Adult deaf sign language users and audiology services: a scoping review on cultural competence practices.

OBJECTIVE

To examine literature on cultural competence in audiology services for Deaf adult sign language users, identifying themes, evidence gaps, and systemic barriers to inclusive care.

DESIGN

Scoping review following JBI methodology and PRISM-ScR guidance, with a narrative synthesis and a light-touch quality assessment.

STUDY SAMPLE: Comprehensive searches in CINAHL, EMBASE, Project MUSE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and SSCI, supplemented by hand-searching and grey literature, identified 575 sources, of which 13 met inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified: (1) The gap between intent and practice in sign language use (2) Interpreter access: inconsistency and over-reliance; (3) Recognising Deaf signers as a cultural-linguistic minority and (4) Barriers to fostering a culturally competent environment.

CONCLUSIONS

This review synthesises evidence on culturally competent audiology care for Deaf signers. Findings highlight systemic exclusion of Deaf individuals as a cultural-linguistic minority and over-reliance on interpreters, which may create superficial access without broader cultural understanding. There is a critical need for whole-service research to inform more inclusive audiology practice.