Being in a hospital or healthcare setting can be challenging for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly and equally, but unfortunately, this is not always the reality. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people simply want to receive the same respect, care and attention as hearing people. Several factors can create differences in how hearing and Deaf or hard-of-hearing patients are treated.

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COMMUNICATION BARRIERS:

Hearing people generally do not experience communication barriers frequently. However, many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people experience communication difficulties in hospitals and other healthcare settings. They may miss important and sometimes life-changing information about their health, leaving them feeling confused or too afraid to ask questions. These problems can arise from a lack of knowledge, understanding and awareness about deafness, as well as limited access to qualified interpreters. This can create anxiety about seeking medical care and may contribute to serious or potentially life-threatening situations.

There is a widespread lack of timely access to qualified interpreters in healthcare settings. This can significantly affect the quality of the experience for both patients and healthcare professionals. An interpreter can make a considerable difference by improving communication and understanding. However, not every Deaf or hard-of-hearing person prefers to use an interpreter. Some people prefer to communicate independently, some may have a companion with them and others may want someone to provide guidance. Without appropriate support, patients may spend days in hospital with little or no understanding of what is happening to them. Healthcare services should ensure that interpreters are available when required, particularly because approximately 1.5 billion people—or around 20% of the world’s population—experience some degree of hearing loss. (https://www.who.int/health-topics/hearing-loss#tab=tab_1)

​​​Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients may regularly miss important details, including:

• Environmental cues, such as their name being called in a waiting room

• Conversations between healthcare professionals about their care

• Verbal instructions that concern them but are not communicated directly to them

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PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES:

Physical and environmental challenges can also create significant barriers for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in healthcare settings. Some of these challenges include:

• Some medical words and phrases may not have widely established signs, meaning that parts of the healthcare vocabulary must be fingerspelled. This can be frustrating and time-consuming.

• Poor lighting and frequent movement by healthcare professionals can make lip-reading and understanding speech extremely difficult.

• A lack of visual alerts, such as screens showing who is next instead of staff only calling patients’ names in waiting rooms.

There can also be significant gaps in healthcare systems and organisational practices relating to deafness. Effective organisation is essential, but communication between healthcare professionals and Deaf or hard-of-hearing patients is often inconsistent and not prioritised. Patients may also find it difficult to request and receive appointments within an appropriate timeframe.

Communication barriers can create serious risks to patient safety. Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients may misunderstand medication instructions, not fully understand procedures, experience difficulty explaining their symptoms or be unable to provide informed consent without accessible communication and appropriate support.

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EMOTIONAL IMPACTS:

Many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people report avoiding hospitals because they feel anxious, fear being dismissed or feel invisible to healthcare staff. This may occur because professionals lack knowledge about deafness or because important information about a patient’s communication needs is not shared with staff. Discrimination may also contribute to these experiences. As a result, patients can feel vulnerable and undervalued when communication breaks down.

These barriers can lead to frustration, unequal access to healthcare, ongoing health concerns and broader health inequalities for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Overall, communication in hospitals and healthcare settings is a major worldwide issue that needs to be addressed. Providing appropriate access and improving professionals’ understanding of deafness can change people’s experiences and even save lives. Small actions that help a Deaf or hard-of-hearing person feel included can make a significant difference during their time in a healthcare setting.

Communication barriers may discourage Deaf and hard-of-hearing people from seeking the treatment they need, potentially leading to more serious health problems. Healthcare professionals should always do their best to ensure that every Deaf or hard-of-hearing person feels heard, seen, respected and comfortable.