{"id":1594,"date":"2021-11-11T11:38:46","date_gmt":"2021-11-11T19:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/?p=1594"},"modified":"2021-11-11T11:40:32","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T19:40:32","slug":"the-essentials-for-hospital-stays-with-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/the-essentials-for-hospital-stays-with-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"The Essentials for Hospital Stays with Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hospital stays are always a nerve-wracking experience. No one wants to be sick and separated from family and loved ones. However, medical emergencies do arise, and it is important to not delay care.<\/p>\n<p>Hospital stays can pose extra challenges to those with hearing loss. This problem is compounded by the fact that, in general, people with hearing loss spend more time in the hospital than those with normal hearing.<\/p>\n<h2>Hearing Loss Increases Hospital Need<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"hearing-loss-diagnosis-in-hospital\" src=\"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/hearing-loss-diagnosis-in-hospital-256x256.jpg\" alt=\"inspection of inner ear using a lighted instrument\" width=\"398\" height=\"398\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1596\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Research has shown people with <a href=\"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/audiology\/hearing-loss\/hearing-loss-faqs\/\">hearing loss<\/a> are more likely to need hospital care than those without. A 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6439810\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study<\/a> examined hospital data of patients with untreated hearing loss and those with normal hearing over a 10-year period. They found that people with untreated hearing loss had:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>17% greater risk of emergency room visits<\/li>\n<li>44% greater chance of readmission after the initial visit<\/li>\n<li>Longer stays than those without hearing loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Challenges of Being in the Hospital with Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Hospitals can be very noisy, which make it more difficult to hear.<\/li>\n<li>Hospital staff are wearing masks which make lip-reading impossible.<\/li>\n<li>Patients can feel embarrassed or anxious about asking medical personnel to repeat themselves. Especially as hospitals are busy environments, and each patient gets limited time with a doctor or nurse.<\/li>\n<li>Any additional stress makes it harder to hear. Patients are often anxious, tired, feeling unwell and possibly medicated when in the hospital.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How to Make Hospital Stays Easier<\/h2>\n<p>It is essential that you understand what is going on when you are in the hospital. Medical professionals will likely be asking you important questions about your medical history, medications, pain levels, etc.\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Important decisions will have to be made about your health, and it is imperative that you are fully informed when making those decisions. Some tips to make hospital stays easier include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tell your doctor or nurse about your hearing loss. That way they can make a point to make sure you understand what is being said. They also can add it to your chart so other medical staff that you deal with during your stay are aware as well. If you are <a href=\"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/audiology\/hearing-loss\/communication-strategies\/\">unsure someone you are speaking with knows your condition<\/a>, tell them.<\/li>\n<li>Download a transcription app. This lets you record what is being said and go over it again later to avoid confusion.<\/li>\n<li>If apps aren\u2019t your thing, stop somewhere like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centralartsupply.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Central Art<\/a> and pick up an extra notebook to carry around to help you communicate in emergencies.<\/li>\n<li>If possible, have a loved one with you in the hospital so that they can hear what is being said and help you make decisions.<\/li>\n<li>If you decide to bring your hearing aids with you to the hospital, bring something to store them in as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more questions or to or to schedule an appointment with a <a href=\"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/our-practice\/our-providers\/\">hearing professional<\/a>, contact Oregon Ear, Nose &amp; Throat Center today.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"related-posts\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/how-does-yoga-affect-tinnitus-symptoms\/\" class=\"related-post\">How Does Yoga Affect Tinnitus Symptoms?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/what-am-i-missing-with-hearing-loss\/\" class=\"related-post\">What Am I Missing with Hearing Loss?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/will-hearing-aids-change-my-beauty-routine\/\" class=\"related-post\">Will Hearing Aids Change My Beauty Routine?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hospital stays are always a nerve-wracking experience. No one wants to be sick and separated from family and loved ones. However, medical emergencies do arise, and it is important to not delay care. Hospital stays can pose extra challenges to those with hearing loss. This problem is compounded by the fact that, in general, people&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1596,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"Hearing loss can make a hospital stay much more challenging. These tips can help you or a loved one with hearing loss navigate a hospital setting. 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