A hospital or doctor visit, especially for surgery or a serious illness or injury, can be stressful for anyone. Imagine trying to navigate those situations when you have a hearing loss. Led by Karen Utter and Judi Carr, HLAA-WA helped create these tools to help.
For your next healthcare visit, we encourage you to download and print items in our hospital kit. Then bring them with you.
- Communication tip cards: Hand these tip cards to your caregivers, reception staff, or anyone who needs to understand how to communicate with people with hearing loss. Tips include getting someone’s attention, facing them while speaking, and rephrasing what you say.
- Signs: Place these by your bed or where they can be seen clearly. Ask for one to be put in your chart. They ask that people speak clearly and face you and let others know you have a hearing loss.
- Communication alert for CI wearers: If you have a CI, place these signs by your bed or where they can be seen clearly. Ask for one to be put in your chart. This sign reminds people that your device needs to be turned on.
The Swedish system in Washington State has several assistive devices that can help you hear and communicate, such as a phone amplifier and a PocketTalker personal amplifier. Request a device before your visit.
For more tips on navigating healthcare with a hearing loss, see our recent blog post, Hearing Access in Healthcare.
