Communicating with the Deaf During the Health Examination Visit

Abstract

Communication with a deaf patient during a medical visit can be a challenging experience for both the hearing nurse practitioner (NP) and the patient, in addition to posing a unique set of barriers to achieving satisfactory outcomes. Medical staff and provider education needs to be done to accommodate the deaf patient from the time the appointment is made to the conclusion of the medical visit. The deaf patient can be accommodated to ensure a successful medical visit by making arrangements for interpreters before the medical visit and by scheduling extra visit time. Recommendations for a successful medical visit include teletype writers or telecommunication devices for the deaf, video relay system or other computer programs for communication, no glass barrier screen at the receptionist desk that might limit note writing, extra appointment time, examination rooms without harsh backlighting, use of interpreters or videoconferencing, appropriate written education materials, and NP awareness of the deaf patient's special needs.