What is the best practice for contacting a person who is deaf or hard of hearing?

• A. Shout and repeat
• B. Use a qualified interpreter
• C. Text message
• D. Bring a sign language chart

Answer: (B)

Effective communication with a deaf or hard-of-hearing person hinges on using a qualified interpreter who can accurately convey messages in both directions. This ensures the person understands instructions, rights, and information, while you clearly understand their responses, which is crucial for safety, accuracy, and proper procedure. Shouting and repeating can distort meaning and come off as disrespectful, and text messaging isn’t reliable or timely in many situations. A sign language chart cannot replace real interpretation and may miss nuances of language. So, arranging for a qualified interpreter best supports clear, accurate, and respectful communication.