derektrn97

Ok, first off, congrats on not letting limitations keep you from something you want to do. It took me several years to learn that I was the same person as before my hearing loss, just with a little alteration. I presently work in the ER. Of course, I have a familiarity with ER prior to losing my hearing, so when the choice came between two job offers, ER or Home Health, you can see which one I took. But, prior to starting back, I had to put myself through several scenarios on how to address obstacles related to my hearing. And all have a way around them, without jeopardizing pt care, yourself or your coworkers. Now, it obviously helps to have nurses/coworkers who are understanding and will work with your limitations. And I do have that, in spades. Concerning the pts, "don't want to repeat themselves" comment.....bullstuff! If you are honest about your limitations up front when presenting yourself, they understand and are happy to repeat themselves. In the short period of 3wks, working at the bedside, I have occasionally had to have them repeat themselves, without incident. Addressing the phone issue: I have come across a wonderful way to call report to the floors, and again, with a quick explanation of how the phone/computer issue will help me in giving a better report, I have yet to encounter any problems. Is there anyway you can just utilize one ear with your stethoscope? I know when I lost the hearing in my left ear first, my remaining good ear was sufficient enough to use the stethoscope in a adequate manner. If you can, then that should also solve the issue of not missing something that is said by the pt or another nurse/doctor. It isn't imperiative that you use both earpieces to hear correctly with auscultation. Ok, rambled enough, hope I answered all of your questions. If you are interested in the website I utilize for calling report, just let me know.

do I need to "quote" how you and llg responded to the question? both of you took offense and by taking offense, it came off as p.issy. How would you describe your response? and "p.issy" was the word I used in my original response, nothing harsher than that.

in time, I assume the blackberry will have that capability. It probably could, but from the way it was explained to me, you might need a second cellphone to do both functions. But, I may be wrong or misguided on that. I don't have an answer for the interhospital question. Since, I am just getting started back in the hospital myself for the first time since losing my hearing. Plus, in my situation, my city is not in the "3G" network and for some reason, AT&T has poor signal strength inside the building.....but not Verizon, arrrrrrgh!

agreed, good luck.

its a simple procedure in logging in to the specific website via your iPhone, submitting your personal cellphone number and the number you are trying to reach. the website server does the rest. It will call you first, you answer, then the number you are trying to reach will be dialed automatically. It's quite ingenious and works well on the "3G" network. But it has to be that network, or it won't work. try this website and give them a call via your cellphone.... http://www.hamiltoncaptel.com

My point is, it was a legitimate question. Nothing more, nothing less. Why you or any other HOH person gets ***** is beyond me. I deal with the same issues you do, but to a degree more. I don't get ***** if someone asks me how I accomplish something. Why do you have to or anyone else for that matter. It is answers like yours and llg's that can cause the divide already between us and the "hearing world" to widen. Just calmly answer the question. Is that really hard? I never said or infered you were a perfectly hearing person, just that those who are, would probably wonder the same thing the original poster of the question did? I have read your previous posts, and if you had read my rebuttal, you would have notice or acknowledge that I used your personal story to prove barriers can be broke down. I have dealt with narrow minded thinking individuals in my quest for re-introduction into my nursing career. So, how far do you think I would have gotten if I responded like you or llg to a similar question of theirs?

ok, this is to address canoehead, llg, and marvie..... 1. Canoehead question was a legit one, and apparently you missed the smiley face at the end of his question. 2. llg, maybe you should get your feelings off of your sleeve. Refer to #1. 3. marvie, thanks for answering. But you too should not take it as a slight, if you were a perfectly hearing individual who came across the same situation, you would wonder yourself...but maybe to scared to ask. I am a completely deaf RN and have only been deaf for 4.5 yrs. I went on disability initially after losing my hearing, but decided this past fall to return to nursing. I do have an Auditory Brainstem Implant and use a e-scope to ausciltate lung sounds/heart tones. I was just recently rehired back into my local hospital's ER, since that is where the majority of my experience is from. To be honest, when using some of the stories on here to convince my ER manager that it could be done, I referred to marvies story and wondered how that could be accomplished with the mask issue. So, everybody simmer down and just answer the question. We that are hoh/deaf choose to let these types of comments be bothersome, I choose to use it as a teaching point.

actually there is a mobile choice, but it depends on which carrier you have and where you work (signal wise). If you have every heard (pun not intended) of CapTel. It is a service very similar if not the same as your VCO. The Apple iPhone is capable of performing the same function, but has to be in the "3G Network". Otherwise, you would need to separate cellphones to perform the same function. Also, you can do the same function through a laptop with Hamilton CapTel. HTH

let me mention I have just been rehired in the ER at my local hospital. that is where my nursing experience comes from prior to losing my hearing 4.5yrs ago. I do have a Auditory Brainstem Implant, but rely solely on lip reading. It took a lot of determination on my part to explain what I am still capable of and how my limitation can benefit others. Whatever you do, don't give up. There are many uses for deaf/hoh nurses out there.

