West Coast EMT Block One Exam

Which method is NOT effective when communicating with patients who are deaf or hard-of-hearing?

1. Shining a light on your face in dark environments

2. Positioning yourself for lip-reading

3. Providing pen and paper for responses

4. Elevating the tone of your voice when speaking

The correct answer is: Elevating the tone of your voice when speaking

Elevating the tone of your voice when speaking is not an effective method for communicating with patients who are deaf or hard-of-hearing because the primary challenge they face is not necessarily the inability to hear higher frequencies, but rather an overall difficulty in hearing sounds at all. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may rely more on visual cues, such as lip-reading, facial expressions, and gestures, than auditory cues. Raising the tone of your voice does not improve clarity; rather, it can distort speech further, making it more difficult for them to understand your words. In contrast, shining a light on your face can enhance visibility, which is important for lip-reading and seeing facial expressions. Positioning yourself for lip-reading allows the patient to see your lips clearly, improving their chances of understanding what is being communicated. Providing pen and paper is a straightforward method that allows for clear written communication, which can be particularly useful if verbal methods are insufficient.