So, you have just been told you have a hearing loss, and you might need hearing aids. This can be a lot of information to process all at once and take on board. No one enjoys being told that there is something wrong with their health or abilities. This can be an overwhelming experience at the best of times and more so if you are on your own attending appointments. Having a second pair of ears to listen to all the information you are being told and having someone accompany you to appointments is not only beneficial, but reassuring and supportive. Research has found that we remember as little as one-fifth of information discussed in an appointment and immediately forget 40-80% of the content of what we were told.
Having a hearing loss diagnosed is not just about the loss of hearing and its impact to you, it is also a communication loss which will affect all the people in your life – at work, at home, and socially, that you communicate with. Involve your most important communication partners during your hearing journey - as they are part of your communication circle.
Having family and friends involved in your hearing appointments allows your Value Hearing audiologist to have a greater understanding of who you are and what is important to you. Our audiologist prioritises certain aspects of hearing aid technology and makes specific changes to your hearing aid fitting based on your hearing goals and lifestyle. Your friends and family members are a valuable contributor to this process.
Audiologists are focused on improving your overall quality of life by increasing your access to speech and sound. When you invite your family or friend to a hearing care appointment, this allows you and the audiologist to build relationships that can increase the rate of success with the adoption of hearing aids. Recent studies have shown that when an audiologist utilises the biopsychosocial model of practice rather than a medical model, they allow you and your significant others to have a shared experience in the appointment.
Another added benefit is with the somewhat complexity of hearing aids and hearing aid technology. Having another set of ears to listen to instructions on how to care for your hearing aids and also learn how to use all the technological features available to you is of huge advantage and support.
There’s no need to go it alone. When you invite a close friend or family member to come to your audiology appointments, you may not realise how grateful they will be to be part of your hearing journey and see you happy and connected to the people you love.
If you have a friend of family member whose hearing is not what it once was and it has become increasingly noticeable, encourage them and support them by recommending a hearing test or hearing aid discussion and come along with them. To make an appointment with a Value Hearing audiologist click here.
