(A126) Harmonizing Healing: Bridging the Gap Between Otolaryngologists and the Hard of Hearing Community

Introduction: Effective communication is a cornerstone of patient care, yet individuals who are hard of hearing (HOH) face significant barriers when engaging with healthcare providers. This study explores the relationship between otolaryngologists and HOH patients, aiming to identify areas for improvement in communication, resource availability, and overall patient satisfaction.

Methods: A survey-based study was conducted from May 2024 to June 2024 to evaluate communication effectiveness between otolaryngologists and HOH patients. Participants, identified through otolaryngology clinics and hearing support groups, provided demographic information, including age, gender, and years of hearing impairment. The survey assessed factors such as communication methods, empathy, treatment satisfaction, office environment, accessibility, and technological integration. Preliminary analyses included descriptive statistics to identify trends and areas for improvement in patient-provider interactions.

Results: Preliminary findings indicate that while many patients rated their otolaryngologists highly in explaining treatment options (85%, p < 0.05), substantial gaps remain in addressing the unique needs of HOH individuals. Specific challenges highlighted include the impact of environmental noise, inconsistent communication styles, and inadequate visual cues. Only 62% of respondents felt their otolaryngologists fully understood the HOH experience, and 45% expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of support resources, such as information on local support groups.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for otolaryngologists to adopt tailored strategies to improve communication and care for HOH patients. Recommendations include enhanced clinical environments, integration of assistive technologies (e.g., AI captioning and ALDs), and fostering closer collaboration with audiologists. By addressing these areas, otolaryngologists can bridge the gap and foster more inclusive care for the HOH community.