech-Language Pathology Management of Adults with COVID-19 in the Acute Hospital Setting: Initial Recommendations to Guide Clinical Practice
- The Laryngectomee guide for COVID-19 pandemic
- Virtual dysphagia evaluation: Practical guidelines for dysphagia management in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Rehabilitation for Patients with COVID-19: Guidance for Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Assistants
Proposed Changes to BC’s Health Professional Regulatory Framework
BMS along with Gowlings WLG has prepared an information sheet on proposed changes to the health professional regulatory framework in British Colombia.
Since March of 2018, there has been an inquiry into the model of health profession regulation in BC. A steering committee was created to consult on and assess the current framework, leading to a number of criticisms and proposed changes.
Earlier this year SAC provided feedback to the Government of British Columbia’s Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation. SAC’s submission focused on concerns raised by our BC members regarding the impact the Committee’s proposed changes could have on professionals working in BC.
SAC stressed the importance of ensuring all regulatory changes are made openly and transparently, as well as, the importance of responding to complaints in a timely manner and involving speech-language pathologists and audiologists with specific practice expertise in the public complaints process.
Further information on the proposed changes to the BC health professional regulatory framework can be found in this information sheet from BMS and Gowlings WLG.
COVID-19 Update: Dysphagia Management via Telepractice
Many S-LPs are challenged to provide dysphagia management via telepractice during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new Communiqué article about this topic – Dysphagia Assessment and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned from the Transition to Telepractice by SAC members Gabrielle Carrier, Veronica Rodriguez and Dr. Rosemary Martino – is now available.
Related international resources include:
- Telehealth Recommendations and Resources for Dysphagia Management during COVID-19. This resource provides practical guidance for clinicians who are considering adopting telehealth solutions for dysphagia management.
- Queensland Health eLearning Program: Telepractice Dysphagia Assessment Service. This program provides information for managers and clinicians interested in establishing and conducting adult clinical swallowing evaluations via telepractice.
Dysphagia and Telepractice During COVID-19 and Beyond Webinar (ASHA Health Care Services – Speech-Language Pathology)
S-LPs in Canada may need to modify international approaches to telepractice to ensure compliance with applicable Canadian federal and/or provincial legislation and regulatory requirements.