Exploring communication difficulties with deaf patients.

One in five people in the UK are deaf, with hearing loss affecting more than 70% of people over the age of 70. Despite this being a higher prevalence than asthma, heart disease or diabetes, deaf people experience persistent health inequalities with poorer experiences and outcomes in disease prevention and management. Clear communication and patient engagement with health are key to better outcomes. Nonetheless, there exist cultural, educational and organisational barriers when addressing communication with patients with hearing loss.Foundation doctors have regular and prolonged contact with their patients, and often feel underprepared when interacting with patients with hearing loss. This article aims to highlight these communication barriers and suggest changes for improvement.Improvement will require adaptations from both individual and organisational perspectives, with patient care as a clear focus for change. © Royal College of Physicians 2021. All rights reserved.