Final answer:
The MA should speak slowly and clearly, stand within the patient's field of vision, and use gestures to aid communication when checking in a patient who is hearing impaired.
Step-by-step explanation:
When checking in a patient who is hearing impaired, a medical assistant (MA) should take several actions to ensure effective communication.
Firstly, speak slowly and clearly to improve the patient's chances of understanding despite potential hearing limitations.
Secondly, the MA should stand within the patient's field of vision, which allows the patient to use visual cues such as lip reading or sign language.
Lastly, the MA should use gestures and facial expressions to convey their message, ensuring these actions are visible to the patient. Contrary to choosing to speak loudly, which might not be helpful and could be perceived as disrespectful, using a firm touch to get the patient's attention should be done gently and only when necessary.
Moreover, hand gestures can actually aid in communication with a hearing-impaired patient, as long as they are clear and within the patient's view.