Bucks Montgomery Physician Spring 2021 - 9

It is also important to note that English may not be
a DHH person's primary language. American Sign
Language (ASL) and other forms of sign languages
have unique grammatical structures that vary
significantly from English. English can sometimes be
the second or third language a DHH person knows
(Sorenson, 2020).
3. Speak slowly, louder, and clearly
The simplest way to communicate effectively with
DHH patients is to speak slowly and louder. This
will lead to clearer speech, allowing for easier
communication (Rochester Regional Health, 2020).

be beneficial for DHH patients. Google's Live Transcribe
can also be utilized as a means of communicating with
the DHH community as speech is transcribed into
text in real-time (Grote & Izagaren, 2020). Because
these platforms may produce occasional errors when
transcribing, it is crucial for clinicians to enunciate and
speak slowly so that platforms can accurately transcribe
the clinician's words. Physicians should also ensure that
the video conferencing services they choose to use
allows for 3-way video calling so that an interpreter
can attend the appointment (McKee et al., 2020).
Signs and Visuals
Clear signs and pictures are simple measures that
clinicians can use when preparing for a meeting with
a DHH patient. For example, a sign that indicates
'hearing loss' can be placed in front of a DHH patient's
door so that when a clinician walks into the room, he
or she can better support the patient (McKee et al.,
2020). This method is especially useful because it allows
physicians to begin appointments with the knowledge
that their patient is DHH and therefore requires a
communication approach that works for both parties.

Best Practices Physicians Can Implement
to Better Support DHH Patients
Clear Face Masks
When asked how physicians can better accommodate
their DHH patients, Executive Director Neil McDevit
responded with, " The biggest area really is to remove
any barriers to communication access. " One such
way of removing barriers to communication access
is through the use of clear face masks. Although not
every clear face mask is CDC approved, clear face
masks have been pivotal in allowing DHH individuals
to communicate with their hearing counterparts.
Because of the DHH community's reliance on facial
expressions and lip movement when communicating
(Rochester Regional Health, 2020), opaque masks have
made it even harder for d/Deaf individuals and the
hearing world to communicate with one another. Clear
masks, on the other hand, resolve this communication
barrier, easing the communication of DHH individuals
with their healthcare providers (McKee et al., 2020).

Care for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community
is crucial in every aspect, especially during the present
pandemic. Although this article lists several strategies and
best practices that can be implemented in healthcare to
better support the DHH community given COVID-19related limitations, healthcare workers and clinicians should
work together with their DHH patients to accommodate
for their needs during the pandemic and beyond.

References

Interpreting Services
The use of remote sign language interpreters has
significantly increased during the pandemic and allows
for greater accessibility between DHH patients and their
physicians. Physicians can utilize remote interpreters
through HIPAA compliant programs and services via
laptop or phone. Interpreting services can be easily
implemented in a physician's office or through telehealth
services. Interpreters must also be certified in medical
interpreting and have training in order to accurately
interpret in medical settings (McKee et al., 2020).
Captioning Apps and Platforms
With telemedicine as an option for several patients,
video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google
Hangouts provide third-party closed captioning that may

Grote, H., & Izagaren, F. (2020). Covid-19: The communication
needs of D/deaf healthcare workers and patients are being
forgotten. BMJ, m2372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2372
McKee, M., Moran, C., & Zazove, P. (2020). Overcoming
Additional Barriers to Care for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Patients During COVID-19. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head &
Neck Surgery, 146(9), 781. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1705
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry: Office
of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (2014). How many people
in Pennsylvania are deaf or hard of hearing. Harrisburg.
Rochester Regional Health. How COVID-19 Impacts the
Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Community | Health Hive. (2021).
Retrieved 5 March 2021, from https://hive.rochesterregional.
org/2020/10/covid-impact-on-deaf-community
Sorenson, M. (2020). The Impact of the Coronavirus on
the Deaf Community. DOOR International. Retrieved
5 March 2021, from https://doorinternational.org/
the-impact-of-the-coronavirus-on-the-deaf-community

BUCKS AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES

https://www.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2372 https://www.hive.rochesterregional https://www.doorinternational.org/

Bucks Montgomery Physician Spring 2021

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