How I did it!...Hearing impaired new ADN grad...

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I am a new graduate of an ADN program. I am also moderate to severely hearing impaired. I can see the need for some encouragement to those overcoming huge obstacles with nursing and hearing disabilities, especially students. Yes, it can be done! Yes, you will work harder! My motto is "if you can't get over the mountain, then, by all means find a way to get around it". According to my instructors, I have graduated with some of the top students in the class. I have also aced my clinicals at the hospitals to where my instructors rarely needed to monitor my skills. My intructors grew to trust me. My compensatory skills and my desire to be the best nurse I could possibly be was enough for them to see that I was serious about nursing. I left no stone unturned and was meticulous in my work at the hospital. I am extremely analytical and have acquired ADN level critcal thinking skills, which by the way are improved as your nursing career goes on. I love to learn and I love the sciences. I will continue to the MSN level. I wear two BTE hearing aids, use an E-Scope, have paid close attention to class instruction with lip reading, have studied my tail off (I read, read, read!), and mastered all my nursing courses to the point where even hearing students knew I had a few answers to some challenging questions. I handed in all my assignments on time and typed professionally. I was never late or absent for class. I closely listened to all my patients. I asked questions and kindly asked answers to be repeated. I gave no reason for anyone to question my ability to succeed not only as a nursing student, but, as a future professional nurse. I always introduced myself with my name, a handshake, and a quick "I am also hearing impaired", statement. I have had the smartest, wisest, and most compassionate instructors and fellow students who have never made me feel less of a person or professional. We have all helped one another and I am proud to have been part of such an intelligent and caring group of individuals. God and my family, too, deserve all the praise because they have helped me through a rigorous program and through the tough times when I felt like giving up. God bless nurses with disabilities! "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better" (Dr. Emile Coue).

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Beachcomber5,

Hello!!

I am also hearing impaired. I read your posting and it motivates me to get done with school. I am a older student, but I find that my love for school is even greater than it was before. I just love to learn and I plan on getting my NP (specializing in Women's Health) I also work in a hosptial part-time. I work in an Oncology Unit. I don't normally tell anyone of my disability. I do work with the Dept. of Rehab in my county, they have been extremely helpful and will be paying for me to get my RN. I just recently have to make a decision. My job and working the 12 hour shifts while going to school has made it difficult to keep my grades up. I have been seriously thinking about quitting my job to concentrate on my studies. My kids need a better life. I really don't know what to do. Well, anyways I don't want to sound like I need pitty from anyone. There two things I never tell an employer 1. my disabliity and 2. the amount of children i have. please email me anytime. I think your posting is what i needed read today. talk to you soon,

Carla

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Hi Carla! It was a pleasure reading your reply. Did you know that the average age of a nursing student is 43 yrs young in America? I am 44. My neighbor just graduated with her masters in nursing at 51! She is now a NP. Students ranged from 18-74 in my class with most being over 30 yrs. Three of us had hearing impairments for a total of seven with some kind of disability. You sound like you could definitely go for NP. My goal is in research. As for your other comments, we are not obligated to disclose our disability, however, after I have been hired (I worked as a Nurse-Tech, but, now going for GN), I did tell my managers of my impairment without elaborating. This has actually liberated me in feeling it's okay to be me! They have also accommodated me with phone amplification. When you think about it, telling others of our disability also puts the other person on a fair playing ground, as well. No longer do I get those puzzled looks from people who wonder is she just not listening or just rude. According to the laws of the ADA, we cannot be discriminated against if we can handle the physical requirements of our jobs. So, who do I fear, but, God! Also, this attitude has brought me in as a team player because people know the deal. You'd be surprised how many nurses have hearing impairments. I know of three on the med-surg floor that I worked and two in specialty areas. I know of one who had cochlear implants and is working as a flight nurse with helicopter transported patients. Now, that's courage! As for the children, I have three, and again, like anybody else, I have a right to proclaim them to the world! We cannot be discriminated against for having dependents..this is also unlawful. Finally, nursing school is hard enough without working elsewhere. Hope you can pull it off. Only five students out of 60 worked while attending school. We're all in this together...life is short...be free...just go for it! :yeah:

