CNA · Communication · 6 min read
Communicating with Hearing, Vision and Speech Impairments
- Identify verbal, nonverbal, and environmental techniques to communicate effectively with residents who have hearing loss.
- Describe safe practices for guiding, assisting, and communicating with residents who have visual impairments.
- Apply supportive strategies to assist residents with speech impairments while recognizing signs that require immediate reporting to the nurse.
Techniques for Communicating with Residents Who Have Hearing Impairments
Effective communication begins before words are spoken. When interacting with a resident who has a hearing impairment, the nurse aide should always gain the resident's attention prior to speaking. This can be accomplished by approaching the person from the front or by gently touching an arm. Before starting the conversation, take time to manage the environment. Nurse aides should reduce background noise, such as by turning off the television or closing the door. In addition, ensure that the lighting is positioned on your own face rather than behind you. Proper lighting prevents shadows, allowing the resident to clearly see your facial expressions and read your lips.
Positioning and presentation are critical during verbal interactions. The nurse aide should face the hearing-impaired resident directly at eye level. While speaking, keep your hands and any objects away from your mouth so that lip reading is not obstructed. Speak in a normal, clear tone using a lower pitch rather than shouting. Shouting can distort your words and make them harder to understand. Speak slowly and distinctly to aid comprehension. If the resident does not understand what you said the first time, rephrase the statement using different words rather than simply repeating the original phrase louder.
Supportive communication tools can bridge remaining gaps in understanding. Nurse aides should reinforce verbal messages by using gestures, natural body language, or picture boards. When a resident is able to read and write, offer paper and a pen to write messages back and forth. After sharing information, ask the resident to explain in their own words what they understood. This teach-back step confirms that your message was accurately received without embarrassing the resident.
Common mistakes
- Shouting when speaking to a resident with a hearing or visual impairment, which distorts words and does not assist someone with vision loss.
- Submerging hearing aids in water or cleaning them with alcohol wipes, both of which damage the internal electronics.
- Finishing sentences or interrupting a resident with a speech impairment instead of allowing them adequate time to express their own thoughts.
- Leaving room or closet doors partially ajar, which creates a dangerous collision hazard for residents who cannot see clearly.
Key points
- To communicate with a hearing-impaired resident, gain their attention first, face them at eye level with light on your face, speak in a clear lower pitch, and rephrase messages when needed.
- Clean hearing aids only with a soft, dry cloth or approved tool, never use water or alcohol, store them in a labeled case, and report whistling, drainage, pain, or hearing changes.
- Always identify yourself and explain care before touching a visually impaired resident; keep walkways clear, place call lights within familiar reach, and leave doors fully opened or closed.
- Assist visually impaired residents by using an imaginary clock face to describe meal trays and offering your arm above the elbow when acting as a sighted guide.
- Support speech-impaired residents with patience, yes-or-no questions, and tools like communication boards or writing pads, never finishing their sentences or using baby talk.
- Report critical observations to the nurse promptly, including ear drainage, eye redness, broken glasses, swallowing difficulty, and immediately report sudden slurred speech or facial drooping.
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Sample lesson: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication25 practice questions on this exam
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