How Hearing Care Professionals and Interpreters Work Together Before and After Appointments

What is it about?

Clear communication is essential in hearing care. When patients and hearing care professionals do not speak the same language, spoken language interpreters help support communication. However, misunderstandings can occur and may affect diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. This study explored how hearing care professionals and interpreters communicate with each other before and after interpreter-assisted appointments. We interviewed hearing care professionals and interpreters and conducted a survey to understand their views and experiences. We found important differences in how the two groups viewed these communication practices. Interpreters were generally more supportive of briefing discussions before appointments than hearing care professionals. Support for debriefing discussions after appointments was lower overall, and participants often had different understandings of what debriefing involves and why it might be useful. Although many participants recognised the potential value of structured communication, these practices were not consistently used. Time constraints, workplace systems, and limited opportunities for collaboration were common barriers. The findings suggest that improving communication between hearing care professionals and interpreters before and after appointments may help reduce misunderstandings and support safer, more effective hearing care.

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Why is it important?

Communication errors during interpreter-assisted healthcare appointments can have serious consequences. In hearing care, misunderstandings may affect assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decisions. This study identifies barriers to effective collaboration between hearing care professionals and interpreters and highlights opportunities to improve communication practices and support better patient care.

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