AVL Hospital Enhances Communication for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patients
- Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (AVL) hospital is implementing new communication protocols and visual tools to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing patients, following research showing nearly one in five radiotherapy patients...
- Radiotherapy often requires the breath-hold technique, where patients must stop breathing at specific moments during radiation delivery.
- To resolve this, AVL is developing a visual breath-hold system utilizing prism glasses.
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (AVL) hospital is implementing new communication protocols and visual tools to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing patients, following research showing nearly one in five radiotherapy patients has an auditory impairment. The measures include a visual breath-hold system for radiation treatments, updated electronic health records, and the integration of Teletolk video and text services.
Visual Breath-Hold Systems for Radiation Therapy
Radiotherapy often requires the breath-hold technique, where patients must stop breathing at specific moments during radiation delivery. Currently, these instructions are delivered via intercom, which creates a barrier for patients who cannot hear the prompts, according to ICT&health.
To resolve this, AVL is developing a visual breath-hold system utilizing prism glasses. This technology allows patients to follow necessary instructions visually rather than relying on audio cues from the intercom.
Hospital Infrastructure and Digital Access
The hospital is modifying its electronic patient records to include a new icon that alerts healthcare providers to a patient’s auditory impairment. This marker allows staff to adjust communication methods and preparation before the patient arrives for treatment.
AVL is also adding Tolkcontact Teletolk to its website. This service provides an alternative to telephone contact for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have speech impairments, allowing them to communicate with healthcare providers through text or video calls.
Research on Auditory Barriers in Care
These changes stem from a research report titled Auditief beperkten horen in het AVL, conducted by radiotherapy technician Jolanda Mus-Slegers. Mus-Slegers found that patients with hearing loss do not always understand the events occurring during their treatment.
The report indicates that communication needs for these patients are currently insufficiently documented, which can complicate treatment delivery and disrupt scheduling. Mus-Slegers recommended increased visual support, improved information provision, better use of interpreters, and specialized training for healthcare professionals.
Niet iedereen hoort hetzelfde, maar iedereen verdient dezelfde zorg. Met deze verbeteringen zorgen we ervoor dat ook dove en slechthorende patiënten begrijpen wat er gebeurt.
Jolanda Mus-Slegers
Comparative Developments in Auditory Technology
While AVL’s measures focus on immediate clinical process improvements, other researchers are exploring AI-driven hardware to reduce communication barriers.
These experimental glasses use a camera to track a speaker’s lip movements and combine that visual data with sound to isolate a specific voice from background noise. Ongoing research is examining how AI can optimize cochlear implants and hearing aids by automatically suppressing background noise and refining audio signals.