II. Management: Communication
- American Disabilities Act mandates "Auxiliary Aids and Services" for deaf or Hearing impaired patients at healthcare facilities
- Attempt to adapt to the patient's preferred communication method (and note in medical record for longterm patients)
-
General
- Maintain eye contact with patient (regardless of Interpreter presence)
- Speak in a normal volume and tone
- Lip readers
- Maintain eye contact
- Have a supply of clear masks for staff to allow patients to lip read through the mask
- Speech to Text Applications
- Live Transcribe
- Otter.ai
- Ava
- Sign Language Live or via Remote Interpreter
- Use a professional medical american sign Language Interpreter
- As with any Translation Services, avoid using family members or friends (unless patient declines professional Interpreter)
- Phone Relay or Video Relay Service (via typed text, TTY)
- Calls may be received through a relay service, or initiated by dialing 711
- Makeshift Hearing amplifier
- Use the stethoscope as an amplifier
- Place the ear tips in the patients ears
- Speak into the diaphragm of the stethoscope
- References
- From email communication with D. Nagase, MD
- References
- (2021) Presc Lett 28(6): 34-5
III. Complications
- Decreased social engagement
- Adverse effects on partner relationship
- Decreased quality of life
- Major Depression
- Decreased functional status (e.g. Activities of Daily Living)
- Delirium
- Exacerbates Dementia
- Increased Fall Risk
- Increased Mortality