Consequences for wellbeing

Unmet communication needs also affect people’s wellbeing and independence. Emotional impacts Deaf people and people with hearing loss report feeling frustrated, anxious, fearful, depressed, stressed, and exhausted by their experiences of health services in the UK (Healthwatch Rochdale 2025a, Healthwatch Sandwell 2023, Healthwatch Stoke on Trent 2016, Parmar et al....

Continue reading at RNID →

Clinicians should be aware that unmet communication needs in healthcare settings cause measurable psychological harm to deaf and hard-of-hearing patients; reviewing communication access practices within one's own clinic is warranted.

Documenting the mental health and independence toll of communication barriers in the NHS builds the evidence base for systemic improvements that could reduce health inequity for deaf and hearing-loss patients.

1. 01Deaf and hearing-loss patients report frustration, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion from NHS interactions.
2. 02Unmet communication needs directly affect patient independence and sense of control in healthcare settings.
3. 03This is a review section — findings are synthesised from existing evidence, not a new primary study.
4. 04Impact spans both psychological wellbeing and functional independence.
5. 05The findings are UK/NHS-specific but reflect patterns common in many healthcare systems.