Substance use among deaf and hard of hearing individuals: A scoping review of prevalence and patterns

Background: In substance use research, there is a lack of understanding regarding the prevalence and patterns of use among deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals, and how these may differ from those in the hearing population. Method: A scoping review of 37 studies was conducted to map what is known in the international literature about the prevalence and patterns of substance use among DHH individuals, as well as the research methods employed. Studies were analysed both narratively and thematically. Results: The existing body of research on substance use among DHH individuals is predominantly quantitative and largely based in the United States. While some studies report no significant differences in substance use between DHH and hearing individuals, others do identify notable disparities. The literature is highly heterogeneous in terms of study design and findings. Conclusion: This scoping review reveals considerable knowledge gaps concerning the prevalence and patterns of substance use among DHH individuals, and shows that the research methods used are often poorly tailored to this population. There is an urgent need for more methodologically rigorous and population-sensitive research in this field.