Problems you believe a deaf RN might run into

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 16, 2009

How do you plan to handle emergency verbal communication in the OR (where everyone will be wearing masks)? How will you know what the surgeon (and others) are saying?

That is my #1 question. I have a slight hearing impairment myself -- and have some friends who are nurses who have developed significant impairments. That is what they say is the biggest problem that has forced them to retire or to at least move out of bedside nursing. When things go wrong, they can't hear/understand the emergency communication -- which makes it impossible for them to work in any area in which patient care emergencies are likely to occur. They have needed jobs where the situations are not emergencies, allow lip-reading, etc.

I would be interested in knowing how you plan to overcome that problem -- of understanding your colleagues in the OR in an emergency. Many have been able to handle routine, non-emergent communication --- but have struggled in emergencies.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 16, 2009

You cannot lip read in the OR. I can certainly see you practicing elsewhere...

Perhaps if they used clear plastic face shields.

In an emergency everyone will not be facing you, and many people will be talking at once...how can you deal with that?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2009

Until I got my hearing aid I often missed bed and personal alarms. They're hihg-pitched, which I don't hear.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Oct 16, 2009

i am really curious about your stethoscope with the digital screen, it sounds cool.... do you have a link that i could see what it looks like? also, is it only for heart sounds? if so, how will you be able to assess for lung sounds and bowel sounds or assess a dialysis shunt?

emergency situations are something i can see as a potential trouble spot for you as well. there is so much going on and so many different people talking in different directions.

also, i'm not sure about the OR, but i know on the floor we have to communicate alot with doctors via phone. you would have to have access to a TTY in order to get telephone orders or report changes in condition.

i wish you the best of luck in everything!!!

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2009

The cat's out of the bag and I can't hear. I've been deemed physically fit to enter nursing school and potentially practice as an RN.
What issues do you think I might face and how I can be reasonably accomodated under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
I have access to electronic tools such as a stethoscope with a digital screen and cool software equipment to check vitals. This is NOT an issue.
I hope to function mainly as a perioperative nurse and in a first assistant role. I believe that once I understand how the surgeon works, I can assist him in silence by anticipating what he will need me to do and then do it.
Taking histories prior the surgeries may involve problems in communication between me and the patient. However, I'm an expert speech reader and I'm not that worried. I'm fluent in English, ASL, and Spanish, so I'm trilingual.
Please keep your replies kind and sensitive. Thank you.

good luck, and I hope your career path is filled with much reward!

I would imagine that being able to speech read, you would be able to take on any role, even if in an emergency - I would think if all around you have a plan in place and each person has their role, then it would work. For you, having to take direction from a lead person would be helpful in an emergency - then you know who to look to. I haven't worked with a nurse with major hearing loss, and I could imagine your challenges. I wish you the best.

Reading the other posts - which I do after I read your post and then post my response, I am understanding the concern with facemasks. I can see that as an obstacle.

Inspired By Silence · Oct 19, 2009

How do you plan to handle emergency verbal communication in the OR (where everyone will be wearing masks)? How will you know what the surgeon (and others) are saying?
That is my #1 question. I have a slight hearing impairment myself -- and have some friends who are nurses who have developed significant impairments. That is what they say is the biggest problem that has forced them to retire or to at least move out of bedside nursing. When things go wrong, they can't hear/understand the emergency communication -- which makes it impossible for them to work in any area in which patient care emergencies are likely to occur. They have needed jobs where the situations are not emergencies, allow lip-reading, etc.
I would be interested in knowing how you plan to overcome that problem -- of understanding your colleagues in the OR in an emergency. Many have been able to handle routine, non-emergent communication --- but have struggled in emergencies.

I was a bit worried about this at first, but I intend to follow the lead of deaf OR nurses before me.

What we do is familiarize ourselves with emergency policies and the role we, as OR nurses, have in them. A scrub nurse might handle blood control during a blood spurt, a circulator might inject sedation should a patient wake up ahead of time, and so on.

Everyone in the OR has a role, even in emergencies. Should I familiarize myself with all possible emergencies, I can adapt quickly should one present itself by understanding my role.

Verbal communication isn't as big of a deal as many nurses think. It's all about body language and that's one of four languages I'm fluent in.

Another alternative is clear face shields.

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

great point.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

Verbal communication isn't as big of a deal as many nurses think. It's all about body language and that's one of four languages I'm fluent in.

I hope that you get a shot at it.

acubed · Oct 19, 2009

Will you consider continuing your ed and get a NP? My kids NP has a hearing impairment, and we love her. She is super sweet. We were never told ahead of time, we were waiting in the doc's office and she came in. When she spoke, I knew right away, and just tried to remember to face her when speaking (hard when you're trying to calm down young kids). She had a listening device, I guess a hearing aid. When she left I was saying something, and she turned around to hear/see what I was saying. Also, what about a specialty hospital/clinic will be inspired by you to overcome their "obstacles". Hope that helps, hope all works out for u

Inspired By Silence · Oct 19, 2009

Will you consider continuing your ed and get a NP? My kids NP has a hearing impairment, and we love her. She is super sweet. We were never told ahead of time, we were waiting in the doc's office and she came in. When she spoke, I knew right away, and just tried to remember to face her when speaking (hard when you're trying to calm down young kids). She had a listening device, I guess a hearing aid. When she left I was saying something, and she turned around to hear/see what I was saying. Also, what about a specialty hospital/clinic will be inspired by you to overcome their "obstacles". Hope that helps, hope all works out for u

Since I'd like to work with kids, I am looking into acute care pediatric NP programs. I'd like to assist in either neurology or otolayringology surgery because these specialties have a larger deaf population in their practices. I feel my understanding of Deaf culture, my fluency in American Sign Language, and my sensitivities to cultural respect will serve me well in these fields.

Above all, I want to be the one to make sure the pediatric patient is comfortable and understanding what they are going through. Something I wish I had more of in my own childhood.

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

Since I'd like to work with kids, I am looking into acute care pediatric NP programs. I'd like to assist in either neurology or otolayringology surgery because these specialties have a larger deaf population in their practices. I feel my understanding of Deaf culture, my fluency in American Sign Language, and my sensitivities to cultural respect will serve me well in these fields.
Above all, I want to be the one to make sure the pediatric patient is comfortable and understanding what they are going through. Something I wish I had more of in my own childhood.

that is awesome - you will have an understanding with that population, clearly an advantage! You seem to have a clear vision. Wonderful!