Failure to Ensure Resident Access to Functional Hearing Aids
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of bipolar disorder was admitted to the facility and was documented as being able to hear adequately with the use of hearing aids. However, progress notes indicated that the resident's hearing aids were not working at the time of admission and subsequently became broken. Despite the resident's repeated reports to staff that the hearing aids did not work and did not fit properly, no effective action was taken to repair or replace them. Staff interviews confirmed that the hearing aids had not fit or worked since admission, and the resident had not worn them for about a week due to their condition. The hearing aids, along with unused batteries, were found stored in a cup at the resident's bedside, and no sound was coming from them. Social services staff were either unaware of the resident's need for hearing aids or acknowledged knowing about the issue but did not make efforts to address it. The Director of Nursing Services stated that staff were expected to report such issues so that social services could intervene, but she was unaware of the problem. As a result, the resident was left without functional hearing aids, requiring others to speak loudly and closely to be understood, which the resident found overstimulating. This lack of action led to the resident not having access to necessary hearing assistance devices.