Communication with people with hearing disabilities: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to identify in the literature how the communication between healthcare professionals and patients with hearing disabilities occurs. Method: Integrative review. The research was based in the MEDLINE, BDENF, LILACS, and SCIELO databases through the following descriptors: communication, nursing, hearing deficiency, deafness, deaf, and nursing care. Results: The 19 articles were grouped in the following categories: communication strategies; professional training; professional relationship with the deaf, and suggestions for improving the communication between the deaf and health professionals. Conclusion: Each deaf person presents specific communicational needs, and the nurse should choose along with the deaf, the best communication strategy respecting their limitations.