Exploring the Communication Experiences of Hearing-Impaired College Students

Objectives: The studies on hearing-impaired college students in Korea tend to focus on sign language and deaf culture, however studies exploring the communication experiences or communication strategies of students who communicate using spoken language are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to deeply understand their communication experiences and obtain practical information for improving communication services by exploring the meaning and essence of the communication experiences of hearing-impaired college students who use spoken language. Methods: Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with six hearing-impaired college students, and data was organized and analyzed using the Colaizzi phenomenological methodology. The statements extracted during the categorization process were continuously compared, and the analysis and interpretation were repeated, following a cyclical flow of qualitative research. Results: 13 subthemes and 4 themes were categorized into ‘Limitations in communication accessibility’, ‘Positive communication experiences’, ‘Communication characteristics: Loose connection’, and ‘Communication recovery strategies’. And the final category was ‘Communication experiences: Continuation of ceaseless efforts’. Conclusion: The hearing-impaired college students who participated in this study experienced limitations in environmental and physical communication accessibility. Nevertheless, it was confirmed that they positively overcame the communication difficulties caused by hearing impairment through continuous efforts and social communication supports. Based on the results of this study, important factors to consider for smooth communication of hearing-impaired college students and future services were discussed.