Communicating with a Resident with Hearing Loss
Mrs. Lee, a 78-year-old resident, has moderate hearing loss and wears hearing aids in both ears. She often misses instructions and becomes frustrated. During lunch, you need to tell her about a change in her medication schedule. The dining room is noisy with 20 other residents talking and utensils clattering. Mrs. Lee is seated at a table with three other residents who are engaged in conversation. You have tried speaking louder, but she still does not understand.
1. What communication strategies should you use to ensure Mrs. Lee understands the medication change?
Read the worked answer
- Reduce background noise: move to a quieter area.
- Face her directly, speak clearly and slowly, not loudly.
- Use visual aids: write down the new schedule.
- Confirm understanding by asking her to repeat back.
- Use gestures and facial expressions.
- Ensure hearing aids are on and working.
2. How would you document this communication in Mrs. Lee's care record?
Read the worked answer
Document: date, time, content discussed (medication schedule change), method used (written and verbal), Mrs. Lee's response (e.g., repeated back correctly), any barriers (noise) and how addressed, and that she verbalized understanding.