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J Am Acad Audiol 2021; 32(07): 426-432
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729221
Research Article

Assessing Audiologists' Exposure, Knowledge, and Attitudes when Working with Individuals Within the Deaf Culture

Chelsea E. Cottrell
1   Department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences at Gallaudet University, Washington, currently at Boys Town National Research Hospital, Nebraska
,
Larry Medwetsky
2   Department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences at Gallaudet University, Washington
,
Patrick Boudreault
3   Department of ASL and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, Washington, currently in the Knowledge Translation Center at Gallaudet University, Washington
,
Beth A. Easterling
4   Department of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Sociology at Gallaudet University, Washington, currently in the Criminal Justice Program at Mary Baldwin University, Virginia
› Author Affiliations Funding This research was supported in part by a small grant from Gallaudet University Research Support and International Affairs. Portions of this paper were presented at the 2017 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association annual convention.
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Abstract

Background Historically, the Deaf community and audiologists have had differing views concerning hearing loss intervention. Even so, members of the Deaf community may see an audiologist for a variety of reasons and it is important that audiologists understand how to best work with these individuals. Professional audiological organizations encourage cultural competence when working with different cultures, including the Deaf community.

Purpose This study investigates audiologists' current cultural competency and exposure to, knowledge of, and attitudes towards Deaf individuals.

Research Design A survey was sent out to 600 audiologists and descriptive analyses was completed.

Data Collection and Analysis Study data were managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools and subsequently tabulated for each of the various survey questions.

Results Findings indicate that audiologists have relatively limited exposure to this population in a clinical setting, most use interpreters, and most would like to take more ASL courses. Audiologists' attitudes were positive in serving members from the Deaf community.

Conclusion Findings suggest that more education on the use of interpreters would be beneficial. Future research may include examining the Deaf community's experience with audiologists, and the impact of exposure and other variables on the knowledge of and interactions with this population.

Keywords

audiology - cultural competency - Deaf Culture - American Sign Language

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Any mention of a product, service, or procedure in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology does not constitute an endorsement of the product, service, or procedure by the American Academy of Audiology.




Publication History

Received: 20 February 2020

Accepted: 16 March 2021

Article published online:
30 November 2021

© 2021. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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