This qualitative study was conducted to reveal how the deaf perceive communication with health professionals, and understand the significance of the presence of an oral companion as interlocutor for care in public health services. We performed 11 interviews with deaf people who communicate through sign language. The interviewees' statements were translated into Portuguese, transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis, which resulted in three themes: "communication tools in health care of deaf people", "the presence of the companion as an interlocutor; communication in Brazilian Sign Language''. Communication strategies for deaf users adopted by health professionals are inefficient and even the presence of a companion as interlocutor could not ensure quality care, since the deaf proved taxable in their own health-disease process. In this sense, participants stressed that they preferred to be seen by professionals who know sign language, establishing direct communication, maintaining their privacy and independence.
communication; health care delivery; deafness