Hard of hearing OR nurses

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 19, 2020

I'm not sure I can be of much help ... but I can tell you one thing for sure. Make sure you have thoroughly investigated every angle of your situation before you invest a lot of time, energy and money in pursuit of your dream. You don't want to wait until after you are heavily invested (emotionally and financially) to discover that it just won't work well for you.

Do you have the technology that you need to help you hear conversation "really well" when everyone is wearing a mask? has an accent and is wearing a mask? whispering? etc. In the OR, everyone is wearing a mask and if you can't hear well, that will be a heavy burden to bear. If your hearing is good enough that current technology "fixes" the problem for you, then great, go for it. Is your condition stable or are you likely to see further deterioration in the future? etc.

Before you think I am some sort of horrible person who is unwilling to give someone with a disability a chance ... I have a moderate hearing and balance impairment. I know first-hand how hard it is to understand everyone clearly at times, especially if they are wearing a mask or have an accent. As much as I would sometimes love to have perfect hearing and balance again, I have to admit to myself (and the to world) that my disabilities can effect communication and my ability to carry children in my arms-- and they both effect patient safety.

Investigate your actual abilities and ways you can maximize them as much as you can. Then be honest with yourself as to whether or not a particular role is a good fit for you or not. Good luck. I hope you can make it work.

Guest1154929 · Aug 19, 2020

Thank you so much for your input, it is so hard to deal with a hearing impairment. I have two options: hearing aids or a stapedectomy since I have otosclerosis. I would have to wait until after intervention to make a choice. I can imagine how frustrating it gets for you at times.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 22, 2020

Hi there!

We have several coworkers with hearing aids; however, they do struggle. It is not impossible but very it is very important to know that even without a hearing impairment the OR is such a different environment.

Everyone wears a mask, you can't read lips, they tend to mumble and speak amongst themselves. If you're in a teaching facility they are talking the entire time in a low tone voice about the procedure and in between they're asking for instruments or other things that you must be able to catch and tune the rest out.

Also, add to that the sounds of the cautery machine, the suction machine, the anesthesia machine, drills, phones, outside reps, and much more. As a circulator you have to be able to listen from out of the sterile field, while charting and handling any patient care needs, and every single thing the team may need you to retrieve or open.

I don't have a hearing impairment and my first year in the OR I went to my doctor because I was convinced I did. It was so much stimulation and so different that I felt I never understood what they wanted or caught what they said. Turns out I was okay but it took at least one year to feel otherwise.

I know scrub too and its has its struggles as well. I really think you should go shadow for a few days and stand in different parts of the room and give it a whirl before you write off your dream or invest heavily in it like someone mentioned previously.

Best of luck to you!

beachgirl17 · Sep 13, 2020

Hello Ingrid, I just wanted to give some feedback. I am an OR nurse and I wear hearing aids. I actually didn't know I had hearing loss until I began working in the OR. A surgeon told me to get tested because I really didn't hear well and he was right. Hearing aids are expensive - my insurance didn't cover them. Most insurances don't. However, it was a game changer. The technology in the hearing aids continues to improve and offers settings for better listening in different environments.

I do not want to paint a totally rosy picture though. I do struggle sometimes. I think I frustrate my peers sometimes even when I am really trying to understand. Thankfully my coworkers are understanding though. My hearing loss was harder when I was new in the OR. Every word seemed foreign and people don't talk in complete sentences, so it was hard to place the context of the spoken word. After years in the OR, I am able to pay close attention to the procedure (you should be doing this anyway), know my best position in the room for listening, and try to anticipate their needs/wants of what they will say to me.

I have found many people in ORs (I have worked in five) who likely have hearing loss and do not know it or get it addressed. I know I am not alone in the struggle to hear. I won't sugar coat it - I do struggle at times and it is frustrating, but working in the OR with hearing loss is doable if you are determined.

My advice is be prepared to take action on it either with hearing aids or the stapedectomy. Whether you go into the OR or not, hearing the world around you is precious and should be maximized if possible. That's just me two cents.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Sep 14, 2020

On 8/19/2020 at 2:26 AM, Ingrid Serni said:

Hello, I am an aspiring nursing student and I want to be a OR nurse. I have otosclerosis and have moderate hearing loss. Is anybody an OR nurse who happens to be deaf or has hearing loss and could you share your experience with me? I need guidance ?

I see you are still a nursing student. Why do you think you want to be an OR nurse when you are not even a nurse yet?