350 - Healthcare with Hearing Loss: Improving Communication Access in Medical Care, Live from FHH 2026

For people living with hearing loss, navigating healthcare settings can be one of the most stressful communication challenges they face. In this panel discussion from the 6th Annual Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference, moderators Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan are joined by advocates Tony Iacolucci and Peggy Ellertsen to explore the urgent need for better communication access throughout the healthcare system.Together, they discuss the real-world barriers patients with hearing loss encounter during medical appointments, surgeries, emergency care, and telehealth visits — from limited awareness among providers to inconsistent accommodations and inaccessible communication practices. The conversation highlights the growing effort to improve healthcare accessibility through advocacy, education, technology, and systemic change.The panel also introduces the work behind Healthcare with Hearing Loss, an initiative focused on empowering patients, educating providers, and advancing practical solutions such as Communication Access Plans (CAPs), speech-to-text technology, and improved healthcare policies. Throughout the discussion, the speakers emphasize that effective communication in healthcare is not just about convenience — it is essential for patient safety, dignity, and quality of care.To learn more and access additional resources mentioned during the discussion, visit:

• https://www.healthcarewithhearingloss.com/

Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

• - https://x.com/WeekinHearing
• - https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinhearing/
• - https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing

Visit us at: https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/