Hard of Hearing Nurses? Possible? How?

[CareerThree]

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!!

[auntiegigibsn]

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

I also am a HOH nurse who wears 2 hearing aides - I have heard about the adaptable stethescopes but the one that I had for a while was cumbersome as I had to remove my hearing aides to utilize it. The more expensive ones are not covered by insurance. Luckily, I work on a small floor and everyone is aware of my disability so I just ask another nurse ( or the respiratory therapist) to listen to lung and heart sounds for me. Everyone is accomodating and I have never gotten a negative comment from patients or families. In fact some of my peds patients who have hearing loss think its cool that I have hearing aides too!

I also have been HOH since I was a small child and have learned other ways to adapt.

-JH

[rocks]

This may make you laugh right outloud: The stethoscope that I am using I took off of one of those BP kits from Walgreen's. Believe it or not - that's the one I can hear the best out of. I have discovered that: a) single tube, b) small lumen tube scopes work the best for the hard of hearing. The other thing that seems to make a difference is the distance that the sound is required to travel. Shorter length helps. Maybe when I quit being a student and start being a nurse I'll have time to work on something that will be a little more cost-effective for us all. One never knows. :chuckle

[ZZTopRN, BSN, RN]

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

Just bookmarked your post. Going to research it. Thanks.

[soon2bnycmhnp]

Wow, great information, I wish i can speak to you mom, I am also HOH too i just received my Nursing Assistant certificate , and would be heading to college in the Fall (Nursing). Trust me i have faced obstacles, some people out there are very mean and uncaring, but i quit feeling sorry for myself a long time ago, some times it get so frustrating for me, but guess what this is my dream, Nursing is my life, it is in my blood i know this is my calling.

I will love to talk to your mom about job hunting, obstacles, what to say during the interviews , how to go about the whole process, i would love to hear her stories her advices etc. I am in Brooklyn , NYC your mom can contact me directly @ [email protected]. Thank you.

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!