Echocardiogram appointment with hearing aids

[Radars]

Hi,I am due to have a echocardiogram shortly, I wear hearing aids but when I spoke to the cardiologist at the hospital it was difficult to understand her because of face mask i asked her to pull it down but she said no,so I'm going to struggle when I go for my echocardiogram.

[Hidden]

Hello

I know they have to keep their masks on because of covid but they should have something in place for people that are hard of hearing or any other disability and I am so sad to read you were dismissed of your needs

Hopefully when you go back you will get someone that is more understanding

If not and you cannot hear what they are saying you must tell them that you can't and that you cannot understand and can they make what is called

A reasonable Adjustment

Because you are hard of hearing

By law they should make these adjustments

I am not sure if you have a family member who can phone on your behalf the department you will attend next and explain you are hard of hearing , what happened today and can they note this and make sure they are aware of it and make sure they put something in place so you can understand what they are saying

Try not to worry like I said they maybe more compassionate on the next visit

Please let us know how you get on x

[10gingercats]

Maybe she will agree to write a note if she wants to speak to you.Take a paper and pencil.Why can't you use your hearing aids when you go for the echo. ?

[Radars in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks, I do wear my hearing aids but it's hard to understand people wearing masks because people with hearing problems lip read.

[10gingercats in reply to Radars]

I was not being insensitive. My husband is pretty deaf and wears aids. No intention to offend .

[Hazel1010]

Hello , pardon me if it sounds a daft idea how about a pad and pencil or I did notice several people wearing the Perspex visors at the hospital this weekend maybe a polite request a few days before to the clinic might help , all the best

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

There are masks available with clear plastics inserts. A standard echo is fairly straightforward so you should be fine.

[Mountwood]

Good morning Radars. I know how you feel as I had an appt. yesterday with a hospital ENT consultant. He spoke excellent English with an accent and had a very soft, quiet voice and a mask. I had to keep saying I couldn't hear him and he had to keep on repeating himself, so the whole appt. took twice as long as usual. Fortunately, the audiologist had a strong, loud, clear voice. I don't understand why all hospital staff don't wear the visors. Good luck.

[JennyRx in reply to Mountwood]

The visors only protect the wearer from aerosol entering the eye tissue from others. They don’t protect others from aerosol infection coming from the mouth as this leaks around the bottom edge. They should only be used as an adjunct to masks not a substitute as if the wearer has unknown Covid it’ll still spread.

[Greenthorn]

Hi Radars, I wear hearing aids, left and right, and have echocardiogram every 12 months or so. All they usually tell you it once you are lying in position, is to adjust your lying position slightly. I would let he or she know that if you fail to respond then they should repeat what they have said and project their voice more. I know how frustrating it is trying to decode a muffled voice coming from a mask. On another appointment recently a receptionist was talking to me whilst writing notes. Not helpful. At my age I'm not shy so I might well say 'look at me and speak up". Best wishes for your appointment.

[Radars in reply to Greenthorn]

Thankyou, yeah it gets frustrating to understand someone who is wearing a mask, hospital staff would be better off wearing visors instead, I will get bye in the end.

[marypw]

I have hearing aids and have regular echocardiograms. I really don't think you will have too much of a problem. You don't have to do much, apart from getting undressed, popping on a gown and maybe slightly adjusting your position. The room where you have an echo is very quiet, which helps as well.Hospital staff are well used to dealing with people who are deaf - I had surgery last summer and it was ok.

I totally agree that face masks are problematic- I never realised how much I was relying on lip reading, until Covid hit!

[Hidden]

I too have two hearing aids any time I have trouble either turn them up a bit but mainly ask them to enunciate clearly and talk up a bit lol they usually understand the reason most health professionals do not wear visors as unless they are the proper ones with air supply built in they are pretty much useless

[Qualipop]

Husband and I are both hard of hearing although I can manage if I point my good ear towards them but it's impossible if they want me to lie on that side. I had an echo in November and there was no need for the nurse to speak at all. My husband though refuses to wear his hearing aids with a mask and glasses. One or the other always falls off or out. So he comes away from appointments not having heard a thing he was told. He was recently given new tablets which he refused to take as he "didn't have that problem". I had to phone the secretary and get the consultant's report sent to him in writing just so he knew he HAD to take the tablets. I agree medical staff should wear masks with plastic inserts. Visors don't offer enough protection.I relied on lip reading for years before I needed aids.

[Fred1954]

Once they get you in the right position I don't remember any further interaction until the last thing they do which is to ask you to take a sharp breath in and hold it. Hope all goes well and good luck.

[Darkshades]

Don’t worry over it …. They don’t really speak to you … just name address, date of birth - but if straight away you feel you are struggling, sorry can you repeat that as I’m hard of hearing and wear hearing aids … the onus is then on them not you

[Glasgowgirl1947]

I've given up wearing my hearing aids when going out as I'm fed up with the mask knocking them out, if you wear specs it's impossible. I still lip read even with my aids in but it's really difficult to understand what others are saying when they are wearing a mask.

[Healthyheart1 in reply to Glasgowgirl1947]

Hi Glasgowgirl1947, my dad has problems but I don't, I'm wondering if it's the type of hearing aid he wears, he uses one that is a mould that goes into his ear mine is less invasive and has a thinner tube. We have took him back and forth to the hospital because he can't get his glasses on with his, he says the tube hurts the top of his ear so most of the time he walks round with his tubing down his ear and then he says he can't hear properly. Regarding a mask he hears me more with his mask on, you couldn't right it. He has got vascular dementia but is stuck ridgid and won't be told anything but sure as anything if he wants anything he let's you know what that is. It's sad really Regards Sheena x