Hard of hearing nurses

[snow_bear]

Hi everyone. I originally posted this as a reply to another thread, but never received a response, so maybe it will be seen in a new thread.

I am a pre-nursing student interested in working in the OR. I am hard of hearing due to a non-heriditary birth defect. I'm profoundly deaf in my left ear - there is no nerve function whatsoever. In my right ear, I have normal hearing up to the higher frequencies, then it drops off dramatically. So while I can hear speech, it's not clear. While I've never been taught how to lip read, I have to see someone's face to "hear" what they're saying.

So my biggest question and concern is how do you work around that in the OR where everyone wears a mask covering their mouth?

Thanks in advance. :)

[Dude,RN]

Snow-Bear,

This can be a challenge, as I know from personal experience. I survived bone cancer about 11 years ago, but at the cost of some hearing due to mega doses of chemotherapy. I, too, have problems when I can't see a face (I lip read kinda sorta due to being self taught). When I was working in the NICU and had to attend C-Section deliveries in the OR, or help with hists, D & C's and the like, I made it a point to tell people if they needed anything they needed to let me know in a loud voice because I couldn't see their faces. They knew where I would be standing, and I made my self adept at studying their patterns and needs too. I never got a bad response or anything- in fact, most of the OB's and other nurses appreciated that I told them and was willing to do what I could to fit in where I was needed.

Hearing aides don't help my kind of hearing loss, so I am stuck telling people I work with that I'm half-deaf. I have learned to pick up visual cues and stuff like that. I look at IV pumps instead of waiting to hear them, etc. I have had great co-workers now and in previous places where I have been. I have worked level III NICU for a while and made it a point when I interviewed to explain that I can hear out of a stethoscope for heart/lung sounds, but the higher frequencies don't work for me. (alarms, monitors, etc.) I just needed to be more aware of my surroundings- and that is exactly what I did. I looked at vital monitors frequently, didn't rely on alarms, and developed a great habit of rounding more frequently on my lil kiddos. Not one boss, manager, co-worker, or otherwise has batted an eyelash or thought I was less able than anyone else.

Im just up front about it- and after that if anyone has a problem with it- it's theirs..not yours. Docs and circulators will appreciate your skill and how well you practice, learn, and adapt to the flow- and that is more important than what you "hear" quite a bit of the time. You'll be surprised at how quickly you will adapt- you will expect communication, come to know body language, and develop a great rapport with your co-workers...the hearing won't even be an issue in a few weeks once everyone learns how to work together! And you'd be surprised at how you "make up" your own sign language with you co-workers...in fact, I can remember and neonatal code we ran where not a single one of us spoke a word- my dept director was completely dumbstuck- as was the flight team that was on standby...in retrospect I am sure it looked quite hilarious!

PS- and I'm considered the best listener on the block. I get told so many secrets...partly because I can't hear half of the whispers...and the other part because nobody knows I can lip read with a passable rate of ability. lol

[snow_bear]

Thanks for sharing your story. I feel much better now. :)

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

have you looked into a hearing aid for your good ear? my boyfriend is deaf, but his hearing significantly improves with a hearing aid. i mean without it he cant hear ANYTHING. and when he has it on he can hear me yell for him across the room and even recognize what words im saying if i say them slowly. he can actually call me on the phone and hear what im saying if i talk loud and slow.

anyway, im guessing if you have been HOH since birth, youve been to an audiologist and know your options. good luck! and i think its definitely possible! :)