{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T10:15:52Z","timestamp":1785406552319,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"AOSIS","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]],"date-time":"2026-04-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776816000000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background:\u00a0Effective communication between deaf swimmers and their coaches is vital for the athlete. Swimmers who wear amplification devices are often disadvantaged when engaging in the sport, as the devices cannot be worn, thereby impacting communication.\nObjectives:\u00a0To explore the communication experiences between deaf and hearing-impaired (D and HI) competitive swimmers and their coaches.\nMethod:\u00a0An exploratory phenomenological qualitative research design using online questionnaires was utilised. Non-probability, purposive sampling was employed to select 11 participants (eight D and HI competitive swimmers and three coaches).\nResults:\u00a0Facilitators of effective communication included lip reading, the use of specific made-up signs and writing. Made-up signs are utilised; however, Sign Language was not considered to be the main form of communication because of the lack of knowledge by coaches, thus making communication difficult for swimmers who use Sign Language as their first language. Not being able to wear amplification devices when swimming and the lack of visual-based alerting systems in the swimming arena were identified as barriers. Communication between D and HI swimmers and a deaf coach was described as \u2018seamless\u2019, as an understanding of communication modes is established while working together. Inclusivity in the swimming environment is evident; however, there are instances where D and HI swimmers feel isolated.\nConclusion:\u00a0Communication experiences within the swimming environment included challenges and barriers for both groups of participants. The coach\u2019s relationship with the D and HI swimmer plays a major role in the effectiveness of communication.\nContribution:\u00a0Fostering positive relationships between coaches and D and HI swimmers is mutually beneficial. Audiologists can play a role in encouraging and facilitating communication strategies with such sports men and women.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/sajcd.v73i1.1142","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,21]],"date-time":"2026-04-21T13:21:27Z","timestamp":1776777687000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Communication experiences of deaf and hearing-impaired competitive swimmers and their coaches in South Africa"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"73","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0592-7780","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dhanashree","family":"Pillay","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/03rp50x72","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of the Witwatersrand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-1698-0417","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Caitlin","family":"Lewington","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/03rp50x72","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of the Witwatersrand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abou-Abdallah, M., & Lamyman, A. (2021). Exploring communication difficulties with deaf patients. Clinical Medicine, 21(4), e380\u2013e383. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7861\/clinmed.2021-0111","DOI":"10.7861\/clinmed.2021-0111"},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Allender, S., Cowburn, G., & Foster, C. (2006). Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: A review of qualitative studies. Health Education Research, 21(6), 826\u2013835. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/her\/cyl063","DOI":"10.1093\/her\/cyl063"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Best, C., Lieberman, L., & Arndt, K. (2002). Effective use of interpreters in general physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 73(8), 45\u201350. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/07303084.2002.10608329","DOI":"10.1080\/07303084.2002.10608329"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77\u2013101. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa"},{"key":"ref4","unstructured":"Daisy, J. (2018). Deaf people in a hearing world: A qualitative study of cultural identity issues. Master\u2019s theses and capstones, p. 73. Retrieved from https:\/\/scholars.unh.edu\/thesis\/73"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dominteanu, T. (2011). The significance of the coach\u2013athlete relationship. Indian Journal of Applied Research, 4(7), 512\u2013513. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15373\/2249555x\/july2014\/161","DOI":"10.15373\/2249555X\/July2014\/161"},{"key":"ref6","unstructured":"Ercan, E., Kilic, A., Savas, S., Acak, M., Biyikli, Z., & Tore, H. (2016). Deaf athlete: Is there any difference beyond the hearing loss? Expert Project Publishing House, 52, 241\u2013251."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Foster, R., Fitzgerald, H., & Stride, A. (2018). The socialization and participation of Deaflympians in sport. Sport in Society, 22(12), 1904\u20131918. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17430437.2018.1530219","DOI":"10.1080\/17430437.2018.1530219"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gold, J., & Gold, M. (2007). Access for all: The rise of the Paralympic games. Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, 127(3), 133\u2013141. