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One aspect of establishing effective communication between physicians and patients has not received adequate attention: the special needs and challenges presented by patients with impaired hearing. In this article the term “hearing impaired” is generic and is applied to both those persons who are commonly labeled “deaf” and those labeled “hard of hearing” as a result of a bilateral hearing loss. The general skills, both verbal and
nonverbal, that a physician must have in order to communicate successfully with a hearing-impaired patient are in essence the same as those required for a hearing patient. Where the divergence occurs is not in the basic skills (empathy, probing and the like) but rather in the means of applying them. Communicating with a hearing-impaired patient makes the use of some combination of the following necessary: speech, hearing, speechreading (lipreading), writing, visual aids, visual language systems
and the assistance of an interpreter. Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version. Get a printable copy (PDF file) of the complete article (847K), or click on a page image below to browse page by page. Articles from The Western Journal of Medicine are provided here
courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group Community Eye Health. 2013; 26(81): 6–7. Valerie E Newton Seema Rupani Shah The main barrier to communication for people who are hearing impaired is the lack of consideration by others. These patients can face prolonged or unnecessary illnesses due to inadequate communication with their health care providers. However, by being prepared, and by preparing the patient, health workers can ensure good communication, thereby giving patients access to appropriate and effective health care. Please note that patients with both visual and hearing impairments require even more consideration! Before the appointmentPatients with hearing impairments, with or without hearing aids, may communicate in a variety of ways with health personnel. Some patients speak and speech-read or lip-read, some use sign language or communicate by writing notes, and some bring someone with them to interpret. When advertising the eye clinic, or booking appointments, include information for patients on what to bring with them – such as their interpreter or their hearing aid. Reception and waiting areasWaiting areas in clinics can be very noisy. Patients with severe or profound hearing loss will not hear shouted instructions or staff calling out their name. Those with moderate hearing loss can also have difficulty. The following general provisions may be helpful:
Examination of a deaf child in the presence of an interpreter. the doctor (right) is facing his young patient and has a pen and paper at hand. KENYA During an appointment
PARTICIPATIONDiane Mulligan Deputy Director, Advocacy and Alliances for Inclusive Development, CBM. ‘Nothing about us without us’ has been a slogan of the disability rights movement for decades. Participation is fundamentally about people with disabilities participating in decisions that relate to them so that actions affecting people with disabilities are not planned or performed without their input. This guiding principle highlights the need for people with disabilities to be brought into the process in such a way that they can directly influence decisions. This results in greater inclusion of people with disabilities and also brings with it lasting change. Extensive involvement of people with disabilities will build skills and capacity. At the same time, people with and without disabilities working alongside each other can often foster changes in attitudes and understanding about the abilities, contributions, and aspirations of people with disabilities. People with disabilities are often empowered and enabled by the confidence and skills that result from the fostering of genuine partnerships. These partnerships can include partnering with families, wider support networks, service providers, and community leaders, where appropriate. Working in partnership with disabled people's organisations (DPOs) is a very effective strategy (page 12). Contributor InformationValerie E Newton, Emeritus professor in audiological medicine: University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. Seema Rupani Shah, Audiological scientist, Nairobi, Kenya. Articles from Community Eye Health are provided here courtesy of International Centre for Eye Health What you should not do when communicating with a person who is hearing impaired?Communicating with People with Hearing Loss. Face the hearing-impaired person directly, on the same level and in good light whenever possible. ... . Do not talk from another room. ... . Speak clearly, slowly, distinctly, but naturally, without shouting or exaggerating mouth movements.. What is the best way to communicate with a hearing impaired patient?Sign language is used by many people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is a visually interactive language that uses a combination of hand motions, body gestures, and facial expressions. There are several different types of sign language, including American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English.
How do you communicate with vision and hearing impaired patients?Tips on communicating to patients with vision loss. Identify yourself. ... . Talk to the patient, not their carer or family member. ... . Continue to use body language. ... . Use everyday language. ... . Always ask first to check if help is needed. ... . Avoid situations where there is competing noise. ... . Announce what you are going to do.. |