I am looking to start in a nursing program this Fall. Could moderate hearing loss disqualify me?
Colin asked:
I just went to the doctor and they said I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. They also say I may need a hearing aid in one ear. They didn’t seem concerned about disqualification from nursing, but I was rejected from the Border Patrol and struggled with the the Philadelphia Police Department over it. I just don’t want to lose yet another opportunity for something that is not debilitating in any way to me.
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I just went to the doctor and they said I have moderate hearing loss in both ears. They also say I may need a hearing aid in one ear. They didn’t seem concerned about disqualification from nursing, but I was rejected from the Border Patrol and struggled with the the Philadelphia Police Department over it. I just don’t want to lose yet another opportunity for something that is not debilitating in any way to me.
May 31st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Hate to break it to you, but hearing is fundamental in nursing.
You need to be able to use a stethoscope with accuracy, and sometimes there is background noise which can make it difficult even for 100% hearing. You need to be able to hear when people call out for you as they don’t always use a call bell. You need to hear unusual sounds or faint alarms that might be pointing to something much bigger.
I think you might be able to work in an area of nursing like research or administration, but I’m not sure you’d be able to make it through nursing school with a hearing loss.
The best thing to do is contact the nursing schools directly to see.