Question

How would you care for a patient who is hearing impaired? Discuss specific interventions you could use to communicate effectively.

Answer 1

1.Nursing care in communication.

Good communication is required with the person having hearing impairment.

You should appear directlly infront of the patient .Good light should fall over the speaker's face.. Don't speak from other room or when you are doing other activities. Speak slowly clearly naturally without any shouting movements. Say the name of the speaker before beginning the conversation. Avoid complex sentences. Don't do any activities involving your mouth such as eating washing etc .that will change the actual content of speech.If the patient is having impairment of one ear only ask them which one is good and you can select yourself the side to which you are being seated.Try to reduce or avoid background sounds as much as possible. If the person is having difficulty in some words or phrases even sentences , do repeat the same till he understands what it conveys. Avoid sudden topic change if at all tell him about the same. Avoid communication when the patient is tired or sleepy.If you are talking about any numbers or conveying any numerical data then tell them to speak it back the same to you so that make it sure that the communication reached properly.

2. Interventions for effective communications

Assess the level of impairment of the patient for getting a baseline understanding of patient's status and can modify your communication accordingly. Provide calm and quiet environment .Phrase some questions to be answered simply or yes or no questions . Speak in normal tones.Assisst person to communicate using best hearing aid. Give moral and mental supports and life style changes.Avoid noisy environment. Encourage effective communication between others also.Teach person to use and clean the hearing aid and put ear drops properly. Make him understand the effectiveness of communication. Informing him about the availability of different methods for management of hearing impairment..Emphasize routine examination for documenting the impairment in order to get an opinion for continuing the device or changing of same .Encourage family members to give moral support. If further intervention is needed, inforn the doctor.