The Use of Auditory Simulation in Undergraduate Nursing: An Innovative Teaching Strategy to Promote Empathy.

ABSTRACT: Auditory hallucination is common in schizophrenia, influencing emotional state and behavior. Most patients experience high levels of distress, paranoia, and depression. After participating in the "Hearing Voices" auditory simulation, which involved rotating through various workstations while listening to distressing voices, nursing students (n = 39) completed the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale. All were satisfied with the auditory simulation; 90 percent perceived the experience as beneficial to their role as a registered nurse. This innovative teaching strategy, utilizing simulation, provided an opportunity to experience auditory hallucinations, thereby increasing both understanding and empathy.