OBSTACLES TO RECEIVING MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE IN PATIENTS WITH HEARING LOSS (LITERATURE REVIEW) BARRIERS TO ACCESSING MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING LOSS

Abstract

The article presents current problems that arise in the communication between hearing- impaired patients and doctors, in particular, dentists. Every year, the number of hearing-impaired people in the world is increasing. In Ukraine, there is no accurate statistical information about people with hearing loss. Hearing-impaired patients, trying to access medical and dental hearing care, face many obstacles related to the language barrier. This review of the literature highlights the main reasons and obstacles that arise for people with hearing impairments on the way to receiving medical and dental care and medical professionals in providing such care. This article aims to make medical professionals more aware of the features and needs of deaf patients, which must be taken into account when providing medical and dental care to patients with hearing impairments. The quality of medical care depends on the interaction between the patient and the doctor. Deaf people mostly use sign language to communicate, which is why they face significant barriers when trying to get medical, especially dental, services. The health of the oral cavity of children and adults with hearing impairment is a rather sensitive issue that few have investigated. People with hearing impairments are more likely to need dental care, but rarely seek it because of communication barriers. Training doctors, particularly dentists, to work with deaf patients and families who communicate through sign language opens up many opportunities to improve communication during appointments and provide quality medical care.