The silent health care crisis: ethical reflections of health care for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.

Although hearing loss is the second most common disability in this country, comparatively little attention has been directed toward this medical entity. In view of the known poor health status and high health care utilization patterns of deaf and hard-of-hearing (D&HH) persons, this paper analyzes this population's ethical claims to autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Available evidence indicates that the American health care system inadequately acknowledges and fulfills the bioethical claims of the D&HH population. Specific modifications of the medical education and health care system should remedy these shortcomings.