title: When your patient cannot hear you.
abstract: Communication is vitally important in relationships and a hearing loss can have a profound impact on a person's desire to interact with others. Embarrassment and frustration can cause a person to withdraw and avoid social situations leading to isolation and depression. Persons who recognize they have a hearing problem, seek treatment, and have benefited from available therapies are able to have better relationships with friends and family, feel better about themselves, have improved mental health, and feel greater security and independence. It is in the best interest of the patient that the nurse actively assess for any kind of hearing difficulty and provide appropriate education and referral.
authors.affiliation: Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davidhizar
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015984:Causality; D003144:Communication Barriers; D004423:Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009743:Nursing, Practical / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*