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1466424007077348","DOI":"10.1177\/1466424007077348"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hammarberg, K., Kirkman, M., & De Lacey, S. (2016). Qualitative research methods: When to use them and how to judge them. Human Reproduction, 31(3), 498\u2013501. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/humrep\/dev334","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dev334"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hammond, A., Jeanes, R., Penney, D., & Leahy, D. (2019). \u2018I feel we are inclusive enough\u2019: Examining swimming coaches\u2019 understandings of inclusion and disability. Sociology of Sport Journal, 36(4), 311\u2013321. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1123\/ssj.2018-0164","DOI":"10.1123\/ssj.2018-0164"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Harvey, S., Cushion, C., Cope, E., & Muir, B. (2013). A season long investigation into coaching behaviours as a function of practice state: the case of three collegiate coaches. Sports Coaching Review, 2(1), 13\u201332. 10.1080\/21640629.2013.837238.","DOI":"10.1080\/21640629.2013.837238"},{"key":"ref12","unstructured":"Houinato, C. (2017). V sports: An even ground for deaf athletes. Program of Industrial Design Capstones, (6). Retrieved from https:\/\/jdc.jefferson.edu\/idcapstones\/6"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Karademir, T. (2015). Fear of negative evaluation of deaf athletes. The Anthropologist, 19(2), 517\u2013523. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09720073.2015.11891686","DOI":"10.1080\/09720073.2015.11891686"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kassing, J., Billings, A., Brown, R., Halone, K., Harrison, K., Krizek, B., Mean, L.J., & Turman, P.D. (2004). Communication in the community of sport: The process of enacting, (re)producing, consuming, and organizing sport. Annals of the International Communication Association, 28(1), 373\u2013409. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/23808985.2004.11679040","DOI":"10.1080\/23808985.2004.11679040"},{"key":"ref15","unstructured":"Kholis, N., Purwowibowo, P., & Ibra, M. (2019). The total communication learning model to support the effectiveness of social interaction for deaf children (p. 409). Atlantis Press."},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kurkov\u00e1, P., & Scheetz, N. (2016). Communication strategies used by physical education teachers and coaches in residential schools for the deaf in the U.S. Acta Facultatis Educationis Physicae Universitatis Comenianae, 56(1), 1\u201315. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1515\/afepuc-2016-0001","DOI":"10.1515\/afepuc-2016-0001"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lincoln, Y.S., & Guba, E.G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.","DOI":"10.1016\/0147-1767(85)90062-8"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McMaster, S., Culver, D., & Werthner, P. (2012). Coaches of athletes with a physical disability: A look at their learning experiences. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 4(2), 226\u2013243. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/2159676x.2012.686060","DOI":"10.1080\/2159676X.2012.686060"},{"key":"ref19","unstructured":"Palmer, C. (2018). Creating successful experiences for deaf children in physical education and athletics: A review of the literature. Kinesiology, Sport Studies, and Physical Education Synthesis Projects. 48. Retrieved from https:\/\/soar.suny.edu\/entities\/publication\/e96a01b2-06e8-4fd3-9897-2a4c8e808ec2"},{"key":"ref20","unstructured":"Scheepers, K. (2021). Terence Parkin. Swimhistory.co.za. Retrieved from https:\/\/swimhistory.co.za\/index.php\/1992-onwards\/terence-parkin"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stauder, E. (2019). Tips to include children with hearing loss in team sports. The Hearing Journal, 72(11), 10. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/01.hj.0000612564.35748.7a","DOI":"10.1097\/01.HJ.0000612564.35748.7a"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tanure Alves, M., de Souza, J., Grenier, M., & Lieberman, L. (2021). The invisible student in physical education classes: voices from deaf and hard of hearing students on inclusion. International Journal Of Inclusive Education, 1\u201316. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/13603116.2021.1931718.","DOI":"10.1080\/13603116.2021.1931718"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Uchida, W., Marsh, H., & Hashimoto, K. (2015). Predictors and correlates of self-esteem in deaf athletes. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 8(1), 21\u201330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5507\/euj.2015.002","DOI":"10.5507\/euj.2015.002"}],"container-title":["South African Journal of Communication Disorders"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/sajcd.org.za\/index.php\/sajcd\/article\/view\/1142\/2725","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,21]],"date-time":"2026-04-21T13:21:43Z","timestamp":1776777703000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/sajcd.org.za\/index.php\/sajcd\/article\/view\/1142"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"references-count":24,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/sajcd.v73i1.1142","relation":{},"ISSN":["0379-8046","2225-4765"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0379-8046","type":"print"},{"value":"2225-4765","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,22]]},"article-number":"a1142"}}