# Fostering inclusion in medical training: accommodations for hearing loss

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how two students with hearing loss successfully learned clinical skills using specialized stethoscopes, showing how technology can support inclusion in medical training.

## Contribution

The paper introduces case studies demonstrating how tailored stethoscope technologies can accommodate students with hearing impairments in medical training.

## Key findings

- Students with hearing impairments successfully acquired clinical skills using amplified stethoscopes.
- Tailored technological accommodations significantly enhance learning outcomes for students with disabilities.
- Early detection and support strategies are crucial for fostering inclusion in medical education.

## Abstract

This article explores two case reports of healthcare students with hearing impairments in an Italian university and the accommodations provided during their clinical training. The first student, with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, used the Contec Visual Electronic Stethoscope CMS-VE, which amplifies the sound up to 32 times and supports earphones while wearing hearing aids. The second student, with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and cochlear implants, utilized the Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope, which amplifies the sound up to 40 times and transmits it via Bluetooth. Both students successfully acquired essential clinical skills, demonstrating that tailored technological accommodations can significantly enhance learning outcomes. This article underscores the critical role of early disability detection and the implementation of support strategies by occupational health physicians. These case reports highlight the importance of innovative solutions in promoting inclusion and ensuring equal opportunities in medical education and future workplaces.

This article presents two case reports of healthcare students with hearing impairments who utilized two different advanced digital stethoscopes during their clinical training. Highlighting the importance of tailored technological accommodations, it demonstrates how these innovations enabled students to successfully acquire essential clinical skills. The findings underscore the role of early disability detection and support strategies in fostering inclusion and ensuring equal opportunities in medical education and the workplace once they have completed their studies.