Any Deaf, Hard of hearing Nurses?

Marvie · Jan 29, 2008

The BTE aids I wear are specially designed for me as a surgical nurse to help supress background noises so that my hearing goes from profound loss to severe. Although it is sometimes very difficult to deal with stuff said in the OR, I try to prepare for whatever may be needed for the case prior to it starting. I also have some great co-workers that have worked out a sign language to signify what they may need. Such as hand gesture for suture...when I ask what type they often show me the needle or write it on a blue towel if when I repeat back to them incorrectly. The docs do the same thing, often there is no need to speak when I am scrubed because we rely on the hand gestures and I also do my best to know the procedure as well as the docs so that I can anticipate what they might need in a given situation. Funny story though, my coworkers did not know that I was deaf until 2 years later when one of them saw my hearing aids ...she was completly shocked and pretty much told everyone. I suppose the surprise was enough to make them supportive. The one thing that I can pass on is to not let anyone tell you what you can't do, prove them wrong and be the best at what you do. Work harder, more efficient, and happier than everyone else. More power to you. :yeah: :anpom::nmbrn:

Hi - you say you work in the OR? Can you explain how you manage if all are wearing surgical masks considering lip-reading may be a challenge then? I'm a deaf RN (although people think I'm hard of hearing) and communicate orally. I rely heavily on lip-reading. I am interested in L&D, OR, & PACU... just need to get started somewhere and not having much luck.
Any advice you have - please do share!!
Thanks,
redheaded-nurse

redheaded-nurse · Jan 29, 2008

The BTE aids I wear are specially designed for me as a surgical nurse to help supress background noises so that my hearing goes from profound loss to severe. Although it is sometimes very difficult to deal with stuff said in the OR, I try to prepare for whatever may be needed for the case prior to it starting. I also have some great co-workers that have worked out a sign language to signify what they may need. Such as hand gesture for suture...when I ask what type they often show me the needle or write it on a blue towel if when I repeat back to them incorrectly. The docs do the same thing, often there is no need to speak when I am scrubed because we rely on the hand gestures and I also do my best to know the procedure as well as the docs so that I can anticipate what they might need in a given situation. Funny story though, my coworkers did not know that I was deaf until 2 years later when one of them saw my hearing aids ...she was completly shocked and pretty much told everyone. I suppose the surprise was enough to make them supportive. The one thing that I can pass on is to not let anyone tell you what you can't do, prove them wrong and be the best at what you do. Work harder, more efficient, and happier than everyone else. More power to you.:anpom::nmbrn:

AWESOME and KUDOS to you!!!

:bow:

I'm still not having any luck getting a job. I've tried applying for open RN positions only to get the same responses indicating I had to have 1+ yrs experience or already undergone an internship. One of my instructors says it isn't true and to keep applying. I've been applying and remaining persistent (which is GOOD according to another instructor).

What can I do to increase my chances of getting a RN job? I love nursing, I looked forward to my clinical training/rotation & transition work. Another instructor said she could tell I had the passion for the profession and enjoyed watching me at it. I would like to put my skills and knowledge to use. I miss working as a nurse...

Any suggestions you may have... I would appreciate it GREATLY... Sigh..... :sniff:

Thanks!!!!!

forensicpink · Jan 29, 2008

Hi,

My name is Hannah and I am a hard of hearing nurse. I have been a nurse for 7 years. I understand some of the frustrations that you have been experiencing. At my work, I have a really cool boss. She understands my needs and she accomodates me. Sometimes other staff does not understand, but she supports me whenever I ask for interpreter for meetings or trainings and she honors my request. I know that I will not have another cool boss like her anywhere else. They are a very rare species. I hope to hear back from you all. I would like to chat.

hannah

:redbeathe

godsweet · Feb 22, 2008

Hello everyone! I am not in nursing school. A few weeks ago, stupid nursing school dismissed me from the program because I am hard of hearing. They believe that I am not safe toward to the patients. BLAH BLAH. This semester was going to be my second semester. That is all i can say :angryfire

God bless you all

Jessica

psychnurse1998 · Feb 28, 2008

Gosh it was good to read these postings. I'm a brand new pre-nursing student who will be applying this coming Feb. Besides the tremendous
anxiety over A&P and Chemistry and keeping a good GPA, the thought of being "found out" about my hearing loss is causing me added stress.
Right now it's not too bad..high decible loss and tinitus in left ear. Now that I know there's "others" out there and special assistance I feel better!

