Hard of Hearing Nurses? Possible? How?

KarafromPhilly · Jun 27, 2005

The nurse who precepted me at my first job was HOH, to the degree that she needed to wear a hearing aid, and generally she did well. However, she knew that she had her limitations--for example, she was unable to participate in codes b/c of her hearing loss. Overall, she was a very good nurse. She didn't use a special stethoscope that I recall.

The one piece of advice I would give you is to let your coworkers know that you have some hearing loss, especially if you choose not to wear a hearing aid. Until my preceptor told me she was HOH, I was getting irritated at her b/c I thought she was ignoring my questions; in fact, she wasn't even aware I was talking to her. :rolleyes: Good luck in your nursing career. :)

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 27, 2005

It is very possible to work as a nurse if you are HOH, particularly if your impairment is mild. However, if your hearing impairment becomes severe, it can be difficult to hold down a job that involves direct patient care. I have a mild hearing loss and belong to an internet group of people with mild-severe deafness. Some of my friends in that group are nurses and they were not able to continue working after their losses reached a point at which they needed assistance from their co-workers.

It's easier to work with a hearing loss if your job does not involve direct patient care. So, you might want to consider that in your career planning. Also, it would be important for you to know your prognosis. Is your hearing expected to get progressively worse? If so, then you should be planning a career that would be feasible for your limitations.

I'm sorry I can't be of much help in terms of stethescopes and such. My job doesn't involve direct patient care anymore, so I am not up on all the latest assistive devices. But other people can probably help you with that.

llg

hollyster · Jun 27, 2005

One of the pulmunologist that I previously worked with was so HOH that he could not hear a regular conversation. He had an electronic stethescope that could pick up every noise. He would walk in pts rooms with the steth. already in his ears and point the diaphragm at anyone who spoke. He was an excellent MD.

One of the night shift nurses was HOH. She had two hearing aids and still could only hear every other word.

There is a stethescope named Cardiocare. It has a delrin lining that increases sound and blocks outside noises. I do not have hearing problems but used to work in the field and it was great at blocking out the outside noises and made it much easier to hear. I still use it. The cardiology group I worked for ordered them for their entire office.

The scopes were $38.00 with shipping. They have a $10.00 discount for students. www.cardiocare.home.mindspring.com

wonderer · Jun 28, 2005

My Mom is a Nurse and is hearing impaired. I sent her a link to this thread so hopefully she'll figure out how to respond :-). Anyway, my advice to you is follow your heart. There are special stethoscopes for those who are HOH. I'd have to get that information from my Mom. Anyway, she used one for some time. She is now a Nurse Recruiter and absolutely loves it! If your hearing loss would ever get so severe that you would not feel comfortable with patients, the field of Nursing offers many other opportunities! Recruiting is just one example, you could also teach, school nursing, work in a business setting. My brother is severly HOH and he has not let that stop him from pursuing his dreams. Follow your heart and God will lead you to the place you're supposed to be---don't give up because of the "what ifs". Don't feel sorry for yourself either---it seems in life everyone gets their share of something. Best wishes to you! Believe in yourself always!

renerian, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2005

I am hearing impaired. 75% in one and 50% in the other. I wear an aid when I can and have an adapter. Mind you it is not easy. I have to have some face to face words at times depending on the tone from the speaker but I have been fine. I just say pardon alot LOL.

renerian

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2005

It is very possible to work as a nurse if you are HOH, particularly if your impairment is mild. However, if your hearing impairment becomes severe, it can be difficult to hold down a job that involves direct patient care. I have a mild hearing loss and belong to an internet group of people with mild-severe deafness. Some of my friends in that group are nurses and they were not able to continue working after their losses reached a point at which they needed assistance from their co-workers.
It's easier to work with a hearing loss if your job does not involve direct patient care. So, you might want to consider that in your career planning. Also, it would be important for you to know your prognosis. Is your hearing expected to get progressively worse? If so, then you should be planning a career that would be feasible for your limitations.
I'm sorry I can't be of much help in terms of stethescopes and such. My job doesn't involve direct patient care anymore, so I am not up on all the latest assistive devices. But other people can probably help you with that.
llg

I have just recently been fitted with a hearing aid for my right ear. Probably from childhood ear infection. I got a digital hearing aid and it can be adjusted as much as you like. They are very costly. I got a Seimens. They have 3 grades, High, medium and basic. I got the basic and I am pretty happy with it, but I want to find out about the higher grades. It seems like you can do a lot of adjusting on your own. My problem is hearing soft voices like patients who are ill and don't have a lot of energy when they talk. I would like to learn more about them. I guess I could starting looking on websites, but would be interested in what other nurses are doing.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Hubby has a higher level aid than I do by the same company and his automatically adjusts to the stimuli/noise in the room. Mine is actually an older one and your right I don't want it to break and his was over 4,000 which is very costly and insurance does not cover it, you know, hearing is alot of times an elective thing in the eyes of the insurance company :rotfl:

renerian

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Movingalong asked me about the on-line group for people people are late-deafened and/or hard of hearing. It is called the SayWhatClub. The group has several discussion forums, a newsletter, a yearly convention, etc. Membership is free, but we do ask for yearly donations in order to pay the expenses of the organization. It was founded about 10 years ago by some people active in SHHH (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing). I believe you can find it if you do a search for "SayWhatClub".

llg

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Movingalong asked me about the on-line group for people people are late-deafened and/or hard of hearing. It is called the SayWhatClub. The group has several discussion forums, a newsletter, a yearly convention, etc. Membership is free, but we do ask for yearly donations in order to pay the expenses of the organization. It was founded about 10 years ago by some people active in SHHH (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing). I believe you can find it if you do a search for "SayWhatClub".
llg

Thank you so much. I will look them up. The different hearing aids seems to complicated and pricy. I really want to become more educated about them.

rocks · Jun 30, 2005

Hi, I've just had a physical and my hearing is below normal. For day-to-day activity outside of health care the doctor tells me it's my choice whether or not to get a hearing aid. I am a student nurse hoping to start my clinicals soon and am very concerned about what my hearing loss may mean for my career hopes. Are there nurses out there using hearing aids? What about taking vitals? Are there stethoscopes available to help those who have some hearing loss?
Any advice, suggestions, experience will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

I wear one hearing aide (when I have to) and should be wearing two - they cost a lot of money and insurance doesn't cover them. Read lips if you don't want to wear them. People don't speak softly during codes. They have great amplification systems for

rocks · Jun 30, 2005

I wear one hearing aide (when I have to) and should be wearing two - they cost a lot of money and insurance doesn't cover them. Read lips if you don't want to wear them. People don't speak softly during codes. They have great amplification systems for Rocks