Any Deaf, Hard of hearing Nurses?

Nurses Disabilities

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Hello, I've been a member for a while and am delighted to finally see a forum for nurses with limitations. I am profoundly deaf and getting deafer everyday. Although I do wear 2 BTE's, lip read, know asl, I do speak and I work in the operating room. Any other deaf nurses out there? I'd love to chat with you sometime.

Marvie:welcome:

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Hello all and Marvie,

I am HOH and have worn hearing aids since I was 3 years old. I am about 66% deaf in my right ear and about 60% deaf in my left. I used sign language growing up (in a deaf and HOH school) and have lost a lot of it since I have no reason to use it anymore since everyone around me is hearing. I am a nursing student and have purchased a special stethescope to sync with my BTE hearing aids. I also lip read a lot and find it difficult when people don't face me.

It's been a challenge but it's definitely something I can overcome. It hasn't stopped me from doing anything I've wanted to do. Good luck to you all and it's good to know I'm not alone!

Anna

Good luck to you too... I just completed nursing school and my hearing is worse than yours...I just did the RN board and ill get my results tomorrow...stay in touch...

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I am hard of hearing with moderate/severe loss. I was born with nerve damage and cannot hear certain high tones. Ive recently been accepted into a nursing program and I am scared that when I have my physical and they learn of my disability (there was no question on my application about it) that they will take the spot back. I have learner to adapt and for the most part, do not have many issues communicating with people. In fact, I worked as a medical assistant for 3 years and the physicians I worked with never had a problem with my work performance.

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Hi pinayluv - I am currently in 3rd semester with my son who is going to school in Texas on a Deaf waver (which means that any Texas school waves his tuition) lucky him!!!! He has met with no issues from teachers or other nurses in clinicals. starting this semester the school is going to provide CART to him. CART will be amazing for him. In laymans terms it is kind of like closed captioning for the class. He will sign into a website where a transcriptionist is typing out the lecture as the teacher is speaking. I dont think they can take your spot away from you due to a disability. Something tells me this would be against ADA. Just make sure that you buy yourself a really excellent stethoscope.

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Hi pinayluv - I am currently in 3rd semester with my son who is going to school in Texas on a Deaf waver (which means that any Texas school waves his tuition) lucky him!!!! He has met with no issues from teachers or other nurses in clinicals. starting this semester the school is going to provide CART to him. CART will be amazing for him. In laymans terms it is kind of like closed captioning for the class. He will sign into a website where a transcriptionist is typing out the lecture as the teacher is speaking. I dont think they can take your spot away from you due to a disability. Something tells me this would be against ADA. Just make sure that you buy yourself a really excellent stethoscope.

Wow, that is great! I hope my experience will be just as positive, as well. :)

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Thank you HOH11225. I wish you all the best. I hope you passed your boards!

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Thank you HOH11225. I wish you all the best. I hope you passed your boards!

I did pass, it was extremely hard...but god is good all the time...keep in touch with me...

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I am a new grad who is HOH, and it is so nice to know that I'm not the only one! :)

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I am a new grad who is HOH, and it is so nice to know that I'm not the only one! :)

*waves...nice meeting you... Where are you located if you don't mind...

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I'm from Ohio. Nothing too exciting here lol.

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I'm from Ohio. Nothing too exciting here lol.

Cool...

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I did pass, it was extremely hard...but god is good all the time...keep in touch with me...

Congrats!!! :cheers:

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Hi I am profoundly deaf but wear BTE hearing aids in both ears and communicate via speech and lipread, I dont know any sign language other than the basics.

I am almost done with nursing school om Orlando, FL and, I graduate in October 2012. I use a amplified stethoscope.

I am starting my practicum on Sept 1st on a acute care pediatrics unit, I really want to work in Peds. My dream job is Pediatrics ER.

I had a question for those HOH nurses out there- how do you communicate with the doctor over the phone? I can use a phone fine and hear fine on the phone its just a matter of comprehension since the majority of my communication is lipreading. That is my only concern.

I have Captel on my cell phone which I use sometimes but its not very reliable and has a huge lag. Should I just tell the doctors to be patient with me and just make sure to repeat back everything?

Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated

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