Nurse with hearing loss?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in NICU.

Question...do you think that you can be a good nurse with hearing loss in one ear? I am a student nurse with 2 semesters to go for ADN. I have had ear problems my whole life and had tubes and 2 previous tympanoplastys on the left. I recently learned that I have a cholesteatoma in my left ear. I will require surgery and could end up with no hearing in that ear for several weeks (if no reconstruction of the hearing bones are needed) to several months (if reconstruction of hearing bones is needed) to permanent loss (not likely, I think). I currently have normal hearing on the right and moderate loss on the left. I feel that I am safe now, my only concern is during the healing period or after if the hearing ends up worse. Thanks for any input. I would just be devestated if this ends my nursing dream. :idea:

Thanks!

Bobbi

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Specializes in Ob/Gyn, Ped & PACU.

I have Meniere's disease with some hearing loss in the right ear. They do make some stethoscopes that are designed for those of us that are hard of hearing. Thankfully I have not had to get one yet, but having a ventilation tube in the right ear does make it more sensitive to sound. Good luck & I will keep you in my prayers.

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Specializes in OB, NP, Nurse Educator.

I have worked with a nurse who was profoundly hard of hearing - unless you know it, you would not guess it.

If you can hear out of one ear you should be in pretty good shape.

Good luck.

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I have bilateral hearing loss...cannot hear high pitches or soft tones, since early childhood. The ER setting has been good for me because everyone's always yelling, but if need be there are steths you can buy that amplify. Yes, you can be a good nurse.

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

I work with a wonderful nurse who is deaf in one ear - we all forget that and she occasionally reminds us by gently prodding us to face her so she can read our lips...I felt so bad the other night when she said I kept putting my hand up to my mouth.....

She is a very,very good nurse and I would work with her at any time....go for it girl!

Best of luck!!

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I graduated with a student who is nearly profoundly deaf. Wears hearing aid devices, and this student was one of the top students. Don't let that deter you from something you want. As a side, my son is deaf, he is very intelligent, also has surgical implants, he is a whiz in science and biology and wants to go into the medical field. It is only a disability if you allow it to be, don't let anybody tell you that you can't do something because you hear differently (that is how my son puts it, lol). Good luck to you, I'm sure you will be successful.

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Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.
Question...do you think that you can be a good nurse with hearing loss in one ear? I am a student nurse with 2 semesters to go for ADN. I have had ear problems my whole life and had tubes and 2 previous tympanoplastys on the left. I recently learned that I have a cholesteatoma in my left ear. I will require surgery and could end up with no hearing in that ear for several weeks (if no reconstruction of the hearing bones are needed) to several months (if reconstruction of hearing bones is needed) to permanent loss (not likely, I think). I currently have normal hearing on the right and moderate loss on the left. I feel that I am safe now, my only concern is during the healing period or after if the hearing ends up worse. Thanks for any input. I would just be devestated if this ends my nursing dream. :idea:

Thanks!

Bobbi

Hi Boop777- Thought you might be interested in the following link for the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss. They have a direct link for nurses on their website and also a link about stethoscopes. Also they have information about articles that are about health professionals with hearing loss. This is their direct link.

http://www.amphl.org/about.php

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.

I work with a nurse who is deaf in one ear. She's a great nurse.

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Specializes in Adult Hematology/Oncology.

I'm a hard of hearing nurse! I wear biaural hearing aids and have an amplified stethoscope. No problems so far! :) They h

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Specializes in Adult Hematology/Oncology.

I'm a hard of hearing nurse! I wear biaural hearing aids and have an amplified stethoscope. No problems so far! :) They had to work with me a bit in nursing school. When we were being checked off on blood pressures, the teachers used a dual head stethoscope to check off the students. Well, I couldn't hear using their stethoscope. So the lab just happened to have one of those Bionic Man type dummies... so they programmed in some blood pressures and then I took the blood pressure using my stethoscope. Got them all right.

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Specializes in NICU.

Thanks so much for all the replies! I feel much better after reading these and crying on hubby's shoulder a little and getting lost in textbooks!

I love this site!

Bobbi

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One.of our best nurses has bilat hearing impairment. She has learned to read lips and is quick to remind those around her that she needs certain considerations to communicate such as face to face talks etc...she also has a special steth. This particular nurse is very caring and sensitive to those with disabilities. Don't let your hearing loss keep you from being the good nurse you are destined to be.

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