These include:

• used an assistive listening device (HRALDUSE, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2007)

• ever recommended to use a cochlear implant (HRCOCREC, 2007)

• now use a cochlear implant (HRCOCNOW, 2007)

• a telephone for deaf people in which a keyboard is used to send printed messages (TDD) or a teletype (TTY) (HRALDTTY 1990, 1994, 1995, 2007)

• a pocket talker (HRALDTALKER, 2007)

)

• amplified telephone (HRALDPHONE, 1994, 1995, 2007)

)

• amplified or vibrating alarm clock (HRALDCLOCK, 2007)

• signaling system (HRALDSIGNAL, 1994, 1995, 2007)

)

• a sign language interpreter (HRALDASL, 1994, 1995, 2007)

)

• video relay service (HRALDVIDEO, 2007)

)

• other special equipment (HRALDOTHER, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2007)

)

In 1994 and 1995 this variable is part of the Disability Supplement (NHIS-D) that collects information on disability. NHIS-D included two household interviews: in Phase I all members of sample families were screened for any indication of disability; in Phase II persons with any indication of disability were followed-up for additional information. Phase I includes sensory, communication, and mobility problems; health conditions; activities of daily living and independent activities of daily living; functional limitations; mental health; services and benefits; special health needs of children; early child development; education; relationship to respondent; and perceived disability. Phase II includes four Disability Followback Survey (DFS) questionnaires: one for children, one for adults, one for elderly persons (69 years of age and over) without any indication of disability (also called the Supplement on Aging or SOA; only in 1994), and one for persons with a history of polio.

In 2007, this variable was part of a Sample Adult Hearing Supplement, (sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The hearing supplement questions were included to address the Healthy People 2010 program initiatives, including increasing access by persons who have hearing impairments to hearing rehabilitation services and adaptive devices (such as cochlear implants), increasing the proportion of persons who have had a hearing examination on schedule, and reducing adult hearing loss in the noise-exposed public. For a full list of hearing related variables see HEARING, quality of hearing.