Hearing Aids

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I got my first hearing aids, and tried to use a stethoscope, without success. There's gotta be a way, and I know someone on allnurses will know how.

[registerednutrn, BSN, RN]

I wish I could tell you that there is a better way but there’s not.  I just slip my hearing aids out to use my stethoscope but I do have behind the in aids so I can leave them hanging on my ears. I usually do it in front the patient because I usually put my aids right back in to speak with them.  I have an electronic Littman that I can adjust the volume on.  And when working with Covid patients I use an eko with a Littman head and a set of airpod pros which works well for me.  

[Kitiger, RN]

My hearing aids have soft, silicone ear domes, and I use the stethoscope with my hearing aids in. It isn't as comfortable, but I can hear better that way than when I take the hearing aids out.

 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Amplified stethoscopes assist healthcare workers who have hearing loss  

See their info on Stethoscopes for hearing aid wearers

Visit: Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses

Technical Considerations in Using Stethoscopes

They have a Stethoscope Comparison Table that may help you too.

See if your community has a Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre,  I've referred my HOH and newly deaf patients to them- invaluable advice.

Hoping you find a solution soon.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

thanks everyone, sounds like I'm gonna be playing cats cradle with my mask, glasses and hearing aids.

[Kitiger, RN]

That's me, too. I have a certain way to pull down then up on my right ear mask loop, to try and not tangle it with my hearing aid. When I put on an N95, as I pull the stretchy band over my head, I have to be careful to not catch the hearing aids.

I'm not always successful.

Growing old isn't for sissies.?

[Davey Do]

I've experienced hearing loss in my right ear she to a closed head injury when I was 19 years old. Then about 20 years ago, I had prosthetic plastic ossicles implanted after surgery for a cholesteatoma.

I found that rubber stethoscope earpieces helped me to hear better, along with regular cleansing of cerumen.

I love talking techy.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Back in 2015 my Dad was in ICU with pneumonia. The doctor of the day came in to access him. He slipped his hearing aids out, put them in a case, then put in his stethascope. After he did his assessment he put his earring aids back in. 
I was at first stressing out but the nurse assured me that my Dad was in good  hands and don’t freak out.

She was right

[TigerxLiLy]

I use “in the ear canal” hearing aides now— did have the behind the ear- but with the masks they kept flying across the room even when I was trying to be careful ?? (they were 7 years old so I was OK with getting a upgrade)

I am using the Eko— it CAN bluetooth to my hearing aides- but the sounds is not the same- heart sounds are literally missing the S1/lung sounds are weak.

However— I just put my bone conductor headphones  (just got them didn’t think about using them with stethoscope!)
I can keep my hearing aides in and auscultate the S1 s2 very clearly! 

My patients already think im listening to music with my black in-ear hearing aides, why not add my headphones!

with n95 mask on— the bone conductor headphones will just be another thing on my head ?? so probably just easier to take out one hearing like usual tho.

 

[TigerxLiLy]

On 3/4/2022 at 9:38 AM, Kitiger said:

That's me, too. I have a certain way to pull down then up on my right ear mask loop, to try and not tangle it with my hearing aid. When I put on an N95, as I pull the stretchy band over my head, I have to be careful to not catch the hearing aids.

I'm not always successful.

Growing old isn't for sissies.?

Yep— mine would get twisted in the mask,  slinged shot across the room or so much pressure from the mask/shields would cause pressure injury behind my ears.

[TigerxLiLy]

On 3/3/2022 at 7:09 PM, registerednutrn said:

I wish I could tell you that there is a better way but there’s not.  I just slip my hearing aids out to use my stethoscope but I do have behind the in aids so I can leave them hanging on my ears. I usually do it in front the patient because I usually put my aids right back in to speak with them.  I have an electronic Littman that I can adjust the volume on.  And when working with Covid patients I use an eko with a Littman head and a set of airpod pros which works well for me.  

I don't even bother bringing in my stethoscope to the covid rooms—- usually the cheap one inside does well enough to hear the junk in most of the lungs— plus- most of the med surg covid rooms  have those “air filter fans”.

 

[SmilingBluEyes]

I have an electronic stethoscope that can be turned up and is easy to hear. They are not cheap, but worth it in the long run.  I hope you find your solution soon.