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Nurses with Hearing Loss

Last Updated 5 04, 2012


By: Donna Maheady

nurses with hearing lossLet’s face it, hearing loss is a natural part of life—some people are born with a loss and others acquire it. In addition, hearing loss is one of the issues many older people face—nurses are no different. So, it may not be long before you or a nurse you work with will need support. 

Hearing loss doesn’t have to be the end of a career in nursing or an end to aspirations of becoming a nurse. Increasing numbers of nursing students with hearing loss are being admitted to nursing programs. They are graduating and practicing in a variety of health care settings.

Resources are available for nurses and nursing students with hearing loss along with technology and assistive devices.

Where can nurses turn?

 

The Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses provides a wealth of information about amplified and electronic stethoscopes, as well as information for nurses who have had a cochlear implant. www.amphl.org

 

ExceptionalNurse.com provides links to organizations, equipment, technology and nurse/mentors with hearing loss. www.ExceptionalNurse.com

What technology is available?
nurses with hearing loss

A wide range of stethoscopes are available for nurses with hearing loss. Consultation with an audiologist should be part of the process - to ensure that the stethoscope is appropriate.
 

  • A pressure sensitive stethoscope called the UltraScope is available www.ultrascopes.com as well as an electronic “E-Scope”. www.cardionics.com
     
  • Pocket talkers can help to facilitate conversations in one-on-one situations.
     
  • Amplified telephones and captioned telephones are available for use at home or in health care settings.
     
  • Assistive listening devices are available to facilitate communication in classroom situations.
     

What can all nurses do?

 

Nurses are often afraid to disclose a hearing loss. They fear discrimination, embarrassment and potential loss of employment.

 

We can all play a part in promoting healthy hearing and effective communication.
 

  • Think about your own hearing and recognize that hearing loss may be part of your life.  If indicated, get the help you need— serve as a role model for others.nurses with hearing loss
     
  • Do your part to facilitate a workplace that encourages disclosure and acceptance of staff that have a hearing loss.
     
  • Take a sign language class.
     
  • Share hearing related resources with patients and staff.
     
  • Invite a speaker from your local Deaf Service Center to provide an in-service to a group of nurses.
     
  • Consider starting a “Say What” club where nurses and staff with hearing loss can exchange ideas.

  • Share your personal experience with hearing loss or your experience working with a colleague who has a hearing loss.

Anne Greenwald, RN, Surgical Nurse at Bend Surgery Center. She works in Oregon and serves as a mentor with ExceptionalNurse.com. She is profoundly deaf.

Photo courtesy: www.ExceptionalNurse.com

How do you think we could do a better job supporting nurses with hearing loss? Please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!

About the Author:  Donna Maheady, Ed.D., ARNP is a pediatric nurse practitioner, nursing care consultant, and author of the book  "Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses working with disAbilities"  and "Nursing Students with Disabilities Change the Course".  Donna is a strong advocate for inclusion of nurses with disabilities in nursing practice, and has taught nursing for over 20 years and worked with nursing students with a wide range of disabilities.  Donna is the founder of www.ExceptionalNurse.com, a nonprofit resource network for nurses and nursing students with disabilities. 

Click here to read more on Donna Maheady.

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Recent Comments (there are 6 comments)

It is with much frustration that I inform you that I, Anne Greenwald, a deaf RN has been 'terminated" solely due to the fact that I am deaf. Please continue with your work and end this type of discrimination.

Posted By: Anne G on 7 07, 2010

Are you sure you weren't "terminated" because you are a World Class Trouble Maker?!

Posted By: Jeri G on 7 21, 2010

I was also terminated 15 yrs ago, although the facility knew I was hearing impaired, they forced me to resign because I could not hear lung/breath sounds very well with my amplified stethescope and did not disclose this problem.

Posted By: Dot S on 11 06, 2010
are this it`s really true? I`m considering to take nursing, but I`m afraid to do so because I`m a hearing impaired..... Should I do it?
Posted By: Edel O on 6 19, 2011
I have been a nurse for 21 years. Over the past 5 years my hearing has declined despite the use of 2 hearing aids. I am now working in a hospital and am finding it difficult to work having to remove my hearing aids to use my stethoscope. This is an incovenience to me and having to put them in a safe place while I use the stethoscope, risking dropping of losing them is a concern. I am 55 years old and have several years to work before I retire. I am so frustrated right now and stressed. I don't enjoy my nursing job anymore because of the strain of the hearing loss. Just want to have a job where I don't need to depend on my hearing so much.
Posted By: Laurie N on 10 07, 2011
Iam a LPN for the past 8 yrs and yes I do find it difficult to work in certain facility due to my HOH. I am now in school doing my RN I will not give up, I find that the more I let people know about my condition at first the better it is for me and one more thing you just have to find the right environment, being a nurse is flexible.I like MD offices where it's more quiet or home health.
Posted By: Sandy L on 1 25, 2012
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