Hearing impaired nurse?

enuf_already · Sep 22, 2013

I'm not sure what you mean by an acceptable disability. If you need accommodations such as seating in class by all means speak up! I have no hearing in one ear and some hearing loss in the other. As far as stethoscopes, expense doesn't matter as much as your ability to hear with your good ear. I started nursing with hearing in both ears but don't believe you need stereo hearing to be able to hear blood pressures, heart, or lung sounds.

I do believe it is important to learn to position yourself in your classroom and your patient's room to optimize your hearing. I would at least let your instructors know about your hearing so you can have them repeat things to you without assuming you were not listening. If you are having trouble understanding an instructor or patient because of your hearing, tell them so! My coworkers have learned to ask me which side they should stand on so I can hear them.

Take a deep breath and relax! You can be a great nurse even with a hearing impairment.

runsalot · Sep 22, 2013

Just make sure they know for skills. We had a guy that was hard of hearing and never said any things to the instructors and failed out due to skills.

claritasd · Sep 22, 2013

I think I've seen a post from someone on here who is Deaf, and that person was a nurse. It's totally doable. You just need to speak up for the accommodations you might need, like the previous posters said.

Aaic · Sep 22, 2013

Thank you everyone! I have a terrible time with blood pressures but the nurses I work with would be glad to help me try and figure it out.

furelite · Sep 22, 2013

I am have complete unilateral deafness in the right ear as a result of a acoustic neuroma and extraction surgery in the 1990's. I recently certified as a CNA, and part of that of course was doing blood pressure. You can totally hear with just one ear, you just need to make sure to have the stethoscope seated and positioned well in the ear and know what you are listening for. I am not sure how old you are, but I bet you aren't as old as I am (48). I have been living like this a long time. I always sit up front and on the side of the room that is best for my hearing. Try not to sit right next to other people, as their rattling around will distract you. My biggest concern is that since I have total deafness in one ear, I do not have any directionality of noise. I can't tell where a sound comes from. This could be problematic in a noisy, active environment. And, any time people's mouths are covered by masks and speech is muffled my be an issue. However, I do believe these issues are workable, and with appropriate communication with others can be overcome.