Communication tactics when visiting UHNM

Communicators

Can your patient hear you?

It is vital that patients understand their health conditions and can give informed consent to treatments. If you have a patient who appears not to be able to hear, or who usually has hearing aids but they have been lost /delayed, then you can access these communicator devices for loan through the Hearing and Balance department.


Please contact: audiologydepartment.nhs@nhs.net and type ‘communicate’ in the subject box


Alternatively, if you wish to purchase your own, they can be cleaned and reused. You can also purchase changeable ear inserts to comply with infection prevention. Further information can be found here: www.connevans.co.uk/product/8088186/91ACOM3/Communicator-amplifier-for-hard-of-hearing-people

• If your visitor is wearing hearing aids, do you have a loop system (fixed or portable) that may help them hear clear.


• If you do, is it working? Do staff know how to use it?


• Make sure you have the person’s attention before you start speaking.
• Turn your face towards them so they can easily see your lip movements.


• If someone doesn’t understand what you’ve said, try saying it in a different way. Rephrase.


• Speak clearly, not too slowly, and use normal lip movements, facial expressions and gestures.


• Mask use prevents a lot of helpful information being passed on – clear masks can be used.


• Be prepared to move to a room or area that has good lighting, to talk away from noise and distractions.


• Ask if any information needs writing down such as appointment dates, times, places.


• Check understanding, don’t assume that all has been heard and understood.


• Check out the Trust video on visiting hospital with hearing loss below:

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support at UHNM from UHNM NHS Trust on Vimeo.

If your patient has hearing aids, how are they stored when removed? Provide a container such as a denture pot clearly marked with patient ID and whether one or two aids


• Are the aids working – do they need checking, cleaning, new batteries?


• Does your ward have access to any communication equipment such as a portable loop or communication device?


• Contact the Hearing and Balance team for further help 74727 / audiologydepartment.uhns@nhs.net


• Make sure you have the person’s attention before you start speaking.


• Turn your face towards them so they can easily see your lip movements.


• If someone doesn’t understand what you’ve said, try saying it in a different way. Rephrase.


• Speak clearly, not too slowly, and use normal lip movements, facial expressions and gestures.


• Mask use prevents a lot of helpful information being passed on – clear masks can be used.


• Be prepared to move to a room or area that has good lighting, to talk away from noise and distractions.


• Ask if any information needs writing down such as appointment dates, times, places.


• Check understanding, don’t assume that all has been heard and understood.