Hearing impairment is a significant social determinant of health that often impacts emergency department care. In this episode, Dr. Kim Bambach (Assistant Professor of EM) interviews Dr. Sophie Bolaños (PGY-2) about practical approaches to improve care for deaf and hearing-impaired patients in the ED. From understanding barriers to effective communication to leveraging local resources, this discussion provides actionable insights for creating a more inclusive and supportive care environment.
Guests: Sophie Bolaños, MD
Host: Kim Bambach, MD
Editors: Kim Bambach, MD and Chris San Miguel, MD
Key Learning Points:
- Understanding Hearing Impairment:
- Over 1.5 billion people worldwide are deaf or hard of hearing, including 33 million children.
- By 2050, one in ten people globally will have disabling hearing loss.
- Hearing impairment intersects with other social determinants like unemployment, homelessness, and mental health challenges.
- Barriers to Care in the ED:
- Communication challenges due to the need for ASL interpreters or clear communication methods.
- Bias and frustration among clinicians unfamiliar with deaf culture or communication techniques.
- Practical challenges such as non-functional nurse call buttons for hearing-impaired patients.
- Actionable Solutions:
- Utilize an ASL translator even if the patient can read English or lip-read.
- Stock audio amplifiers or use stethoscopes to enhance communication with hard-of-hearing patients.
- Use clear masks to facilitate lip-reading.
- Learn basic ASL signs, like the sign for “doctor,” and your last name to establish rapport while waiting for interpreters.
- Maintain visual accessibility by keeping curtains open when privacy isn’t an issue.
- Community Resources:
- Deaf Services Center (Columbus, OH): Offers ASL classes, advocacy, and peer support.
- Ohio Relay: Provides a free service to facilitate phone calls for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals, supporting communication in English and Spanish.
Bottom Line:
Caring for deaf and hearing-impaired patients requires empathy, awareness, and resourcefulness. Clinicians should strive to minimize barriers and biases while leveraging available tools and resources to provide equitable care.
Resources to Learn More:
- Deaf Services Center
- Ohio Relay
- ASL sign for doctor and how to fingerspell your last name
- World Health Organization Report: Deafness and Hearing Loss
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