Deaf Respondents Research Articles

Perceptions of Automatic External Defibrillator Use and Accessibility in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Populations of the United States.

Background The use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) by lay rescuers can reduce the time to defibrillation and improve survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). AEDs use voice prompts to guide users through the defibrillation process, creating a potential barrier for deaf and hard-of-hearing (HoH) individuals. The objective of this study is to assess familiarity with and concerns regarding AED use among members of these communities. Methods A 19-question Qualtrics survey was distributed to adults in the United States who self-identified as deaf or HoH. The questions included seven demographics, eight yes/no/unsure, three Likert scales, and one multiple-response question. Quantitative analysis was performed using 95% confidence intervals to compare familiarity with and concerns about AED use among deaf, HoH, and combined groups of respondents. Results Of the responses, 500 met the inclusion criteria; 130 (26%) self-identified as deaf, and 370 (74%) self-identified as HoH. Around 460 (92%) were in the 18-40 age group. AED recognition was high among both deaf (90.77%) and HoH (84.59%) respondents, though deaf respondents were less likely than HoH respondents to have seen an AED in a public place (p=0.03) or know how to safely use one (p=0.001). In both the deaf and HoH groups, the top concern regarding AED use was that AEDs were too technical or complicated (61.86% and 56.8%). Of all respondents, 36.4% reported that AEDs were not user-friendly (p=0.034). All participants identified some concerns regarding AED use in emergencies. In addition, 56.15% of deaf and 39.19% of HoH respondents were concerned that AED use is potentially dangerous (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in knowing when to use an AED or where to find more information about AEDs. Conclusion Deaf and HoH people have specific concerns about AEDs, including the safety and complexity of operating an AED and the accessibility (user-friendliness). In this study, the deaf population is less familiar with using an AED than the HoH population. Possible interventions to address concerns of the deaf and HoH communities include AED training given in American Sign Language (ASL) and updating AED designs with improved visual and non-verbal directions.

Performance of the Washington Group questions in measuring blindness and deafness.

The Washington Group Short Set (WGSS) questions are intended to measure the severity of disability and disability status in US federal surveys. We used data from the 2010-2018 National Health Interview Survey to examine the performance of the WGSS visual disability and hearing disability questions in capturing blindness and deafness. We found that the WGSS questions failed to capture 35.7% of blind adults and 43.7% of deaf respondents as having a severe disability, or, per their recommended cut point, as being disabled. Coupled with evidence demonstrating the poor performance of the WGSS questions in estimating the size of the overall disability population, we contend that results from this study necessitate a halt in the use of the WGSS questions to measure disability in US federal surveys.

Congruences of factor solutions of quantitative indicators for understanding the written form of deaf children's communication through the use of words types

In deaf students, there is no contextual understanding and recognition of word types through linguistic competence testing compared to the hearing population, because 67.10% do not understand, and 10.00% of deaf respondents partially understand the contextual application of word types in a written text task. In written communication, deaf students use nouns (65.70%), pronouns (34.30%), verbs (45.7%), adjectives (28.60%), adverbs (22.90%), prepositions (54.30%), exclamations (15.70%), particles (12.90%) and numbers (32.90%). The aim of the study was to examine the factor solutions of quantitative indicators of contextual understanding of the word’s types used and the relation of isolated factors of the words types words in the written text task of deaf students. The study was conducted on a sample of 140 respondents. The first subsample of respondents, the experimental group consisted of 70 deaf students, and the second subsample, the control group of 70 hearing students, of the same chronological age and gender. The measurement instrument “Test of comprehension of the written form of expression” was applied. The collected data were processed using the method of oblique rotation and the method of factor analysis. The results of the study showed that the language discourse of the deaf in the quantitative use of word types in the written form of expression is organized significantly differently compared to the hearing population. By factor analysis, three main factors were isolated in the deaf population, and four main factors were isolated in the hearing population. Considering the saturation of variability, it is possible to accurately determine in practice the direction of teaching deaf children the types of words in their native language. Isolated factors are part of separate, statistically unrelated entities in both deaf and hearing respondents and confirm the justification of successive teaching of the deaf respondents according to the types of words that are present in the comparative analysis of hearing respondents.

