LM408 - Potential Nefarious Risks of Audiological Devices by Former Offenders of Correctional Environments

Abstract:
Tamura and Gunnison (2019) and others suggest that criminality is higher among populations with deafness. With increased incarceration rates, additional risk is introduced with hearing devices in prison and jail environments. Offenders (sometimes called inmates) are notorious for their creative exploitation of common products and materials, modifying them into all manner of weapons, communication devices, tattoo guns, stingers, and more.

This presentation demonstrates the risk potential and exploitation of hearing devices demonstrated by five formerly incarcerated felons tasked with creative and devious modifications of hearing aids, cochlear implants, charging stations, assistive listening devices (and associated accessories).

Summary:
TRIGGER WARNING (violence): Audiologists have been known to provide services and treatment for offenders housed in prisons and jails. Correctional institutions are generally subject to the same requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (Public Law 101-336) which is a broad civil rights act that prohibits discrimination against any person with disability, including hearing loss.

While all persons with hearing loss have rights under ADA while incarcerated, treatment options (especially those which include devices and associated accessories) present inherent risks within a correctional environment. Some prisons and jails even display collections of weapons and other implements which offenders have created or modified using commonly accessible products and materials. While it is unusual to see hearing-related devices displayed, the potential for devious use of such devices and accessories exists.

The author harnessed the expertise of five formerly incarcerated (with felony convictions) persons. They were provided with BTE and ITE hearing aids, remote controls, charging stations, assistive listening devices and their associated cases, cords, and batteries. They were posed with the following question, "How could one utilize these devices for devious purposes while incarcerated?"

Responses were immediate including, "This is an inmate's dream come true! I could create fire. I could create a tattoo gun and make tattoo ink. I could make a communications device and talk with the outside. I could kill you. I could create knives. I could electrocute you. I could heat my coffee. I could heat my urine and throw it at you to burn you. I could cut off your head. I could cut off any of your bodily appendages." They were then tasked with creating these devices without further implementation.

This presentation will display some of these devices created by the offenders. This compelling and rare exercise brought to light a dark side of our well-intended human services and treatment. The outcome of this exercise far exceeded the author's expectations, yet finds a generally undesirable place of interest, education and risk awareness.

Discussion will include risk versus benefit, and how audiologists may consider treatment options for patients in correctional environments. These experiences will be discussed in a tasteful and professional manner to minimize any impact on the attendee, while providing education, enhancing the audiologist's awareness of risk in order to provide the most appropriate form of treatment.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
1. Risks of harm, injury, and even death exist with hearing devices in correctional environments.
2. Audiologists should exercise caution in their recommended treatments for incarcerated persons.