Hearing-impaired patients in the medical setting

Abstract

Physicians may encounter unique problems in providing medical services to patients with severe hearing impairments, and they may not be aware of the legal rights of these patients to specific services under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Most physicians have relatively little contact with the hearing impaired and thus are unprepared for the unique challenges presented by this population. The authors present basic information needed by physicians and their staffs to appropriately serve the hearing impaired.