Deaf Culture Amanda Bommer Intro to Radiology 2013

 When you are working in the health care field you will have to work with lots of people that speak a different langrage then you do. But what about people that can’t hear?  Most of these people will speak ASL ( American Sign langrage)  So the best thing to do would be to get an interpreter making it easier for both parties.

So that’s it right? You get someone to help you communicate and call it a day. Wrong There is so much more you need to know and do to make the procedure go smooth for you and your patient.

First…  Deaf- lacking the power of hearing  Hearing impaired- hard-of-hearing: having a hearing loss

So what do you do?  When working in the health care field you need your patient to trust you. If they don’t they will question you every time you need to do something. Which will just waste time.  Deaf people can be some of the hardest patients because they might be a different religion then you AND be deaf.  When you find out your patient is deaf you need to think about what you will need to do differently.  Explaining what is going to happen  Introducing yourself  The way you talk  The way you move your body

Explaining what is going to happen  If you where talking to a hearing patient you would just tell them what was going to happen. But with a deaf patient you might have to show them

The way you talk  In deaf culture a lot is put on wording and the way things are said.  You need to be carful with the order of your words  If you tell someone that is deaf “You need surgery” it might some across “You need surgery in May.”  BE CARE and read your patient

The way you move your body  Since deaf people cant hear they put a lot into the way you move and hold yourself  So you need to as a health care worker……

NEVER Turn or walk away without telling them

NEVER Talk without looking right at them

Keep eye contact with them

Use your face to help so emotions

Don’t be afraid to point and demonstrate ( with in reason )

Treat them like adults, they are.  Remember that they are people just like you and do the best that you can to make them feel comfortable and to help them understand. And at the end of the day you want to clear picture and a happy patient

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 Scheier, D. (2009). Barriers to health oare for people with hearing loss: A review of the literature. Journal of the New York State Nurses Association,  2, 3. MSM Productions. (2013). Retrieved from  Wood, B, (2002). Caring for a limited-English proficient patient, j'issodalion of Operating Room Nurses. Work cited: Information