Healthcare

How to work with a person
who is deaf or hearing impaired
People with hearing loss group themselves into two broad
categories:
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Deaf people – ‘Deaf’ (with a capital’D’) refers to those who
are part of a Deaf community with their own language, culture,
values and beliefs. Deaf people identify as “Culturally Deaf”
and prefer to view themselves as being part of a culturally
and linguistically diverse group (CALD) rather than as a person
with a disability (PWD); and

Good communication strategies
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Gain attention: Call the person by name and/or gently
touch their arm or shoulder. If the person is Deaf,
it is OK to flick the lights ‘on’ and ‘off’, to tap on a table
or to wave to gain attention

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Face each other: Hearing impaired and Deaf people
need to see your face clearly to gain help from facial
expressions and to lip read. Maintain the same eye level
e.g. sit if the person is sitting and use eye contact. Avoid
shadows on your face and habits such as pencil chewing
and putting your hands in front of your face

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Avoid background noise: If possible move to a quiet area
or reduce noise. Televisions, radios, people taking in
the background and air conditioning may interfere with
the person’s ability to understand

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Reduce the distance: The level of voice decreases
over distance. Standing within one metre of the person
is recommended

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Optimise lighting: Good lighting helps with lip reading
ability. Avoid backlighting or silhouette effects

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Sometimes if the Deaf person has both minimal English skills
and minimal Auslan skills, it may be necessary to also use
a Deaf Relay Interpreter (DRI). This may be relevant to Deaf people
from other spoken language groups or to Deaf Aboriginal or Torres
Strait Islander people.

Speak clearly: Speak at a normal or slightly slower pace,
and keep your volume up but natural. If appropriate,
direct your voice to the better ear but make sure your face
is clearly visible. Do not shout or exaggerate words as
speech and lip...