WHO estimates that more than 1.5 billion people live with some degree of hearing loss, and at least 2.2 billion have a near or distance vision impairment. In hospital, sensory loss can lead to misunderstandings, missed information, falls and a person being wrongly labelled as confused or uncooperative. Simple adjustments make a huge difference.
Hearing loss: communication tips
- Ask how the person prefers to communicate: lip-reading, writing, sign language, hearing aids.
- Get their attention before speaking, with a gentle touch or wave.
- Face them, with your face well lit and at the same level. Masks make lip-reading impossible; consider clear-panel masks where infection control allows.
- Speak clearly at a normal pace. Don’t shout, which distorts lip patterns.
- Reduce background noise.
- Rephrase rather than repeating the same words if not understood.
- Write things down or use pictures for key information.
- Check understanding using teach-back.
Deaf sign language users
For people whose first language is a sign language, written English (or another spoken language) may be a second language. Book a qualified sign language interpreter for important conversations: consent, diagnosis, discharge. Don’t rely on family members. See working with interpreters.
Hearing aids
- Make sure patients have their hearing aids in, switched on, with working batteries.
- Store them safely when removed; they’re expensive and often lost in bedding.
- Check for wax blockage in the ears if hearing seems worse.
Visual impairment
- Introduce yourself by name and role every time; say when you’re leaving.
- Describe what you’re about to do before touching.
- Orient them to the room: bed, call bell, toilet, locker.
- Keep the environment consistent: don’t move belongings without telling them; keep pathways clear to prevent falls.
- Meals: describe what’s on the plate using clock positions (“chicken at 6 o’clock”).
- Offer your arm for guiding rather than pushing them.
- Ensure glasses are clean and with the patient.
- Provide information in accessible formats: large print, audio.
Dual sensory loss
Some people, particularly older adults, have both hearing and sight loss. Use touch-based communication cues, involve family who know their methods, and seek specialist advice.
Don’t mistake sensory loss for confusion
A patient who answers questions wrongly may simply not have heard or seen properly. Check sensory function before assessing cognition. Sensory impairment also increases the risk of delirium, so glasses and hearing aids are part of delirium prevention.
Based on WHO World Report on Hearing, WHO World Report on Vision and NHS Accessible Information Standard guidance. Educational content.