And I totally see and agree with what you have said.....but it hasn't limited itself to just direct care positions. I initially started looking at paperwork, or desk jobs. It was then that they refused to even interview me, without any explanation. How do I know what I am capable of unless I get in there and do something. So, that lead me to the "all or nothing" approach, especially after reading some of the stories on allnurses. It can be done, with a little modification here or there. As an old ASL instructor once told me, my ears are my eyes. I don't need to hear what a doctor is saying or nurses are saying in a code, if I am the one charting it. I can see what they are giving, I can read cardiac monitors, or Zoll packs. I believe you addressed this in your post also, when you said "reassure them". And that's what I would like to do. But it is a common misperception among hearing people about what we hearing impaired nurses are capable or not capable of doing. I am not asking for someone to forget that I have limited hearing, just don't judge me based on what you read. I have no problem not doing bedside nursing, but all I can offer is where my experience is at. As I had mentioned before, obviously it's a doable thing, I personally worked with an ER physician who was very hard of hearing and wore bilateral ITE aids. Thanks for responding!!

I am totally deaf. I had both hearing nerves severed or damaged when the Acoustic Neuroma's were removed. At the time of the second surgery in 2004, a Auditory Brainstem Implant was placed. The ABI is similar in funtion to the Cochlear, but I am only able to morph a unilateral tone with my lip reading skills to increase my success at lip reading. When I wear my device, I do hear "everything", so like a person with hearing aids or CI, all noise is picked up, and hard to distinguish male from female or direction. But, I am quite capable of picking out a phone/doorbell ringing, IV pump or similar repeatative noises. And as long as you are facing me, I avg about 80% accuracy with my lip reading. ok, to answer the first response. I have changed my approach as of late, and with new interviewees. I also changed the information on my resume as that it wouldn't reflect my limitation. I did interview yesterday for an ER position in a small county hospital. I did quite well, I might add. I only needed maybe 3 questions repeated during the two interviews. I really felt good about it, and was beginning to think I had the job after being given the tour of the hospital....and the Payroll Dept Head in the same interview. But, they said there were 5 more people to interview and I would know something by the end of the week. second response: most of what I have said should answer your primary questions. What am I saying? Well, thats what has put me in this position to start with. I thought full disclosure was a must, as to not look like I am hiding anything. At first, I was looking for something that was not direct patient care related, but didn't matter to them. They brought up the issue of not being able to take phone calls, or M.D's not able to converse with me, normally. So, I took all of the "deaf", "Audtitory Brainstem Implant" info out of my resume and just explained what I have been doing the past four years I have been away from nursing. I will say, I jumped the gun on this current job application as when I finally was able to reach the Nurse Manager and she was very interested in knowing when I could start, I disclosed my limitations. But, I was called back and asked to come in and interview. I feel like I did quite well, as I mentioned above, and progressed onto the second interview with the dept manager. In that second interview, I mentioned again, that I had some limitations, but didn't go to deeply into what I could or could not do. I want to let my actions prove what I am capable of. So, I hope this answered all the questions and thanks for your responses!

very good response above. I have done some research and talked with EN's and SSA. You don't have to use all the 9mos at one time. It is just a total of 9mos in all. You can earn as much as you wish during your TWP as explained to me by SSA....yes even if you earned $10k/mo, you would still receive full benefits. And, it also does not trigger a medical exam to verify your disability either. Concerning EN's (Employer Networks), you should research those as well. I found one in TX that will pay you 75% of what the govt pays them, but they provide no services other than processing your paperwork. There are other EN's that will provide coaching, resume writing, job search, vocational rehab services.....but you don't see any of that money the get paid. And still, there are some that off 50% pay back to you. So, please, research that, if you have other questions, call the "Ticket to Work" program and they will help you even further. I guess, in essence, don't be afraid to call, even if you are unsure about returning back to work. It won't "trigger" anyting that would jeopardize your benefits. HTH

Ok, quick story, lost my hearing due to Acoustic Neuromas as late as 2004. Went on full disability and now trying to get back to the nursing career. But no one will hire me, interviews are few and far between. I know I am well qualified, as I have 7yrs of ER experience with much floating experience to telemetry, ICU, psych, ORTHO, and Med/Surg. I know it's the hearing, but they know not to mention that, or just don't follow up at all. An application I put in for a ORTHO/MS position 2wks ago, got denied based on qualifications......***?? An ER nurse isn't qualified to push pain meds? Interviewed over the phone today for another position in a nearby town, and left hanging once I mentioned my hearing issues. They were hot and heavy for me until I mentioned that. What is a person to do? I know I could sue them if they denied me work by stating it's because of my hearing, but what about hiring someone with less experience but hearing. Can we/I not have some recourse about that??

it is my understanding that once you have used your 9mos, that is it. Now, if you re-entered the workforce and came off completely from disability, you might be able to get another 9mos if you were deemed disabled again. But that is purely a guess. Contact your SSA office

Toronto, look above my post and read that post. I have personally worked with paramedics and doctors using bilateral hearing aides. It can be done, you may have to prove proficiency in your assessment skills, but once you have done that, with or without the use of stethoscopes aides, you should be okay. Whatever happens, keep us informed about how it goes.