Updated March 30, 2015
EMS providers are likely to encounter patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. How would you learn the chief complaint of a patient who cannot hear your question? In 2009, I asked Neil McDevitt, who at the time was the Program Director of the Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network, TDI, to share some tips for assessing and treating patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. McDevitt is now the Mayor of North Wales Borough, Pennsylvania and the Deaf-Hearing Communicaation Center, Inc. Executive Director.
Patient assessment tips
Here are McDevitt’s patient assessment tips:
1. Hearing loss and communication skills vary
Some people cannot hear anything, but are still able to speak clearly. Others can hear quite a bit, but have great speech difficulty.
2. Not every deaf or hard-of-hearing person can lip-read
Even a great lip-reader may have great difficulty when ill or injured. Some rescuers are not lip-readable due to mouth structure, facial hair, or vocal accent.
3. Speak simply and clearly
Speaking louder or slower often makes you less understandable. It’s better to simply speak clearly.
4. Gestures complement verbal communication skills
They’re also useful with people who don’t speak English or have cognitive disabilities.
5. Use facial expressions since many emotions are easily read
For example, raised eyebrows indicate a question. Raising your eyebrows while pointing to your wrist asks, “Did you hurt your wrist?”
6. Offer communication assistance
Ask the patient if he or she needs any communication services at the hospital and call ahead to request those services, like an American Sign Language interpreter.
Patient assessment practice
Practice Neil’s tips by doing “silent” patient assessment drills. Neil believes that “most emergency services workers are already fluent in non-verbal communication. It won’t be easy, but with some knowledge and practice, they will get the job done.” Above all else, ASK the patient how you can work together to make communication successful.
