https://www.ada.gov/resources/effective-communication/#

This title prohibits private places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. Examples of public accommodations include privately-owned, leased or operated facilities like hotels, restaurants, retail merchants, doctor’s offices, golf courses, private schools, day care centers, health clubs, sports stadiums, movie theaters, and so on.  This title sets the minimum standards for accessibility for alterations and new construction of facilities. It also requires public accommodations to remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense.  This title directs businesses to make "reasonable modifications" to their usual ways of doing things when serving people with disabilities. It also requires that they take steps necessary to communicate effectively with customers with vision, hearing, and speech disabilities.  This title is regulated and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice. 

People who are deaf or hard of hearing use a variety of ways to communicate. Some rely on sign language interpreters or assistive listening devices; some rely primarily on written messages. Many can speak even though they cannot hear. The method of communication and the services or aids the hospital must provide will vary depending upon the abilities of the person who is deaf or hard of hearing and on the complexity and nature of the communications that are required. Effective communication is particularly critical in health care settings where miscommunication may lead to misdiagnosis and improper or delayed medical treatment.

Sign language interpreters

Sign language is used by many people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is a visually interactive language that uses a combination of hand motions, body gestures, and facial expressions. There are several different types of sign language, including American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English.

In the image a doctor is using a sign language interpreter to communicate with the deaf consumer.

It is inappropriate to ask family members or other companions to interpret for a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. Family members may be unable to interpret accurately in the emotional situation that often exists in a medical emergency.

Hospitals should have arrangements in place to ensure that qualified interpreters are readily available on a scheduled basis and on an unscheduled basis with minimal delay, including on-call arrangements for after-hours emergencies. Larger facilities may choose to have interpreters on staff.

Businesses, including nonprofits, that serve the public (also called public accommodations) include, for example:

• Restaurants
• Hotels/motels
• Shops
• Movie theaters
• Private schools (including housing)
• Doctors’ offices and private hospitals
• Day care centers
• Gyms
• Organizations offering courses or examinations related to:
  • Applications, licensing, certification or credentialing for professional or trade purposes
• Privately operated transit
• Examples of privately-operated transit include:
  • Intercity and charter buses
  • Hotel shuttles
  • Airport shuttles
• Commercial facilities (need only comply with requirements of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Examples of commercial facilities include:
  • Office buildings
  • Warehouses
  • Factories