Presented by Robert Powell Deaf Awareness Presented by Robert Powell

Statistics 10 million deaf people in the UK (1 in 6)* Estimated to increase to 14.5 million by 2031* 800,000 severely or profoundly deaf* 23,000 deafblind* Approximately 132,700 deaf people in Nottinghamshire More than 70% of over 70s have some form of hearing loss* At around the age of 50, the proportion of people with a hearing loss begins to increase sharply* 156,000 BSL users in the UK** Source: Action on Hearing Loss ** Source: BDA

Communication Getting Attention Move in front so you can see each other Tap the person on the arm or shoulder Make small waving movements in their line of vision Flash the lights on and off several times Stamp your foot (to feel vibration) Bang on the table

Communication Golden Rules DON’T SHOUT FACE THE LIGHT INCLUDE THE DEAF PERSON SPEAK CLEARLY OPEN GLASS FRONTED RECEPTION BE PATIENT

Communication Eye Contact is Essential Try to avoid moving around as you speak Don’t cover your mouth or talk with your head down as you write Hold things up for viewing or point to them when necessary Give people time to look at what you are pointing at, then back at you

Communication Lip Reading Only 30% of the English language can be seen on the lips Some sounds that are very visible on the lips (eg F, W, Th) FORGETFUL WILLOWY THANK Others are cannot be easily identified (eg C, K, Y, H) CANOE KENNEL YACHT HOTEL  Some words cannot be distinguished from others: PEEL/MEAL FEW/VIEW WHITE/QUITE SHEEP/CHEAP    With these limitations, the lip-reader needs to use other clues eg expressions, gestures and context

Deaf Patients Highlight patient’s preferred method of communication (eg lip reading, British Sign Language, pen and paper) in notes/computer records Install induction loop at Reception for hearing aid users Do not assume if you can understand the patient that they can understand you Ensure a system is in place for booking a BSL Interpreter (notice may be required) Allow booking of appointments/repeat prescriptions by text/SMS, textphone, internet or email Allow extra time for consultation - use double appointments In waiting area, ensure there is a way to alert deaf patients to appointment eg visual patient call system Give information about aftercare and use of medication in writing Deaf Awareness Training for staff who have direct contact with deaf patients

BSL/English Interpreters Highly qualified professionals, registered with a professional organisation, eg NRCPD Interprets between two languages (English and British Sign Language) and two cultures (Deaf and Hearing) Interprets faithfully, impartially and confidentially Works in many different places, including health appointments, training, workplace, meetings, conferences, schools, Further and Higher Education Follows a Code of Conduct

Helpful Organisations Nottinghamshire Deaf Society/ Nottinghamshire Sign Language Interpreting Service www.nottsdeaf.org.uk Action on Hearing Loss (previously RNID) www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk British Deaf Association (BDA) www.bda.org.uk Sense www.sense.org.uk