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Health profile of deaf Canadians: analysis of the Canada Community
Health Survey.





OBJECTIVE: To profile the health of deaf and hard-of-hearing Canadians
in relation to the population as a whole.



MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In addition to indications of deafness or hearing
loss, this study examined health care utilization, several commonly
accepted health outcomes, engagement in health promotion activities, and
perceptions of overall health.



RESULTS: Approximately 4% of respondents in the cross-sectional survey
were considered to have hearing problems. The prevalence of hearing
problems increased with age, with males having a slightly higher
prevalence of hearing problems compared with females (4.52% versus
3.53%). Respondents classified as having hearing problems, whether
hearing loss or deafness, were more likely to report adverse health
conditions and low levels of physical activity, and to experience higher
rates of depression. Respondents classified as having hearing problems
were not more likely to smoke or to drink excessively.



CONCLUSION: Communication is essential to both health promotion and
health care delivery. Deafness-both the disability and the
culture-creates barriers to communication. Individual practitioners can
and should consider the communication needs of individual patients with
hearing loss or deafness to avoid barriers to optimal health.



Can Fam Physician. 2007 Dec;53(12):2140-1.



Woodcock K, Pole JD.





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