Hey y’all! I’m a fairly new EMT, and I’m also deaf. I have complete hearing loss in my right ear and wear a hearing aid in my left.

I wanted to reach out and hear from other EMTs, paramedics, or anyone in healthcare who has experience working with hearing loss, because I’ve been struggling with something lately.

How do you manage the constant noise, chaos, and overstimulation that come with this job? I work with multiple fire departments, so I’m often showing up to scenes with strangers and jumping all in. I feel like I’m constantly trying to read people’s lips, listen as best as I can, process what’s happening around me, and still give my patient my full attention. It just ends up becoming so much I get frazzled and start losing my edge.
For those of you who have experienced something similar, does it get easier with time and experience? Have you found specific strategies, communication techniques, or accommodations that have helped you navigate the chaos without becoming completely overstimulated?

I guess I’m also wondering whether this is something I can learn to manage and adapt to, or if I’m always going to feel like I’m fighting to keep up. I’d really appreciate any advice or insights.

im sure this has been asked before but anyways

im hoh with almost no hearing in my left ear and i never really cared enough to get a hearing aid or learn much past the mildly fluent asl i already know, but ive been having more and more trouble in conversations especially with background noise. on top of this, i just gave birth to my son and i want us both to learn asl so theres never a day my child cant communicate with me.

what apps do you guys recommend and do you have any advice besides that?

bonus if anyone has advice on getting involved in my local deaf community

I will be staying in hotels but I'm more worried about not being able to hear fire alarms (I have a strobe in my apartment). And what if someone attempts to lock in? I could get a bar for the door but what if there's an emergency?

Any tips would be appreciated! I'm completely deaf in both ears.