I am EC online Rn nursing program and they do make accomadations for disabled nurses, You have to fill out necessary paper work, which includes a report by a hearing specialist...MD...or whatever MD is related to your disability. YOu might check with your school, or have someone check for you if you are afraid of being found out...In california there are laws protecting rights of disabled..I dont know if those laws are nationwide...

psychnurse1998 · Feb 28, 2008

My main loss is in the 4000 cps range..I am not sure I can hear lung sounds or abdominal sounds. I was thinking of either getting a hearing aid..or asking my school to make accomodations for my disablity, dont know which will help me get through my clinical best. Anyone know if this range of frequency loss would prevent me from hearing lung sounds? I seem to hear heart sounds ok.. Also I called a hearing aid store..and they told me to plan to spend no less than 1000 bucks per ear...is that true?

sojournin.gypsynurse · Feb 29, 2008

hi..i am deaf in l ear d/t cholesteatoma and wear hearing aid in both ears. i am about to start travel nursing and am worried others will be frustrated with my having to remove aid to do vitals. :bow: anyway, you aren't alone........aids are expensive..anyone with hearing loss should see and ent doctor. they do the best work with hearing loss,etc.

susanne

Miami NightNurse · Mar 1, 2008

I am Hard of hearing. It's been 13 years since I had hearing test-that's because I hate the thought of ever wearing hearing aides but I do use a electronic stethoscope, it's called a Littamn 3000 and I can hear breath sounds well with it. There's also a Littman 4000. Here is the site: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Littmann/stethoscope/electronic-auscultation/model-3000/

psychnurse1998 · Mar 1, 2008

hi..i am deaf in l ear d/t cholesteatoma and wear hearing aid in both ears. i am about to start travel nursing and am worried others will be frustrated with my having to remove aid to do vitals. anyway, you aren't alone........aids are expensive..anyone with hearing loss should see and ent doctor. they do the best work with hearing loss,etc.
susanne

thats what i dont understand are there some hearing aid that you dont have to take off to do vs...? if so is it better to have the littman 3000 electronic stethoscope?

BernieRN · Mar 1, 2008

There are different ways to go about using the scope, partly depending on your level of deafness. If you think you might only need assistance with vital signs, then the Littmann 3000 or 4100 might very well be enough for you. It amplifies all sounds, so will amplify the different pitches you need.

If you have more severe hearing loss, there are "shoes" that can be applied to the back of the hearing aids for the scope to go through the mechanics of the aid. This would benefit those people that can

t hear specific tones related to the VS. These would be most likely digital aides and then the audiologist would tweak the hearing aid so that those specific tones you are missing would be turned up, while tones you can already hear will not be turned up to drown the other tones out. The disadvantage of this is that there are wires dealt with and attaching the stethoscope wires to the shoes when you need to.

Another option which was tried for me was to have them make a pit in the ear mold so the amplified scope sits in the pit and the amplification goes through the air vent to your ear. This would be fine except I find that the holes don't line up and I can't be holding the ear pieces to the holes correctly while taking VS.

Another idea I read about was to take the tips off of the stethoscope and have the air holes bored out larger to accommodate the ends of the scope. Then you would leave the aides in and just place the bare tips into the holes to hear. Disadvantage there is a risk of whistling feedback, especially those people with more profound hearing loss.

Also, keep in mind, my digital aides were roughly 3,000.00 each!

Lastly, there is also visual aides that work with most of the electronic stethoscopes.

I have an E scope and it has become less than I need,so I just purchased the Littmann 4100. I haven't had time to really mess with it, so can't really give an honest review for it. I do already feel it is going to be more user friendly with where the controls are and such.

If your hearing is getting progressively worse over time, I would suggest going with the best scope you can afford, since volume can be adjusted according to your needs. I think so far,the Littmann 4100 is going to be the best. Shop around on price, I found it at 419.00.

As far as how I use my scope, I have the pitted ear mold in my right ear (my worst ear) and I take out the aide in my left ear and wear the scope. So, I am basically heavily depending on my left ear to do the hearing. Then, when listening to breathing and bowel, I hold the ear piece at the right ear and move it until the holes match up and I hear better.

I am just now learning and something to keep in mind is that you don't have to be in a big hurry to hear. I felt as though I was taking too long and unless you have an emergency situation, that is not the case.

I am, however, very uncomfortable with putting 3,000.00 in my pocket, but that is going to be far and few between in the long run.

Hope this helps!

Diana

godsweet · Apr 21, 2008

Hello everyone!! I have not been on here very much. I am not a nursing student anymore. I passed nursing classes and clinical. Stupid nursing school dismissed me last Jan. from the ASN program because I am hard of hearing/deaf. SO WHAT!!! I told them that there are deaf nurses out there. They seemed they were not interested. :madface::madface:GRRRR STUPID College. So, now I have a lawyer involved. They are going to get their butt kick!!!!!!

God bless,

Jessica

sunny261 · Apr 21, 2008

That is so unfair....as a mom of 2 deaf daughters I would be really mad. Good for you in getting an attorney and fighting this.....Good Luck and if you need anything know that there are many supporters here!!! :yeah: