The Power of Personal Amplifiers in Healthcare: The Pocketalker Solution
A palliative care nurse improves end-of-life care using a Pocketalker device. This device assists in preventing misdiagnosis through its assistive listening capabilities.
Tyler Tasker is a registered nurse case manager at a specialized hospital for critically ill patients. Many of his patients were labeled as AMA (altered mental status) or sometimes as having undiagnosed dementia when they couldn’t hear what caregivers said. These patients often had hearing aids but didn’t bring them to the hospital for fear of losing them. As a result, the patient’s inability to hear created the potential for miscommunication and delays in treatment.
To address this issue, Tyler began using a personal amplifier called the Pocketalker during consultations with patients with hearing loss. Tyler appreciates the portable, lightweight design, which makes it easy to carry to appointments, but the best part is seeing how excited patients get when they can hear their conversation. He noticed that patients who used the device were more engaged and focused during their appointments, allowing him to identify problems quickly. Patients were also more likely to ask questions and provide feedback, leading to personalized treatment plans.
Since incorporating the Pocketalker into his practice, Tyler’s patients report higher satisfaction with their care. “When my patients can hear our conversations, they can actively participate in treatment plan discussions and are more likely to follow through with those plans,” Tyler shared. “The Pocketalker has been instrumental in empowering patients to take an active role in their care.”
