The purpose of this study was to review the scientific production on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of deaf people. This was an integrative review carried out in the Virtual Health Library, PubMed and CAPES (Coordination Office for Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) periodicals portal. The results indicated that anxiety and depression symptoms are greater among deaf people and may be related to difficulties in communication. People who experience communication problems avoid new social relationships and this may increase social isolation and diminish HRQOL. For deaf people who communicate in sign language, HRQOL can only be effectively evaluated by instruments that have been translated and adapted to their language. In conclusion, deafness has a negative impact on these individuals’ HRQOL.
Deafness; Sign language; Quality of life; Review
