A Preliminary Examination of Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes by Collegiate Athletes Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HoH) participate at all levels of athletic competition, but no evidence exists regarding their knowledge of and attitudes toward concussion. The purpose of our study was to explore the knowledge of and attitudes toward concussion in athletes who are D/HoH using the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey. The Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey consists of two subscales, the Concussion Knowledge Index (range 0–25) and the Concussion Attitudes Index (15–75). Athletes who are D/HoH had a Concussion Knowledge Index score of 16.25 ± 3.83 and Concussion Attitudes Index score of 58.04 ± 6.44. There were differences between races for Concussion Knowledge Index scores (p < .01). Findings may allow health care professionals to better target educational interventions for athletes who are D/HoH.