An adult with progressive sensorineural hearing loss is no longer able to use a standard telephone at work. The managing audiologist should assist the patient with

• A. Learning a manual communication system
• B. Obtaining a job that does not require spoken communication
• C. Obtaining reasonable accommodation for telephone communication at work
• D. Working with vocational rehabilitation to be considered for a cochlear implant

Answer: (C)

Providing reasonable accommodation for workplace communication is the appropriate step. When an adult can no longer use a standard telephone due to progressive sensorineural hearing loss, the goal is to maintain job performance and participation by enabling effective communication, not to discontinue work or switch to a non-spoken role. Under disability employment law, employers are expected to provide reasonable accommodations that allow the employee to perform essential tasks, which for many is telephone use. The audiologist can document the hearing loss, specify communication needs, and help identify suitable accommodations such as amplified phones, telecoil-compatible or captioned telephone options, or other assistive listening devices and services. This preserves the employee’s ability to work and communicate at the level required by the job.

Other approaches—like learning a manual communication system or seeking a job that avoids spoken communication—do not directly address the immediate workplace communication barrier or the legal framework that supports reasonable accommodations. Pursuing a cochlear implant through vocational rehabilitation is a medical/vocational consideration that may be relevant in some cases, but it is not the primary action the managing audiologist should take to resolve the day-to-day need for telephone access.