Seeking medical care during a pandemic can be stressful, whether you have hearing loss or not. But for those with hearing loss, the difficulties are even further magnified as all hospital staff are required to wear masks when interacting with patients. Additionally, family members who normally help facilitate communication between you and your doctor may not be allowed to accompany you during your hospital stay. The Hearing Loss Association of America has created a wonderful resource to help you communicate effectively with your medical providers.
Some tips include:
Printing out a placard stating that you are hard of hearing and you need staff to communicate with you differently
If you have a smartphone, download some free apps that can turn speech into text. If you don’t have a smartphone, consider bringing a dry erase board and marker for staff to use to communicate.
For more information and resources, please see HLAA’s article: How Do I Communicate with Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at the Hospital During COVID-19?
Additionally, if you haven’t had your hearing tested or feel that your hearing aids aren’t working optimally, please give our office a call. We are offering curbside hearing aid cleanings, virtual office visits, and in-office visits when necessary.
