The need for Powerpoint captions for the hearing impaired must be a priority over the aesthetics of the Sanctuary.
Chaplain for the hard of hearing and the deaf, Fr Paul Pitzen, says priests need to get over aesthetics of the sanctuary of a church and look at providing Powerpoint captions for parishioners.
Fr Paul has held his chaplaincy since 1977 and says due to WA’s isolation, not all the deaf know how to sign. “Some go deaf later in life and know nothing about signing but are still part of the flock,” he said.
According to a 1998 study, the South Australian Department of Human Services estimated more than 16 per cent of the Australian population over the age of 15 suffer from hearing loss greater than 25 decibels – slightly quieter than the sound of a whisper.
Hearing loss is measured in decibels and some people can experience hearing loss at specific frequencies.
It is difficult to determine exactly how many people have hearing problems because there is no specific counting system in place in Australia.
Fr Paul says parishioners should have the option of powerpoint captions during Mass but some priests think they can upset the sanctuary.
“What would Jesus do – would he be concerned about the aesthetics or the communications,” Fr Paul said.
With an increasingly ageing population, Fr Paul says a great proportion of the population will suffer from partial or full hearing loss and to evangelise, the word of the gospel needs to be spread without aesthetics.
“The Gospel is to be proclaimed – that’s good in theory but if you’re deaf then how is it going to be proclaimed? It has to be proclaimed visually.”
Fr Paul says at St Denis Church they use powerpoint slides with, “40 point whole caps that can be read at the back of the church without straining.”
He also suggested that powerpoints could be used to aid those with eyesight problems.
Hearing loss in children is another area of concern with a 2004 report by Australian Hearing estimating there were more than 11,000 deaf and hearing-impaired children in Australia.
If you need help with your hearing or want more information on how to make your Church more hearing impaired friendly, please contact Fr Paul on 0401 016 399.