Quantitative Understanding of Deaf Children Written Form of Communication through the Use of Word Types

Deaf children, due to the impossibility of transforming the internal speech scheme into expressive speech in mutual written communication, make maximum use of abbreviated speech schemes that determine the ability to communicate. The aim of the study is to examine the content comprehensibility and semantic level of written communication of deaf children through the number of used types oaf words in written communication, and to determine the existence of statistical significaance of differences between deaf and hearing respondents in the use of word types at the level of statistical significance p=0.001. The study was conducted on a sample of 140 respondents. The first subsample of respondents, the experimental group consisted of 70 deaf students, and the second subsample, a control group of 70 hearing students, of the same chronological age and gender. The measurement instrument “Test of understanding the written form of expression” was applied. The frequencies and percentages of responses to each of the variables used were calculated. The t-test and the F (Fisher) test were used to determine the statistical significance of the differences between deaf and hearing subjects. The results of the study showed that deaf students do not have contextual understanding and recognition of word types through testing of linguistic competence in relation to the hearing population, because 67.10% do not understand, and 10.00% of deaf students partially understand the contextual application of word types in writing textual task. Deaf students in the written form of communication use nouns (65.70%), pronouns (34.30%), verbs (45.7%), adjectives (28.60%), adverbs (22.90), prepositions (54.30%), exclamations (15.70%), particles (12.90%) and numbers (32.90%). There is a statistically significant difference between hearing and deaf respondents, in favor of hearing, in all applied types of words, except the use of verbs.

How Many People Use Sign Language? A National Health Survey-Based Estimate.

An empirical estimate of how many deaf and hard-of-hearing persons use sign language in the USA was obtained a half-century ago, but no study has measured how many people sign regardless of deafness. This study estimated the number of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing adult signers. Concatenation of the 2010-2018 National Health Interview Surveys was required to provide sufficient sample size. Unadjusted and age-by-sex-adjusted sign language use prevalence across the range of hearing acuity was estimated. Adult sign language use was substantial (2.80%), with its rate of use greater for women than men and younger adults than older adults. As a group, deaf respondents had a far higher rate of sign language use than any other hearing acuity group. This study provides the first empirical estimate of adult sign language use generally, and the first update of any sign language use estimate in a half-century.

Homogeneity of Variance of Content Understanding of the Written form of Expression of Deaf Children on the Basis of Measurement of Applied Language Constructions and Content within Linguistic Expression

The study was conducted on a sample of 70 deaf children, chronologically aged from 10 to 18 years. Letters of deaf respondents on topics of their choice were used as a measurement instrument. The goals of the research are: To examine the homogeneity of variance of content understanding of written form of expression based on measurements of applied language constructions and content within language discourse, and to determine the statistical significance of content understanding of written form of expression using language constructions within language discourse. The second goal of the study was to examine the connection of language constructions in the applied measurement space of the number of used written expressions in the content understanding of written communication, and to determine the statistical significance of the connection of language constructions in the number of used written expressions in content understanding of written communication. The results of the research showed that the deaf population is characteristic and homogeneous in the way, style of writing and content understanding of the written text observed through linguistic discourse in written dialogue. In the written form of exchange of communication content, a significant degree of communication competence has been achieved, or the comprehensibility of the written form of expression in terms of content understanding. Deaf persons achieve very modest linguistic competence. The reduced ability of deaf children to achieve linguistic competence is reflected through the simplicity of statements in the substantive sense of preferring statements, as one of the characteristics of the linguistic competence of the deaf population.

A Mixed Methods Study of Hysterectomy in a U.S. Sample of Deaf Women Who Use American Sign Language.

