Communicating with patients who are deaf or have hearing loss

Communicate clearly

When speaking to your patient who is deaf or has hearing loss:

• get their attention before speaking
• face them and make sure they can see your lips and expressions
• speak clearly, but do not shout
• use plain language and be straight to the point
• speak directly to the patient, not their interpreter or someone they have with them

Check understanding

Ask the patient to repeat information back to make sure they understand it.

Be patient, and rephrase what you’ve said if needed.

Write information down if the patient asks you to.

Consider background noise and lighting

Make sure the lighting is good enough for patients to see your lip patterns and facial expressions.

Reduce background noise as much as possible, or move to a quieter area when speaking to patients with hearing loss.

Use assistive technologies

Install technologies such as:

• a hearing loop system for patients who use hearing aids
• visual display systems or vibrating pagers that let patients know when it’s their turn to be seen

Be aware that patients may want to use their own devices to communicate, such as speech-to-text apps on their phone or tablet.