nursing student with severe hearing loss

jeninthedesert, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

I have moderate bilateral hearing loss and I wear hearing aids. I have difficulty hearing low frequencies, so all of the body sounds can be difficult for me to pick up with certain stethoscopes. So, I use a Prestige Medical cardiology stethoscope while I am in school (working on my RN). When I graduate, I plan on spending the money to get the electronic stethoscope with amplification.

I have worked with some RN's who had severe hearing loss. One nurse had cochlear implants and relied on her electronic stethoscope. They were very astute nurses and very good at their jobs. Don't give up and don't worry! You can do this. It's just a matter of navigating the hearing loss and finding ways to allow you to hear the body sounds.

Be honest with your clinical instructors so they can help you. It was embarrassing for me to do, but I walked up to my clinical lab instructor and told her right away that I wear hearing aids. She was very, very nice about it.

Try out some cardiology stethoscopes. My Prestige cardiology stethoscope was $96. I don't know if it will help with your type of hearing loss, but is has helped with mine.

kmoonshine, RN · Jan 5, 2009

I posted this in the stethoscope forum but fear I will not get many responses:
I am very concerned. I have always had hearing loss but in the past year it has gotten very bad. I have severe loss in my right ear and moderate in my left. I am now wearing bilateral hearing aids. (I have always had to wear a hearing aid in my right ear). It is getting harder and harder to hear blood pressure. I keep having to have another nurse check me. It is getting embarrassing. I am an LPN by the way. I have an older electronic adscope which isn't always doing the trick right now. I am also about to starting nursing school for my RN. I am done with my pre-req's. I am very concerned about hearing lung sounds. I am crying and losing sleep over it. It seems silly but I would hate to come this far and not get my RN because of my hearing loss. Does anybody have severe hearing loss or know anybody who does who could give me advice? Is there a stethoscope I could use that would be better? It is breaking my heart. I am going to see an ENT but apparently my hearing loss is do to calcium deposits and there is nothing that can be done. I have searched older posts but most people have mild hearing loss or the thread is very old and the links are out of service.
I also wonder about disclosing my situation to the director of the nursing program. It is a very competitive program and I don't want to get discriminated against. However, I don't want to be secretive.
Thanks,
Colleen

There are options out there for nurses with hearing loss:

http://www.allheart.com/electronic-stethoscopes.html

Perhaps see if an audiologist can help, since the equipment is so specialized.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jan 5, 2009

Definitely talk to the director of your school. She (or He) may be able to recommend some interventions to put into place to give you an easier go of things. Also - definitely talk to your audiologist who also may have some ideas for you. Don't give up hope. You CAN do this!

athena55, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

Hi...Don't give up! Lots of professionals out there (MDs, RNs, LPNs, Veterinarians, Teachers, Dentists, Professors) who have severe to profound hearing loss went to school, took their licensing Boards and WORK.

Check out electronic stethoscopes (google or ask.com) I use one that was kind of expensive [Littman 4000] but it works for me (Profound)

Also check out your local VESID office, they (fingers crossed) should be able to help you with $$ to wards the stethoscope and/or your education

metfan · Jan 5, 2009

Thanks for the great advice. I had no idea there were so many options as far as stethoscopes go. There are even scopes that attach to my hearing aids. Also, I think I can get ear molds made that will fit my stethoscope so I would not have to take out my aids when using it. I really should stop feeling sorry for myself...let's face it...there are many people with worse situations than me. I will approach the dirctor of the nursing dept with my issues and solutions. I made an appointment with my audiolosgist to talk to him. I will do it. I may simply try a new electronic stethoscope. There are many good ones out there. An added question...can you return stethoscopes? I would love to try a littman electronic. If it does not meet my expectations, can I return it? I guess I should ask the dealer. Thanks again....I feel much better. I can do it!. Colleen

nurseklw72 · Jan 5, 2009

I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. I wear digital CIC hearing aids. Of course, it's a big PITA to remove the hearing aids to use the stethoscope, but I make do. I use a Littman electronic stethoscope. I think it's a 2000. I've had it a few years. Over the course of 8 years, I've purchased 3 electronic stethoscopes. They tend to break down easily. I was talking to my audiologist about the stethoscope issue. She was telling me there's a stethoscope on the market that is compatible to some hearing aids and can be worn over the top of them without interference. Apparently it's ridiculously expensive and you have to purchase the hearing aids that are compatible. I don't exactly have a gold mine. As far as letting your director know what's going on with your hearing, it's a good idea to let them know. If you were having trouble, they might assume that you just don't know what you're doing and may not be cut out for the job. It's best to be up front.

metfan · Jan 5, 2009

Thank you so much. I went to the VESID website and their branch in my county is at my school! I emailed them and am going to see them. It sounds like I will get assistance with whatever I need! I also emailed the VESID office. I want to be as informed as possible about my rights as I approach the nursing dept. and continue in my carreer. I feel so much better. I never even heard of the VESID before. I never thought about myself as having a disability, but I do. Thanks again. Colleen