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the most common procedures performed in the United States. Yet, we know nothing about deaf women's experiences with hysterectomy. The study aims to establish a prevalence of hysterectomy among deaf women and provide insight into the experiences of those who have undergone hysterectomy.Materials and Methods: Quantitative data (n = 195; 27% Black, Indigenous, People of Color) were collected through a bilingual online patient-reported outcomes survey and reproductive health questions from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between November 2019 and March 2020. Semistructured interviews were conducted between March and April 2021 with a smaller sample of deaf women who underwent hysterectomy. A multivariable logistic regression model identified the relationship between health care history and sociodemographic factors, while qualitative interview data were used to understand deaf women's experiences with hysterectomy.Results: Of the 195 deaf respondents, 34% underwent hysterectomy (n = 67). Results indicated that the odds of hysterectomy increased for higher age (per year), being African American/Black or Latinx, being married or living with a partner, being overweight or obese, and if communicating with the doctor through English writing or others. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight women who provided consent to participate. Although all women reported improved quality of life posthysterectomy, patient-centered experience and decision making before hysterectomy were highly dependent on access to communication, information sources, and social support.Conclusions: Prioritizing the needs of deaf women leading up to, during, and after hysterectomy has the potential to improve overall experience with hysterectomy and patient–clinician communication.

S331 Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake Among Deaf Adults in the United States

Introduction: Persons with disabilities face challenges in access and utilization of healthcare resources in part due to the additional resources needed for their health delivery. In the United States, approximately 10,000,000 persons are hard of hearing and 1,000,000 are functionally deaf. There is little information about colorectal cancer screening uptake among deaf and severely hearing-impaired US adults. To evaluate the uptake of CRC screening among deaf US adults. Methods: We used the 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5 Cycle 2). Our analytic cohort included 2,049 respondents (weighted population size = 107,282,358) without a personal history of CRC who were at least 50 years old, reported whether they were deaf or not and answered questions regarding their ever use of CRC screening modalities (Fecal Immunochemical Test, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy). We used logistic regression analyses to examine the association of deafness with ever being screened for CRC. We used survey weights in all analyses. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: There were 202 deaf respondents (weighted population size = 9,994,286) and 1,847 persons with normal hearing (weighted population size = 97,288,072). Deaf respondents were older (mean age 70.6 years versus 62.1 years), were more likely to be male (59.9% versus 46.2%, P = 0.004), and had less formal education (High school or less 50.5% versus 35%, P = 0.004). There were no differences by race, health insurance, smoking or BMI. There was no difference in CRC screening uptake among deaf and normal hearing adults in the US (Table). Conclusion: Hearing status was not associated with CRC screening. There is a continuous need to ensure adequate access to all members of the population in the receipt of CRC screening to ensure that “no colon is left behind”.Table 1.: Multivariate model adjusted for age, sex, race, insurance, marital status, BMI and smoking.

CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION FORM OF DEAF CHILDREN

The aim of this research was to examine the communication and linguistic competence of a meaningful understanding of the written communication form of deaf persons. In this study, a qualitative method of content analysis was used. The study was done on a sample of 70 deaf respondents. Deaf subjects were divided into two groups. One group wrote letters to another group on a topic of free choice, and the other group responded to the letter. After these correspondences, the letters were analysed in a way to search for understanding the content. Letters were agrammatic with a large number of omitted letters and syntactically difficult to understand. However, children who are deaf, perfectly recognized the context, and responded to letters with understanding. The results of the research showed that the deaf respondents have communication, but not linguistic competence in the written form of communication.

Using video technology to engage deaf sign language users in survey research: An example from the Insign project

For many deaf signers, a signed language is their first or preferred language; spoken or written languages are often second languages and literacy levels among deaf signers vary. Historically, surveys carried out with deaf signers have been in written form, which means that findings of such studies may be problematic in terms of whether participants are a representative sample (as only those with higher levels of literacy may respond) and in terms of the integrity of the responses (if respondents did not fully understand questions). This paper therefore discusses issues faced in conducting survey research with deaf signers, given that they may face challenges in accessing questionnaires in written form. The paper also discusses how to conduct a multi-country study with deaf signers when they do not have a common sign language by designing a questionnaire using International Sign. We present a case study of the Insign project, which employed an online survey methodology that allowed 84 deaf respondents from 22 different countries to view questions in International Sign about their experiences with existing communication technologies and their expectations of service provision to access European Institutions. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach in relation to the use of International Sign, challenges in recruiting enough respondents, the time needed to create a signed questionnaire instrument, and how to enable deaf participants to respond in sign language. We conclude with recommendations for social science researchers to consider when administering surveys with deaf signing communities.

