Challenges of the deaf and hearing impaired in the masked world of COVID-19

Abstract

Difficulties of the hearing impaired have increased due to COVID-19, leading to lack of inclusiveness along with the breakdown of their mental, physical, and social health. The study objective was to assess the challenges faced by the deaf and hearing-impaired people during COVID-19 by a literature review. Literature search was done using keywords such as “challenges” OR “barriers” and “COVID-19” OR “Deaf” OR “Hearing Impaired” OR “Communication” on PubMed and Google Scholar from November 2019 to June 2020. The challenges faced were lack of information, face mask making communication difficult, social distancing affecting their physical, mental health, stigma and barriers related to the health-care system. Strategies included use of technology, help from sign language instructors, and preparedness of health-care settings for the hearing disabled. System strengthening, tele-medicine, and policy amendments can be the pillars to build up the support system for the hearing impaired to protect them from COVID-19.

Disparities impacting the deaf and hard of hearing: a narrative and approaches to closing health care gaps

“…These practices have further limited effective communication with deaf/hard of hearing patients by taking away visual cues such as mouth/lip movements and facial expressions, which play a critical role in communication for many in this population. 11 …”

Virtual emotional gestures to assist in the examination of the mental health of the deaf‐mutes

“…In the process of gesture comparison, the gestures in g i are first classified by using the KNN algorithm. The distance difference between similar target points is calculated using the Manhattan distance formula, as shown in formula (4).…”

“…Generally speaking, people with disabilities are 2-4 times more likely to be mentally ill than normal people. 3,4 According to the survey, deafness issues are also one of the main reasons for suffering from depression. 5 In short, mental health problems of deaf-mutes need to be taken seriously.…”

“…Compared with the normal population, the social problems faced by deaf‐mutes are far more severe, and this extra pressure increases the probability of deaf‐mutes developing mental illness. Generally speaking, people with disabilities are 2–4 times more likely to be mentally ill than normal people 3,4 . According to the survey, deafness issues are also one of the main reasons for suffering from depression 5 .…”

Individuals with hearing impairment/deafness during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A rapid review on communication challenges and strategies

“…In this context, individuals with HI have been reported as particularly vulnerable in both the short and long terms given the decreased communication quality that they have experienced for more than 2 years (Trecca et al, 2020). Daily interactions and communication have been worsened by wearing masks or face shields, the required distancing and the suspension of hearing visits or hearing aid controls (Correia & Ferreira, 2022; Garg et al, 2021; Tavanai et al, 2021). Moreover, previous strategies used to improve the quality of communication—for example, emphasising labial movements while speaking or being closer in front of the patient while communicating with him/her—have limited power given the additional communication challenges they have experienced since the COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions began to be introduced in early 2020.…”