Aural Rehabilitation

Regular maintenance of hearing aids is important for keeping them functioning properly and helping you hear clearly. Here are some management tips: 

• Keep them clean by brushing them and changing the filters

• Get routine cleaning at your audiologist's office

• Keep water and sweat away from the parts

• Store them safely 

• Get batteries checked and swap them out (if needed)

• Fine-tune settings on the app or at the audiologist's office 

Communication strategies are techniques that allow people with hearing loss to participate in conversations. These strategies would make communication easier and less frustrating for individuals with hearing loss. Below are a list of strategies:

• Face your communication partner and maintain eye contact

• Limit any physical barriers (walls, separate rooms, doors)

• Reduce background noise like television 

• Find the best lighting

• Let others know you have a hearing loss (communication is key)

• Ask for clarification or repetition

• Take listening breaks when needed

• Ask your partner to speak clearly and slowly

• Use Bluetooth streaming when accessible

• Use microphone systems in loud environments

• Use speech-to-text apps

• Use captioning 

What is counseling in audiology?

Audiologic counseling is different from psychological counseling. It includes both informational counseling and personal-adjustment counseling. Audiologic counseling may also include involving friends and family in the journey, as they can support successful communication. 

Informational counseling includes receiving information on the results of the hearing test, hearing loss, hearing aid options, and hearing technology management tips. It may also include communication strategies and other amplification devices other than hearing aids.  

Personal-adjustment counseling is about the emotional support an audiologist can provide. This may include setting realistic expectations. It also addresses the feelings that may come along with a hearing loss diagnosis, such as sadness, loneliness, frustration, anger, and anxiety. However, if these feelings become overwhelming, additional support may be recommended, such as a counselor or therapist. Self-advocacy is also emphasized to ensure communication needs are understood and met. 

Hearing assistive technology (HAT) are devices that can help people with hearing loss to communicate more effectively. They can be paired with hearing aids or used alone to improve access to speech in their daily lives. They can help in many situations, such as a noisy coffee shop, a business meeting, classes, auditoriums, watching television at home, and many others. Types of hearing assistive technology are: television listening devices, remote microphones, alerting devices, and Bluetooth connectivity. Talk to an audiologist to see what device might work for you.