Challenges for the nurse in communication with persons with hearing impairments

Objective: Identify challenges for the nurse practice in the process of communication with persons with hearing impairments in Family Health Strategies. Method: a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, carried out through interviews with the twelve Nurses who work in an administrative district of Belém, State of Pará, Brazil, from April to May 2016, being used as data collection technique the interview and for the analysis of the data derived from the speeches, the technique of content analysis proposed by Bardin. Results: we point to weaknesses in communication with deaf patient, such as poor knowledge about Sign Language. We have shown little ability of nurses to establish effective communication with the hearing impaired. Conclusion: this lack of knowledge has proved to be a determining factor and an important communication barrier that compromises the quality of nursing care. Descriptors: Family Nurse Practitioners. Persons With Hearing Impairments. Communication. Sign Language.