Failure to Ensure Consistent Access to Hearing Assistive Devices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with severe cognitive impairment and significant hearing loss consistently had access to and used hearing assistive devices as required to meet their communication needs. The resident, who had diagnoses including non-traumatic brain dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and depression, was care planned to wear bilateral hearing aids daily. Multiple observations over several days showed the resident was not wearing any hearing assistive devices and had difficulty hearing staff and other residents. Staff were observed speaking loudly and directly into the resident's ear, and on one occasion, a pocket talker was retrieved and placed on the resident, but the resident continued to have difficulty hearing. Interviews with nursing assistants and nurses confirmed the resident was extremely hard of hearing and should use a pocket talker at all times when awake, but it was only provided upon request or not at all. Staff were unsure about the whereabouts of the resident's hearing aids, and there was inconsistency in ensuring the resident had access to or used the pocket talker. The facility was unable to provide a policy regarding the provision of hearing assistive devices when requested.