Real Talk - Will wearing hearing aids impact my employability?

[JennHeart31]

I wear hearing aids 24/7. I have mild to moderate hearing loss from otosclerosis and it's pretty well corrected with the HAs, although there is always the possibility that it progresses. I'm at the point in my education where I have time to change directions without too much difficulty. I've just realized, while reviewing requirements for admission to a BSN program, that my hearing loss may be a factor. I did some googling, and I saw a lot of "YES YOU CAN!" and rah rah rah. But I'm 36, going back to school after raising children, I will have an associate's in science after the next semester. I have enough "non-traditional" stuff going on that if the hearing impairment is going to make a substantial difference in my employability after school, I'd rather go into research or something similiar. Real world experiences are much appreciated. Thank you!!

[BassCatchingNurse]

I'd say...if you want to be a nurse then go for it!! I am not a lawyer, but there are laws that companies must follow. One of those laws is the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA). This does cover deaf as well as hard of hearing employees. Basically, all companies can not discriminate and must make reasonable accommodations to those with disabilities.

Again, I am not a lawyer; however, I have been a nurse for 11 years. I work with 2 doctors that wear hearing aides in an ER. I have also met a nurse with one hand and heard of another nurse that was paralyzed from the waist down. As long as you know and understand any limitations that you might have and put your patients first, it should not be an issue. They also sell "amplified stethoscopes." I wish you all the best!!!

[gwccstudent]

I don't see how it would hinder you. There are many amazing nurses with hearing aids. I've also heard of special stethoscopes or something you can add to it to make hearing easier! Best of luck.

[marienm, RN, CCRN]

I work with 2 nurses who wear hearing aids. One is younger (probably late 30s?) and I assume she has worn them her whole life. As long as I get her attention before talking to her, she does fine. Charge nurse in an ICU, well-respected co-worker, etc.

The other is older (mid 50s) and I'm going to guess she has not always been hearing impaired...but now her hearing is really bad, even with the aids. She can't hear people on the phone (especially if they have an accent) so if she pages a doctor, I know *I'll* probably have to talk to the doctor about whatever's going on with her pt. She gives confusing answers to patient questions because she doesn't hear the question. She has excellent clinical skills and a ton of experience, but she often comes across as irritable and difficult. She doesn't seem happy, and I can only imagine her hearing is stressing her out.

Why the details? I think an employer needs to follow ADA, which I have no problem with. But if you're considering whether the nursing journey is worth it, I'd suggest an honest self-assessment of the skills you'll need to perform as a nurse. Clinical stuff is one thing (and an important thing) but honestly the thing I do most at work is talk and listen...to patients, to coworkers, to cranky families on the phone, to the lab calling with critical test results. You get the idea. If you think that's something that would cause you undue stress and difficulty, I'd develop a strategy *now* that lets you address it. Then you can bring up this strategy if you're asked about it in an interview.