HOH -possible for RN job?

Marvie · Aug 7, 2009

Well, I am an RN, deaf , wear two BTE aids, and do fine. I honestly don't use a stethescope however, I do know others with hearing loss that do well. I wish you well.

Hello everyone here.
I just want to know if it is possible to have an RN job when we are HOH?
With hearing aid worn,I'm sure any conversation or doctor's orders can be heard well.
And on assessment, a specialized stethoscope can be used.
Am I on the right thinking? I hope to hear an RN here with such impairment but still succeed to have this kind of job, that is practically using stethoscope all the time and also getting orders.
Just needed some hope, as nursing is really in my heart, but my hearing impairment is causing me some caution to apply this kind of job.
I will appreciate it very much to hear some words from those having the same problem as I have.

charr-RN · Aug 8, 2009

Thanks Marvie!

You give me hope.

I was really that depressed about my being not hired, but on the contrary,realized,that maybe not the right place for me, that's why GOD did'nt give me that job.

I'm sure there are other places to go that will hire me inspite of my disability.I don't have much experience to sell, and my resume is not that impressive either.So now I am thinking of attending some other training to check what place to work, that don't require the use of the stethoscope.

Anyone knows here? I know OR is having a mask,it might also become a difficult situation to hear. I'm thinking of enrolling this diagnostic jobs, wherein you will only be dealing with machines.Any inputs? I don't mind,setting aside my nursing for awhile since I need a job to survive. I hope someone out there will give me some of their ideas to enlighten my mind.Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

aminv · Aug 8, 2009

hi

i am gone get my two hearing aid soon. i work for LTC. you will be fine when you get your speacial stet. i have to get one to. i have to find out where i can get special stet. you can apply for county nurisng jobs where they have only flu clinic, TB clinic and other things. you might not get as much money, but still it is nursing. i was really depressed when doc told me i have to get hearing aid. i have lot of passion to work in ICU, OR, ER, but right now they are not hiring nurses without experience and also i have hearing aid so i felt like my career is going down. But they are other nuring field, doctor's office, outpatient services. keep trying. you will get it.

wolf! · Oct 22, 2009

Hi, I was born hoh bilaterally. I can hear most heart sounds and take b/p's with a good stethoscope.

One would expect the medical community to be accepting. They're not. dr's may want to whisper, and get nasty when i repeat orders back to them. supervisors generally ask about it. and I'm always under a microscope for it.

I get pretty offended when someone says "didn't you hear that" (like the fax machine printing in the next office on a busy floor), as I was more likely concentrating on something and didn't notice it. after being asked about my hearing (not kindly, as I'm more than happy to discuss it if I'm approached in the proper context) by the third or fourth supervisor in a facility I asked her if we can continue this conversation in H.R.

Truth be told, i doubt they'd trust to place a HOH nurse in an or. or anyplace else unless in dire need.

Working for a bigger insitution with a union will afford some protection from discrimination. In a dr office, unless they really like you personally (and they can be quite clickish) you might always be walking on an edge of p'ing off the dr and getting fired.

All of which have absolutely nothing to do with ability to do the job.

BTW I have top of the line aids that cost $7k and have a 98% speech discrimination (better than most the population), and the plus of lipreading, which helped a lot with a lou gherig's(?) pt.

Marvie · Oct 22, 2009

Well, truth be told I have been an OR nurse for going on 9 years and I have progressive bilateral profound deafness and I am one of THE MOST sought RN in the OR. If someone has a problem or question, I am the one they come to...So truth be told it is a shame that you would doubt that a deaf nurse could work in the or "unless there is a dire need". I find that part of the problems I run into is attitudes from other nurses.....like yours. So you might want to rethink your stance on deaf nurses in the OR.....:grn:

wolf! · Oct 22, 2009

I'm glad you are able to respond from experience marvie.

That's exactly my point. it has nothing to do with ability to do with the job, and everything to do with peoples misconceptions. I'm not sure you understood what i was trying to convey in my post.