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...
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for audiologists — these are basic communication best-practice reminders already well-established in clinical training, but useful as a quick refresher or patient-care reference.
Clear communication between healthcare professionals and deaf or hard-of-hearing patients is a persistent equity gap; accessible guidance from a trusted advocacy body helps reinforce standard best practices across all clinical settings.
- 01RNID offers practical guidance for healthcare professionals on communicating with deaf/hard-of-hearing patients.
- 02Key tips include facing the patient directly, avoiding jargon, and not routing speech through interpreters.
- 03Content is advisory and consensus-based, not drawn from original research.
- 04Relevant to any healthcare setting where deaf or hard-of-hearing patients are seen.
- 05Published on a professional-org blog — editorially independent, no product promotion.
