Hearing loss management in acute care

Rowe, Leanna (2022) Hearing loss management in acute care. Practicum Report. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: With the prevalence of hearing loss on the rise, nurses in acute care are not equipped to address the complex and unmet health care needs of individuals living with hearing loss. Purpose: Develop a comprehensive toolkit to assist nurses in managing the care of individuals living with hearing loss/Deafness. Methods: An integrative literature review was completed to identify the health care challenges individuals with hearing loss/Deafness face and whether current nursing knowledge and practice is inclusive to the needs of this patient population. In an environmental scan, existing nursing toolkits were reviewed for educational content and format. Nurses from a General Surgery acute care inpatient unit were consulted, along with a surgical nursing manager and a community stakeholder, to obtain their perspectives on the learning needs of nurses in the management of patients with hearing loss, and the best method of delivery of a comprehensive toolkit. Results: The major findings were that nurses felt they could not provide comprehensive nursing care specific to the needs of patients who have hearing loss or who identify as Deaf due to lack of education, resources, and training. A comprehensive toolkit consisting of five online educational hearing loss modules and a physical unit resource was developed to address the learning needs of nurses and support nurses in their practice. The educational modules are comprised of information on hearing loss and Deafness, hearing loss technology, nursing strategies, communication strategies and hearing loss resources. Conclusion: Nurses can utilize the nursing toolkit to enhance their knowledge and ability to care for patients with hearing loss. It is the expectation that this toolkit will improve patient outcomes, quality of care and environment of safety for nurses and patients living with hearing loss and Deafness.

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