Medical issues that require hospitalization do come up, and it’s important to seek care as soon as possible if you believe it is needed.
Even if necessary, staying in the hospital can already cause anxiety, and hearing loss can compound it.
Hearing Loss and Hospital Care 
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
They were also more likely to need hospital stays in the first place and their length of stay tended to be longer than those without hearing loss.
Hospital Stays Can Be More Difficult with Hearing Loss
Having to stay in the hospital can pose extra challenges to those with hearing loss. You may be disoriented, tired, medicated or confused, depending on the reason for your stay. On top of that, the hospital can be loud, and your medical providers are all wearing masks, which makes it impossible to read lips. All of this makes it difficult to understand what is happening.
This can be especially scary in a hospital as you need to know what doctors and nurses are asking so you can give them the correct information as they treat you.
Tips to Make Your Hospital Stay Easier
- Inform all medical providers you interact with that you have hearing loss. They often won’t be able to guess on their own. By knowing that it is harder for you to hear, staff can take extra care to make sure you understand what is being said. They can use clear masks or provide you with an amplifier or transcription technology to make communication easier. They can also make a note on your record for their fellow healthcare workers to see.
- Consider downloading a captioning or transcribing app onto your phone.
- If that is too technical, consider picking up extra notepads and pens at Patrick & Co. to have them on hand in case of emergencies.
- Bring your hearing aids and a charger or batteries if you can.
- Have a family member or friend with normal hearing accompany you and be present for any important conversations or decision-making that must take place.
The best tip is to make sure you are staying on top of your hearing health by having regular appointments and adjusting your hearing aids as needed. This will make it easier for you to understand what is happening during emergencies and help keep you safe and informed.
If you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, call San Francisco Audiology today.