Mental health of deaf people

Prevalence and characteristics of self-reported physical and mental disorders among adults with hearing loss in Denmark: a national survey

“…The study's overall finding-that adults with hearing loss were at greater risk of both physical and mental disorders-is in line with existing literature [10,22].…”

“…This finding is in accordance with Pollard's study [9] which found that significantly more mental health patients with a hearing loss than those without were categorized in the case records with ''deferred diagnoses'' and ''no diagnosis''. One reason for this might be barriers in the mental health service system around communication and deaf cultural minority issues [22]. As a consequence, individuals with hearing loss are at risk of not being provided adequate assessment, information and treatment than people without hearing loss [22].…”

“…One reason for this might be barriers in the mental health service system around communication and deaf cultural minority issues [22]. As a consequence, individuals with hearing loss are at risk of not being provided adequate assessment, information and treatment than people without hearing loss [22]. Patients with hearing loss often experience fear, mistrust and frustration in health-care settings because of communication and cultural issues [25].…”

Can You Hear Me Snore?

“…There is also a documented increased risk of difficulties communicating with health and mental health care providers due to the need for accommodations such as interpreters. 3 Previous research has demonstrated deficits in health care knowledge in individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing compared with the general population. Providing health care information in written format does not always remedy this problem: the average reading level of students who are deaf or hard of hearing leaving high school is below a basic proficiency level in reading comprehension.…”

The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines for the Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults

“…However, remote interpreting services can be more challenging to use if patients speak softly or are unable to cooperate fully with the interview. Some individuals who are deaf or hard-ofhearing may prefer to communicate through an in-person or video-based sign language interpreter, whereas others prefer to communicate through other approaches (e.g., lip reading, face-to-face keyboards, writing) (Fellinger et al 2012).…”