How do I Become a Hearing Impaired Interpreter?

The process necessary to become a hearing impaired interpreter can vary among countries and states, as well as among different professional settings. Some countries offer government licensure for people interested in translating for the deaf or hard of hearing, and in the US each state typically offers procedures for state licensure. You should also have a high school diploma or equivalent certification, and a college degree can be helpful to make you a more preferred candidate for a position. Certain settings in which you may want to become a hearing impaired interpreter can also have specific requirements.

To become a hearing impaired interpreter, you should typically have a strong background in sign language and be able to quickly translate between spoken language in your area and sign language used in relation to that language. In the US, for example, you would likely need to know American Sign Language and English. It would likely also be beneficial in some parts of the country to be fluent in Spanish or other languages as well.

A hearing impaired interpreter typically works with individuals who are deaf or have experienced hearing loss to help them communicate with others. This is why it is beneficial for you to already have a strong background in sign language if you want to become a hearing impaired interpreter. You should be able to quickly translate between spoken language and sign language, and most workplaces will expect at least a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification. An associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in language, especially in sign language, can also make it easier for you to become a hearing impaired interpreter.

Depending on the country or region you live in, you may want to seek some form of professional licensure as well. You should contact the appropriate government agency in your area; most states in the US have a department of public health or similar agency that handles this type of licensing. Tests are typically administered to indicate your fluency with sign language and how quickly and accurately you can translate between spoken language and signing.

Once you have any licensing necessary to help you become a hearing impaired interpreter, you should then consider in what kind of industry you want to work. If you are interested in working in the health care industry, for example, you may need further classes in learning medical terminology. This will allow you to more effectively translate between doctors and patients without losing important information in the process. You may also want to become a hearing impaired interpreter in a classroom, in which case you should consider classes or licensure in education as well.