Clinical and communication access through amplification for a medical student with severe hearing loss: case report

This case report focuses on the communication difficulties of a 21-year-old medical student with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. The greatest difficulties reported by the patient were for stethoscope use and slide presentations in darkened rooms. Successful audiologic management was accomplished for this patient via use of a behind-the-ear (BTE) FM system for classroom use and a "homemade" amplified stethoscope that enabled him to hear diagnostic heart sounds for clinical use. The amplified stethoscope provided greater low-frequency gain for this patient than was available through other commercial units.