A majority of individuals whoD are deaf or have hearing loss face significant communication barriers when accessing care through the National Health Service (NHS), with nearly two-thirds of patients missing half or more of vital information shared during appointments.
According to Dr Bhavisha Parmar, Associate Professor in Audiological Sciences from UCL Ear Institute, "better communication for deaf patients benefits everyone. We’re not just pointing out problems – we’re providing practical solutions."
“The real power of this study lies in the stories people shared,” said lead author Dr Bhavisha Parmar from Cambridge’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences (Sound Lab) and UCL Ear Institute. “Patients weren’t just rating their experiences – they were telling us how these barriers affect every part of their healthcare journey, and in many cases, why they avoid healthcare altogether.”
The study found that despite being a legal requirement under the Accessible Information Standards, NHS patients have inadequate and inconsistent access to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and other accessibility accommodations such as hearing loop systems.
Nearly two-thirds (64.4%) of respondents reported missing at least half of the important information during appointments, and only a third (32%) expressed satisfaction with NHS staff communication skills. Respondents said they had to rely on family members or advocates to communicate with healthcare workers, raising privacy and consent concerns.
Read the full article from the Unversity of Cambridge here.
Related
- Dr Bhavisha Parmar Academic Profile
- UCL Ear Institute
