Healthcare

“People may not always want to disclose an inability to hear, especially if it isn’t the reason for the consultation.” 

—Inclusive environments for patients with hearing loss, 21 Feb 2025

permanent counter hearing loop at UCHealth Hospital front desk

Permanently installed counter hearing loop at the front desk. UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, Colorado

Portable hearing loop on bedside table in hospital

Portable counter hearing loop on bedside table at Nebraska hospital.

Counter hearing loops at check-in counters at medical offices

Counter hearing loops at check-in counters at medical offices. Photo credit: Audio Directions

Pharmacy service counter with a height that can serve a person in a wheelchair. In front is a floor mat that has a hearing loop.

Floor mat hearing loop in front of pharmacy counter. Photo credit: Audio Directions

A doctor visit or hospital stay can be stressful enough, but if you do not hear well, that stress is compounded because of the critical nature of the information being disseminated. It is essential for the patient’s health and well-being that they clearly understand doctors’ and medical staff ‘s instructions. Understanding and asking appropriate questions can avoid mistakes and misunderstandings, which helps the patient to make reasoned decisions and get the safest and best care possible.

I have taken the portable loop with me to all of my doctors appts and have found it extremely helpful. I hear everything and I don’t have to ask them to repeat themselves when I don’t hear them. I have also taken it as an opportunity to talk with them about having portable hearing loops at their reception desks as well as one box available to use in the doctors office when someone is struggling to hear. As you can imagine I have had a variety of responses—some listened to my reasoning for why it was important for them to have these devices available and asked questions and others just blew me off.  It gives me new insights into the quality of communication I am receiving from different health care providers.

Note: individuals can bring their own portable hearing loop, or they can ask their health care professional to provide one as “Effective Communication” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Possible Assistive Listening System Locations

  • Service desks: emergency room check-in, information desk, pharmacy (Counter hearing loops)
  • Individual patients: consultation, patient room (Portable counter hearing loop, portable FM system)
  • Rooms: auditoriums, community rooms, chapel (Permanent hearing loop, FM, IR)

Because communication is a cornerstone of patient safety and quality care, every patient has the right to receive information in a manner he or she understands. Effective communication allows patients to participate more fully in their care. When a patient understands what is being said about his or her care, treatment, and services, that patient is more likely to fulfill critical health care responsibilities. Communicating effectively with patients is also critical to the informed consent process and helps practitioners and hospitals give the best possible care.
—The Joint Commission Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals , “Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual” Chapter, Introduction to Standard R1.01.03 (2019)

Resources

updated 6/18/25

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