Including persons with hearing loss in HIV/AIDS research and practice

Issues: People with hearing loss (HL), including those who are Deaf, deaf, or hard-of-hearing, are at particular risk for HIV transmission. Studies have shown that HIV/AIDS related knowledge is significantly lower among deaf adults than among their hearing peers. Additionally, persons with HL are significantly less likely to receive HIV prevention messages from health professionals. Despite these disparities, very few HIV prevention materials and programs have been developed for or tested with these populations.

Description: This session will describe methods that HIV prevention practitioners and researchers can employ to include persons with HL in program development and evaluation. Some of these methods, including use of an American Sign Language interpreter, captionist, audio loop system, relay service, special seating, and advisory board, were utilized in focus group, interview, and survey research conducted by the presenters to better understand patient-provider communication needs in the context of HL. Other technologies and practices for facilitating participation that were not used in this research will also be briefly discussed.

Lessons Learned: Through various low-cost accommodations, persons with HL were easily included in this study. While these methods can present challenges, their use in future HIV prevention research can expand the pool of resources for persons with HL.

Recommendations: HIV prevention professionals should consider including persons with HL in program planning and evaluation efforts. Many accommodations that facilitate full participation of persons with HL are low-cost and easily accessible to researchers and practitioners, even those without prior experience working with persons with HL.