Issue 6.13
Acknowledgement:
The first and indispensable step in practicing effective communication strategies is to accept the reality of the hearing loss. Unless and until you can acknowledge its presence, openly and in a matter of fact way, you are always going to be limited in how effectively you can deal with it. A hearing loss is not something to be ashamed of; it’s not a stigma that has to be hidden. Its presence does not diminish you as a human being. By denying or projecting you hearing difficulties onto other people’s mouths (“people don’t talk as clearly as they used to!”) you fool only yourself and make it very hard on your spouse and children and grandchildren. The point is worth emphasizing. The hearing loss is there. Magical thinking, denial, not “wanting to talk about it,” will not make it go away. If you don’t face up to this reality, unpleasant as it may be, you’re condemning yourself into a life of unnecessary stress, anxiety and isolation.
The onset of hearing loss is typically very gradual. What makes this situation particularly difficult for older people is that at first they are truly not aware that a hearing loss may be the main reason for communication difficulties.
With new hearing instruments, what “getting used to them” really means is that you’ll be undergoing a learning process. Your brain is learning how to hear again. Patience, time, and help of a good audiologist are very helpful.
Asking our family to get our attention and to get eye contact with speaking to us will make all the difference.
Noisy listening situations are always more difficult to understand speech in than a quiet listening situation.
New Technology:
The new hearing instrument technology is a dream come true for me as I have a hearing loss and I have been practicing for 35 years as a Clinical Audiologist. The technology has exceeded my expectations as a wear of instruments and as a hearing and balance specialist who fits many instruments on my patients each day. The “Noise-Blocker” technology has the ability to greatly reduced surrounding background noise which interferes with understanding speech in the presence of noise. Also, blue-tooth technology enhances communication on the cell phone (hands-free and hear in stereo) along with TV watching and listening to music.
Trial Period:
It is critical that you be fit with hearing instruments on a trial basis. Hearing instruments are a significant investment and will probably be the best investment in your lifetime because of the amazing improvement it will bring to your quality of life and communication with your family. Therefore, the trial period is vital so you know you are getting the best outcomes for your investment.
Courtesy shown to our Sweetheart:
Choosing to hear and understand our sweetheart well again is only of the greatest demonstrations of love and courtesy and kindness we can show to them. It says, “You are the most important person to me and I love communicating with you well.
Kimball B. Forbes, M.C.D., FAAA is a Licensed Clinical Audiologist
If you have questions about you hearing challenges, call our Hearing and Balance Specialists at 688-8866.