[Challenges for receiving hearing-impaired individuals in primary healthcare services]

Health services should properly receive and establish bonds with patients in order to ensure user access and reorganization of care. Users with special needs require specific attention, especially individuals with hearing disabilities, whose needs pose a particular challenge, since "dedicated listening" involves a potential language barrier. This study was conducted in the Community Health Centers of the Conceição Hospital Group, a Federal public institution integrated with the primary care system in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A qualitative approach used semi-structured interviews with 12 health professionals, the Community Health Coordinator, and the Advisory Department for Users with Special Needs. The results showed that health professionals test different approaches to deal with difficulties in communicating with hearing-impaired patients, and that the professionals' overall attitude revealed their discomfort and lack of training for dealing with the needs of patients with hearing disabilities.