The Sign Language Interpreted Performance: A Failure of Access Provision for Deaf Spectators

The Sign Language Interpreted Performance: A Failure of Access Provision for Deaf Spectators Michael Richardson (bio) Introduction Sign language interpreted performances (SLIPs) are performances of spoken-language theatre rendered simultaneously to Deaf spectators through a single interpreter using sign language (Gebron; Rocks 2015) rather than other access tools, such as supertitles or captions. Initially requested from within the Deaf community, nowadays the demand for SLIPs is driven more by audience-development goals and access requirements (Simpson), and significant time and money are invested in their provision in the UK by both producing and receiving theatres. Despite this, the number of Deaf people attending is lower than expected (Lee), and Deaf theatre-makers suggest that SLIPs do not offer genuine accessibility (Bangs; Conley). My fieldwork, undertaken with audiences and theatre managers at SLIPs, as well as my interview with a practicing interpreter, joins a growing body of research that strongly suggests that SLIPs are not effective for Deaf spectators, demonstrably failing on three levels: failure to appropriately capitalize the theatrical space; failure to conceptualize the interpreter as performer; and failure to create a meaningful translation. “I feel I picked up half the performance and half the interpreter, but I had to take that and create something myself. It’s not good. It wasn’t clear.” This assessment, echoed in some form by all of the Deaf respondents, suggests that their ability to understand the play is compromised by the way the performance is delivered. If we consider theatre not as “stage art” but “communicative event” (Sauter), it becomes clear how and to what degree SLIPs by their very nature impede the participation of Deaf spectators. The data are not, however, all negative; opportunities to consolidate existing provision, improve it, or replace it with something better are also identified. Hence this essay argues that SLIPs as currently delivered are not effective in providing accessibility for Deaf spectators; instead, they represent a failed technique of theatre-making that has been largely abandoned by the Deaf community. However, if theatre-makers who are currently committed to maintaining the status quo are willing and able to recognize that SLIPs are a failed technique and to consider more creative uses of the financial investment in them, then it may be possible to develop genuinely accessible ways of engaging Deaf spectators. Researcher Positionality I am a hearing theatre director who has worked in opera, musical theatre, and most significantly, youth theatre (Richardson 2015). I began my engagement with the Deaf community over ten years ago while running a youth arts organization: a residential Deaf school relocated to the area in which my organization worked, bringing Deaf young people to rehearsals and Deaf adults to performances. Following convention, I initially used SLIPs in an attempt to provide accessibility, but [End Page 63] my instincts were that, in the standard model, these were ineffective. In response to those instincts I undertook several practice-based projects with the aim of improving accessibility, experimenting with the placement of the interpreter onstage, and (in a production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd) having lead roles simultaneously characterized by two actors, one signing and one singing, and using sign language in place of choreography for the chorus. This recent study follows in part from my realization that, during these projects, my exploration of the participation of Deaf people in theatre was conducted entirely from my perspective as a hearing person. Despite not working directly with Deaf people in theatre, I have made other efforts to engage with the Deaf community. I have learned British Sign Language (BSL) and subsequently developed friendships within my local Deaf community, and have worked with Deaf people in other capacities. These competences supported my efforts to recruit Deaf participants for this study, to generate data with them in their own language without relying upon an interpreter, and to translate that data into written English. All the quotes given in this essay, unless stated otherwise, are my own English translations of data generated in BSL from Deaf respondents. The Meaning of Deaf The term deaf means different things to different people. It signifies both audiological deficiency and a sense of cultural identity, the latter usually referenced in academic practice by...

