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INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF
ACCESS FOR HEARING IMPAIRMENT |
The Hearing
Impaired Patient
A hospital stay, for most people, is an anxious
time. As any professional knows, one of the
keys to overcoming this nervousness is clear,
two-way communication between patient and
hospital staff. For the hearing impaired person,
communication is always a critical problem and a hospital
stay may be a traumatic experience. Hearing loss can
create barriers to understanding that result in emotional
distress, misunderstanding and embarrassment.
Hearing loss affects over 28 million Americans, and
their hearing impairment ranges from a mild loss to a
profound deafness. Hearing impaired people can be
classified into two categories: deaf and hard of hearing.
This division is based principally on the means of
communication used by the hearing impaired person,
rather than on the actual degree of hearing loss. Deaf
people cannot hear speech, and they may use sign
language as their primary mode of communication. Hard
of hearing people may use hearing aids and speech-
reading, and they usually use speech. Most of our elderly
population is in this category.
There are several simple things hospital staff can do to
ensure good communication between themselves and their
hearing impaired patients. Here are some good ideas and
tips to follow:
1. Choose the appropriate mode of communication.
This depends on the personal preference of the patient,
the severity of the hearing loss. and his/ her background
and training in language. He/she may communicate by:
a) lipreading (speechreading) and listening with the
help of a hearing aid
b) reading and writing notes
c) sign language
d) finger spelling
or e) a combination of these.
b) reading and writing notes
c) sign language
d) finger spelling
or e) a combination of these.
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child uses to show his needs — e.g. eat, drink, urinate, etc.
Many children have "family" signs or expressions.
When talking to a child position yourself at his level so
he can see your lips. Don't expect the deaf child to stay
still very long. Most deaf children are very active, and
communicate through movement. If the child's main
language is sign language, be sure to have the names and
telephone numbers of people who know the child and can
interpret for you. If the child wears hearing aids, they
should be checked regularly.
TELEPHONE
COMMUNICATION
Communication between the deaf patient and his
family can be arranged by providing him with a loaner
TDD (Telecommunications device for the deaf) while he
is in the hospital. This small keyboard device works with
the ordinary telephone in the patient's room. Each
hospital should also have a TDD at the main switch-
board, and in the emergency department to take calls
from deaf people.
IMPORTANT
Diagnosis of hearing loss in newborn infants and young
children is another vitally important concern often
overlooked by hospital personnel.
All staff in contact with mothers and infants should be
aware of the importance of early diagnosis. The longer the
hearing loss goes undetected, the more severe are its
effects.
• One baby in 1500 is born with a hearing loss.
• Does your hospital identify high risk newborns? If the
mother during pregnancy has contracted rubella or
other viral infections, or has taken ototoxic drugs, or
the birth was premature,-hcr baby is AT RISK. and his
hearing should be checked.
• No child is too young to have a hearing test and be
fitted for hearing aids. If you suspect a hearing loss,
refer the child to ENT and Audiology departments.
• Pay attention to the mother. If she feels something is
wrong, it should be investigated.
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