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congrats to u both on becoming nurses!!! I am hearing impaired in both ears an wear BTE aids. I went to nursing school 8yrs ago but did not pass the lecture part. I was awesome at clinicals because of the experience as a cna. Studying is what I slacked in. I am now 34 with 4 kids and miss the nursing atmosphere. Especially when I take my kids to doctors visits or someone in my family is hospitalized...i think about what a good nurse I would of made. Today my hearing is worse than 8 yrs ago but I not deaf. Sometimes I do ask for repeats especially if they don't face me. I am ok on telephones but if I get a idiot that don't speak clear then I am frustrated... so does this ever happen to u nurses??

Well I am very proud for both of u and u make deaf and HOH people have hope to be what they want to be. Yes they can do it but u have to be determined and have strong study skills. That is cool that you posted urself and let the world know you can do it. U have helped many others in the future to want to become something regardless of their disability...

YOU R COURAGEOUS!!!:yeah:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Many congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience!

:up:

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Thank you for your post, allycat, and yes...there will always be those voices that are difficult to hear, especially the high pitched, soft ones that carry a heavy accent. This is where two nurses listening in on the phone at the same time come in to play. Even people who have good hearing have difficulty with these types of voices, so...they're used to verifying orders with another nurse listening in on the conversation. You're kind words have been a positive validation for me, too. Thanks for taking time out to comment on this thread.

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Specializes in OR.

:clpty::ancong!: Hopefully, both here and in the world you will find encouragement and support from myself and other nurses who are capeable and have hearing loss. Much success to you.:yeah:

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Beachcomber..never thought about the two nurses listening in. No biggie on praising you on ur success. U deserve it. Its hard work for anyone with a disability or not to go to college and finish. But hands up to you on ur future as a great and understanding nurse.

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hello,

thank you so much for the post. i am hearing impaired and have just started a nursing program. i can read what i don't hear however, because of not being familiar with the science terminology i am having a hard time. i am in the process of getting hearing aids so i am hoping this will make life a little easier. any info about what stethoscope is best to use with in ear hearing aids would be greatly appreciated.

thank you so much again for the post! great to know i am not alone....

:yeah:

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Thanks for your reply "have4angels"...and it is also nice to know that I'm not alone either! Congratulations upon entering nursing school, and yes, you will become more and more familiarized with the "science terminology". It is easier to break down the words into the Greek translation like they taught us in "Medical Terminology" classes during the prerequisites. If you didn't take that class, then maybe you can still go to Barnes and Noble and pick up a small booklet with accompanying CD. It is well worth the money and the time as you will use the techniques throughout the length of the nursing program. As for the hearing part, yes, getting hearing aids will definitely make your school life easier. There was a student in my class who was more hearing impaired than I and I knew he was not only struggling, but, just pretending to hear! He had no clue as to what was going on in the classroom setting and depended on just reading at home. Well, we can all guess what happened...he was always either behind in assignments, or not knowing what to do next in the program (he could afford hearing aids, but, was in denial of needing them). I strongly recommend the e-scope for BTE and "in the ear" hearing aids. In your case, you would need to just keep your headsets (that attach to the unit) resting around your neck to use whenever you need to assess a patient. It is very annoying to keep having to take your aids in and out of your ears to put in a regular stethescope and we run the risk of losing them, too. I was in your shoes once when I wore CICs. You can learn more by googling e-scopes and discovering your options using this stethescope. Again, congratulations...if we can't get over the mountain...then we can always find a way around it! Don't ever give up... just believe!:yeah:

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:ancong!:

I have a mild hearing loss. Until I got one ITE aid in December I had no idea how much compensating I did. I just thought the world was full of rude mumblers.

:)

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:lol_hitti....lo and behold...it is us after all! Thanks for sharing your experience. I used to have a mild hearing impairment also...but, my disability is neurosensory and unfortunately progressive. Even when I was mildly impaired I used two aids for balance, but, I applaud you if you can get by with just one. They are expensive. The good news is...my audiologist believes that, with technology, I will always be able to function in the work world. I need to keep my focus on that and save doubt for later. For now...we keep pressing on like anybody else who has a good mind and caring spirit!

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