A deaf woman said it was "very upsetting" when a nurse refused to take off her face mask during a hospital MRI scan, as she couldn't understand what was happening.
Margaret Coombes, 48, is profoundly deaf in her left ear and has extreme difficulty hearing in the other which have caused her anxiety and a fear of going out, GrimsbyLive reports.
She was unhappy at the treatment she received at a recent appointment at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.
Margaret asked a nurse to replace her face mask with a visor to allow her to lip read - but claims the nurse refused, leaving her unsure of what was going on.
Margaret said: "It's very upsetting for me and my recent MRI scan was the worst experience of all. I suffer from claustrophobia too so being put in a small space was making me anxious as it was.
"However, on top of that, the nurse wouldn't remove her face mask even though I pointed to my disability mask and said I couldn't hear her, but she just carried on talking.
"By the end, I was very frustrated and incredibly emotional about the whole thing."
Margaret claims it is not the first time she has struggled at an appointment at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital.
"My appointments at the hospital are the worst for me," she said.
"I understand you have to wear a mask or a visor, but no one removes their mask to allow me to lip read.
"It's a problem I've had in more than one area as well. It's happened in the X-ray department as well as the MRI department.
"In these instances, I just nod at any question I'm asked, even though I don't know what they're about."
Being deaf has caused Margaret to have high levels of anxiety.
She said: "I try to avoid people I know as my anxiety will kick in ... knowing it's going to be a struggle to hear anyone.
"I also get embarrassed if I don't hear what people say and basically don't go out unless I need to now. On top of that, I can't use the phone to make or receive calls, I don't hear the door and, frankly, I don't sleep well at night because of it."
Margaret has also had issues in the past with her home life because of her deafness. She said: "I've had neighbours report me for having my television on too loud at times.
"Being deaf is a very lonely, quiet life and it's not great, but it is what it is."
She added: "I am one of many who suffer with hidden disabilities. We all struggle, but it's even more frustrating that this is happening at doctors appointments."
Margaret says her latest experience has left her scared to go to any medical appointment as she's worried her anxiety will flare up and she will be unable to hear the doctors and nurses.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has now reportedly apologised to Margaret.
Chief Executive Dr Peter Reading said: “I would like to send my sincere apologies to this patient for her experience which really should not have happened.
"We offer support to hearing impaired patients in several ways, including clear masks and a range of communication and interpretation tools, including British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and live transcribing.
"We also have clear visors available as an option for staff too. We will be reminding our staff of what is available to them in these circumstances.
"I’m aware this patient has already contacted our Patient Advice and Liaison team about this and we are reviewing this case with the relevant department.”
