Hospital stays are stressful and bound to create anxiety. That anxiety can be amplified if you have hearing loss.
People With Hearing Loss More Likely to Stay in Hospital
Unfortunately, research has shown that people with hearing loss are more likely to need hospital care than those without. A 2019 study 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:
- 17% greater risk of emergency room visits.
- 44% greater chance of readmission after the initial visit.
- More likely to need hospital stays in the first place.
- Longer average length of stays.
Hearing Loss Can Make Hospital Stays Harder
Hospital stays can pose unique challenges when you struggle to hear. Hospitals can be loud and hectic places. Not to mention, most medical providers are still wearing masks, which makes it impossible to read lips. Depending on the reason you are in the hospital, you may be disoriented, confused or medicated. All of these factors make it difficult to communicate.
This can be frustrating and potentially dangerous, as it’s important to know what doctors and nurses are saying so you can give them the correct information as they treat you.
Tips for Reducing Stress During Your Hospital Stay
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help make your hospital stay easier, including:
- Inform all medical providers you interact with that you have hearing loss.
- Ask if they have clear masks or if they can provide you with an amplifier or transcription technology to make communication easier.
- Consider downloading a captioning or transcribing app onto your phone.
- Try to bring your hearing aids and extra batteries (or your charger) if you are able.
- Have a family member or friend with normal hearing accompany them to be present for all important conversations so that they can help keep track of what was said.
- Have a loved one bring items to keep you comfortable. It can be a pillow, comfortable pajamas or a new book to read from [city] bookstore.
Prioritize Hearing Health to Make Communication Easier
Hospital stays can often happen without any warning. If you have hearing loss, it’s important to have regular checkups with your audiologist to make sure your hearing aids are up-to-date and continuing to meet your needs. This helps ensure that you can better understand and communicate with others in an emergency.