Should I tell nursing school I have a hearing loss?

[alwaysfaithful]

I recently got accepted to nursing school. I was very excited when I received a letter regarding acceptance. Now, I am worried and nervous to tell them that I have a slight hearing loss. Should I tell them or should I wait it out and see if I can get through with it without telling them? It worries me that I will say "huh?" and "what?" alot and the instructors would not like that. Especially if you are dealing with a life-death situation. Any advice on what I should do would be amazing. Thanks!!

[mentalhealthRN]

I worked in the past with an OB/GYN doc in labor and delivery who was completely deaf. She had her own interpreter with her all the time. At first I wondered how she could do her job--I know, ignorant. But I quickly saw how good she was and how it could be done. She was really sweet and did well. There was actually a write about her in the local news paper that same year. So if someone can be a doc and do fine so can a nurse. They have so many things these days. The special stethoscopes and what not. I would be open and honest with your employer. You do have the ADA behind you so go for it! I think the biggest thing is to work to your full potential and to always be aware when you have a limitation so that you can ask for help. Think about it....we all have limitations. A pregnant nurse, or one with a back problem shouldn't go lifting heavy patients, I worked with one of the best psych nurses who had a tremor and she knew she couldn't draw up meds when when needed stat IM meds so she would always ask for help. No biggie. Some nurses can't get in an IV to save their life and always have to get someone to do it. Its called team work. We all have limitations of some kind. So go for it,tell your employer and good luck to you!

[Kstew27]

Hi! Congrats on getting into nursing school! I think that you should let your instructors know about your hearing loss, they can be very helpful if they knew about it. I am in my second semester of an ADN program and I am considered legally deaf. I have no hearing in my left ear and about 30% hearing in my right. I have always been deaf due to being born with a bilateral cleft palate. I started wearing hearing aids when I was 14, but before then I had to rely on reading lips and working on my own in school. The great thing was that I always made A's in school and the teachers were always helpful. If people knew about your hearing loss, they would be more understanding. Oh, a great stethoscope would be one that you can turn on and adjust the volume - mine amplifies sounds about 50x and works great. I hope this helps, and never give up on your dreams or be afraid that people are gonna kick you out of something because of a disability! Good luck!:redpinkhe