Can a deaf person be a nurse

Barsumian · Mar 26, 2015

I would disagree with those other nurses. There is no reason you can't be a nurse and you shouldn't let other opinions bring you down. With reasonable accommodation and the right department, I'm sure you would flourish. Not sure what state you are in, but we have a Deaf Doctor here in Texas and I heard he is great; really good in his field of study. Go get em!

middleagednurse · Mar 26, 2015

How about working in a school for deaf cheldren?

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 26, 2015

I am deaf in one ear and slightly hard of hearing in the other. So it is something I have thought about.

Yes, a deaf person can be a nurse -- but it would be silly to think that all settings and specialties would be a practical choice. Communication is very important -- and we have to acknowledge that deaf people have communication challenges. It's not only a problem for us, it causes problems for our patients and the people we work with. We need to consider their needs/desires as well as our own and not force them to accept more challenges than they can reasonably handle.

My advice for any nurse with a significant hearing impairment is to be realistic and acknowledge what their special challenges are -- and what challenges their hearing loss causes for others (patients, co-workers, etc.)

I don't think bedside care is a practical choice if your hearing is minimal. Neither is working in an OR (or anywhere else where people wear masks so that you can't see their lips.) I recommend finding a specialty or job role where you don't have to deal with a lot of background noise and you won't find yourself in emergency situations having to react quickly to rapid conversation from strangers, etc. I work in nursing staff development and have very minimal challenges because of my hearing/balance issues. I can teach a class, participate in meetings, engage in conversation with no special accommodation needed. But I can imagine a lot of scenarios in which my hearing loss would cause problems and/or delay in my responses and I would not want to work in an area where those situations were common.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

ms pooh · Jun 27, 2015

Hi Amber,

I too am a RN who has hearing loss in both ears. I was diagnosed in 1989 and began to wear hearing aids then. My hearing loss is profound in the high frequencies. Since then I have worked in any area that I wanted to everywhere from the emergency department, ICU, on to teaching ACLS. One of the things that helped me work these different areas is that I was always upfront and told my colleges and doctors about my hearing. And yes you are going to face some of the people you work with will be cruel and uncaring about this disability. (that is their problem not yours) I have discovered through my working with my audiologist that you can compensate through lip reading and the correct hearing instrument. I also have an electronic stethoscope that helps alot. Mainly I want to encourage you this disability has not limited my choices in the field of nursing, keep your head up and realize you are in of the most difficult jobs and that you can do it! Feel free to pm or email me.

enuf_already · Jun 27, 2015

My co workers hate that I cannot hear every little thing
.

Do they realize that although it may be an annoyance for them, it is life-altering for you?

Do people with perfect hearing think that those with hearing loss or deafness enjoy missing out on conversations or having to ask people to repeat themselves or look at them when they speak?

Sorry. Temper tantrum over now.

RiskManager · Jun 27, 2015

Absolutely you can. I am in my mid-50's and have had a significant bilateral nerve deafness loss since birth. Between both ears, I have about 45% normal hearing. Several years ago, when I was working with a new audiologist, she did the audiogram, looked at the graph, looked at me, and said she was absolutely amazed that I had graduated from college (several degrees worth) and worked in a profession that involved working with people every day. In her experience, most people with my degree of loss did not go on to higher education and most of them worked in relatively solitary fields, like computers. Good hearing aids help, and I used an amplified stethoscope when I was doing patient care. I still struggle sometimes on the phone or with patients with soft speaking voices. But I tell people right up front that I have a hearing loss and we will have to work together to make certain we communicate.

Let me also at this time put in a shameless plug for hearing aids from Costco. I have never had insurance coverage for hearing aids, and mine typically cost $ 5-6000 per set, and you should get a new set every 4-5 years, with the improvements in technology. So that is a significant out of pocket expense. Last year, after reading an article in Consumer Reports, I went to my local Costco. I have spent a lot of time in audiology and ENT offices for hearing aids, and know quite a bit about the process. Costco has audiologists, and they did as a good of a job at fitting and tuning the aids as I have ever seen. The best part is that my digital ReSound set cost $ 2800 and has a three year free repair warranty. I will definitely go back when I need to replace the set.

So I think that with the correct assistive devices and some accommodation from your patients, colleagues and employer, most areas of nursing are open to you.

K8206 · Jul 6, 2015

I also have hearing loss. I want to apply to nursing school for next year but I am slightly hesitant because of my hearing. The thing that really eats at me is wondering if I'll be able to hear proper sounds with a sethescope. I remember a long time ago when I was in A&P lab and we had to take each other's blood pressure. I don't know if I was doing it wrong, but I couldn't hear a thing. So I'm worried I won't be able to function with a sethescope, but I want to work ER or ICU or pre/post op care nurse. Either way, I really want the RN degree. I know there are lots of other fields that you can do with an RN degree that don't involve being at the bedside. Right now, I do work in an ER, but as a medication reconciliation tech. I love the ER. I would love some thoughts or suggestions if anyone has some.

Thanks,

K

Donna Maheady · Jul 16, 2015

Hi Amber,

There are many nurses with hearing loss working in a variety of settings.

Have you considered being a school nurse at a school for the deaf? Working as a camp nurse for kids with hearing loss?

Could you teach nursing online?

Have you checked out the Association of Health Care Professionals with hearing losses? www.amphl.org. They have a wealth of information.

Don't give up on nursing! Possibilities are endless.

ms pooh · Jul 17, 2015

Wow! Thank you for saying that. Life altering indeed! people also dont realize how hard that we try to compensate, is nice to see someone else gets it

shaylaselma · Feb 9, 2016

I am a Deaf third year nursing student in Vancouver, Canada. I have two sign language interpreters with me full-time. I have run into many problems with nursing faculty and the health authorities questioning my skill just because I am Deaf. However, I continue to prove them wrong by consistently being one of the strongest students. When I graduate I know I want to work with the Deaf population as they are a rather neglected community. There are programs for Deaf people in Vancouver to receive health care and I hope to work for one of those programs. You will always find your place in the system. Don't let anyone tell you you can't. However, I am a realist and I understand every setting is different and not every setting is accessible. But the Deaf community needs more Deaf healthcare workers. I am one of the first Deaf nurses in Canada and we have only 3 Deaf doctors. However, we can provide a unique kind of care for our community because we understand them. I'm very excited to start working!

missnursingstudent19 · Mar 9, 2016

There are clear surgical masks, so working in an OR wouldn't cause a deaf nurse not to be able to read lips.

Can a deaf person be a nurse

Should a deaf/heard of hearing person be a nurse?