Summary: Audiological Barriers

Barriers can play a huge part to miscommunication whether it be visual, audiological or even the temperature. Environmental factors such as bright sunlight, noisy traffic or a room that is too hot/cold can all be very distracting. When you are distracted you may be listening but not fully taking in what is being said (passive listening). The best way to deal with distractions is to minimise them in order for everyone involved to concentrate on information being shared. Audiological barriers such as a faulty or missing hearing aid, use of jargon, language barriers, tone of voice or speed of speaking can make the information seem impossible to understand. Cultural, intellectual, or physical differences, or a previous bad experience can affect the way someone interprets the information. They may have already made a decision of output just by viewing interpreter and not yet listening. Language differences, use of slang/jargon will make it harder for the other person to understand what is being said. Prejudice can cloud judgement and vital information could be ignored by age, race, religion, gender, accent or even just by the way someone looks or dresses.
Feeling unwell, tired or in pain the patient or even the healthcare worker. Interruptions if you interrupt your patient you are not giving them chance to finish what they are saying wait until they have finished talking. If someone enters the room and interrupts whilst the consultation is under way this could change the path of mindset and any focus on what was being discussed could be