Comprehension of television news signed language interpreters

This questionnaire-based study evaluates interpretations of TV news broadcasts into South African Sign Language from the perspective of 360 adult Deaf respondents, who identify factors hindering comprehension. Methodologically, findings are based on both open-ended and closed questions. The sources of difficulty identified, together with viewer assessments of current interpreting services and viewer expectancy norms, are explored in relation to the profile of the Deaf target audience represented by the study sample. Despite potentially low literacy levels, the study found a stronger stated preference for subtitles than for signed interpretation. The limited size of the signed language screen inset and the type of signed language used by the interpreters were found to be the main factors limiting comprehension; to a lesser extent, problems can also be related to various features of the interpreters’ performance (facial expression, mouthing, sign articulation and general language proficiency), viewers’ insufficient background knowledge and signing skills, the difficulty of dividing attention between different forms of visual input, as well as the positioning of the screen inset showing the interpreter. The cultural and linguistic heterogeneity of the South African Deaf community poses a further challenge to interpreters. Recommendations for both interpreting practice and further research emerge from the discussion.

Sexual health behaviors of Deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users

BackgroundLittle is known about the sexual health behaviors of Deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users. ObjectiveWe sought to characterize the self-reported sexual behaviors of Deaf individuals. MethodsResponses from 282 Deaf participants aged 18–64 from the greater Rochester, NY area who participated in the 2008 Deaf Health were analyzed. These data were compared with weighted data from a general population comparison group (N = 1890). We looked at four sexual health-related outcomes: abstinence within the past year; number of sexual partners within the last year; condom use at last intercourse; and ever tested for HIV. We performed descriptive analyses, including stratification by gender, age, income, marital status, and educational level. ResultsDeaf respondents were more likely than the general population respondents to self-report two or more sexual partners in the past year (30.9% vs 10.1%) but self-reported higher condom use at last intercourse (28.0% vs 19.8%). HIV testing rates were similar between groups (47.5% vs 49.4%) but lower for certain Deaf groups: Deaf women (46.0% vs 58.1%), lower-income Deaf (44.4% vs 69.7%) and among less educated Deaf (31.3% vs 57.7%) than among respondents from corresponding general population groups. ConclusionDeaf respondents self-reported higher numbers of sexual partners over the past year compared to the general population. Condom use was higher among Deaf participants. HIV was similar between groups, though HIV testing was significantly lower among lower income, less well-educated, and female Deaf respondents. Deaf individuals have a sexual health risk profile that is distinct from that of the general population.

The current health of the signing Deaf community in the UK compared with the general population: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo assess the current health of the Deaf community in the UK and compare with the general population.DesignA quota sample of adult Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users underwent a...

Psychological features of symbolization among the deaf in the period of youth

The article deals with results of a diagnostic study of revealing the distinctions in symbolization among the deaf and the hearing in the period of youth. More than half of deaf respondents demonstrate the simplest way of symbolization. Symbols-properties prevail in their individual consciousness; these symbols-properties do not make it possible to reveal qualitative differences of a symbol and a sign, which indicates the interpretation of symbolical values on the basis of a single significant sign. They have difficulties when comparing symbols even in a single subject area, cannot interpret it in various intensional contexts. Findings indicate the necessity of the development of the aimed didactic technologies which, considering the specificity of the sense sphere of the deaf, will initiate the development of their symbolical function.

Intimate Partner Violence Reported by Two Samples of Deaf Adults via a Computerized American Sign Language Survey

A computerized sign language survey was administered to two large samples of deaf adults. Six questions regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) were included, querying lifetime and past-year experiences of emotional abuse, physical abuse, and forced sex. Comparison data were available from a telephone survey of local households. Deaf respondents reported high rates of emotional abuse and much higher rates of forced sex than general population respondents. Physical abuse rates were comparable between groups. More men than women in both deaf samples reported past-year physical and sexual abuse. Past-year IPV was associated with higher utilization of hospital emergency services. Implications for IPV research, education, and intervention in the Deaf community are discussed.

