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Hi Tony.... I like your assertiveness. I have suggested to my audiologist and my ENT that they set up a short training session for their group and also doctors in other specialties to talk about how to better help those with hearing loss. Maybe bring in one or two people with loss to talk to the group. They all seemed interested but I don't think anything has been done with the idea yet. I will keep bringing it up though.
I found most doctors as well as most hearing folks just don't get it. When I say that I have hearing loss they immediately start talking louder. It's not the volume it's the clarity that is the issue. So yes there needs to be a lot more understand and training. Judy
Replies to "Hi Tony.... I like your assertiveness. I have suggested to my audiologist and my ENT that..."
@judyca7 Judy, that's a good idea to suggest that the ENT and audiologists have a training session but my guess is that most will not follow through. Audiology used to include consultation with the family, aural rehabilitation, and mention of other Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT). They've gotten away from that. This may explain why the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) was formed. There was a lack of a good support mechanism where people could share what they knew with others. My audiologist had an audiologist intern at my last visit. Neither one of them knew about the speech to text apps. This is frustrating. The professionals may not be trying to stay up to date AND the schools are not teaching this stuff.
Tony in Michigan
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@judyca7@tonyinmi Do you know other people with hearing loss who are near you? How about turning assertiveness into advocacy. Instead of asking them to set up a short training session, you and anyone else if available, offer to go talk with their staff about how to be more effective with people with hearing loss. I have various ideas as to subjects you could cover. I am pretty sure the HLAA website has something on health advocacy. If you wanted help with more specific ideas as to a presentation or talk with leadership I could produce some.