Higher educational attainment but not higher income is protective for cardiovascular risk in Deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users

BackgroundHigher educational attainment and income provide cardiovascular protection in the general population. It is unknown if the same effect is seen among Deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users who face communication barriers in health care settings. ObjectiveWe sought to examine whether educational attainment and/or annual household income were inversely associated with cardiovascular risk in a sample of Deaf ASL users. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 302 Deaf respondents aged 18–88 years from the Deaf Health Survey (2008), an adapted and translated Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) administered in sign language. Associations between the self-reported cardiovascular disease equivalents (CVDE; any of the following: diabetes, myocardial infarction (MI), cerebral vascular attack (CVA), and angina) with educational attainment (≤high school [low education], some college, and ≥4 year college degree [referent]), and annual household income (<$25,000, $25,000–<$50,000, or ≥$50,000 [referent]) were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and smoking history. ResultsDeaf respondents who reported ≤high school education were more likely to report the presence of a CVDE (OR = 5.76; 95% CI = 2.04–16.31) compared to Deaf respondents who reported having ≥4 year college degree after adjustment. However, low-income Deaf individuals (i.e., household incomes <$25,000) were not more likely to report the presence of a CVDE (OR = 2.24; 95% CI = 0.76–6.68) compared to high-income Deaf respondents after adjustment. ConclusionLow educational attainment was associated with higher likelihood of reported cardiovascular equivalents among Deaf individuals. Higher income did not appear to provide a cardiovascular protective effect for Deaf respondents.

Impact of Communication on Preventive Services Among Deaf American Sign Language Users

Deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users face communication and language barriers that limit healthcare communication with their providers. Prior research has not examined preventive services with ASL-skilled clinicians. The goal of this study was to determine whether provider language concordance is associated with improved receipt of preventive services among deaf respondents. This cross-sectional study included 89 deaf respondents aged 50-75 years from the Deaf Health Survey (2008), a Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey adapted for use with deaf ASL users. Association between the respondent's communication method with the provider (i.e., categorized as either concordant-doctor signs or discordant-other) and preventive services use was assessed using logistic regression adjusting for race, gender, income, health status, health insurance, and education. Analyses were conducted in 2010. Deaf respondents who reported having a concordant provider were more likely to report a greater number of preventive services (OR=3.42, 95% CI=1.31, 8.93, p=0.0122) when compared to deaf respondents who reported having a discordant provider even after adjusting for race, gender, income, health status, health insurance, and education. In unadjusted analyses, deaf respondents who reported having a concordant provider were more likely to receive an influenza vaccination in the past year (OR=4.55, p=0.016) when compared to respondents who had a discordant provider. Language-concordant patient-provider communication is associated with higher appropriate use of preventive services by deaf ASL users.

Looking across the Hearing Line?: Exploring Young Deaf People’s Use of Web 2.0

Looking across the Hearing Line?: Exploring Young Deaf People’s Use of Web 2.0

Superior temporal activation as a function of linguistic knowledge: Insights from deaf native signers who speechread

Studies of spoken and signed language processing reliably show involvement of the posterior superior temporal cortex. This region is also reliably activated by observation of meaningless oral and manual actions. In this study we directly compared the extent to which activation in posterior superior temporal cortex is modulated by linguistic knowledge irrespective of differences in language form. We used a novel cross-linguistic approach in two groups of volunteers who differed in their language experience. Using fMRI, we compared deaf native signers of British Sign Language (BSL), who were also proficient speechreaders of English (i.e., two languages) with hearing people who could speechread English, but knew no BSL (i.e., one language). Both groups were presented with BSL signs and silently spoken English words, and were required to respond to a signed or spoken target. The interaction of group and condition revealed activation in the superior temporal cortex, bilaterally, focused in the posterior superior temporal gyri (pSTG, BA 42/22). In hearing people, these regions were activated more by speech than by sign, but in deaf respondents they showed similar levels of activation for both language forms – suggesting that posterior superior temporal regions are highly sensitive to language knowledge irrespective of the mode of delivery of the stimulus material.