Why do medical pros insist on leaving voicemails for HOH patients?

Thanks for the reply. You recommend doctors’ offices train staff to call out patients’ names differently. That would probably help, but they could easily do more than that by providing some kind of visual cues. It could be simple as writing a name or number on a dry-erase board or chalkboard. Or they could have video screens where they flash text messages. Simple, cheap technology, not labor-intensive.

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The majority of medical providers take HIPA seriously. One of the things HIPA doesn't allow is communicating via e-mail. My primary is a friend and we use e-mail at times, but has told me to never, ever talk about anything medical via e-mail, not even to check on an appt. time that I only "think" I heard as a certain time and day. HIPA is also responsible for it being impossible to find out what's happening with someone close to you if they haven't filled out a form listing you as a person that can know. It's really frustrating when your spouse is being treated by a doc you don't know, a specialist that his regular specialist referred him to...and no one asked him to complete the form that would allow you to be told what's happening. Grrrr! It's all about confidentiality, although, for the life of me, I can't understand what's confidential about the date and time of your next appt.

When I visited a big metro-area hearing clinic that specializes in doing CIs, I quickly learned that no one there takes the trouble to face you while speaking and the nurse that comes out to, as Tony says, blurt out a name, stands in the doorway facing a room full of people who can't hear and mumbles a name. Sheesh! Wouldn't you think that a hearing clinic would be smarter than that?

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@terryflys4 Aggravating experiences! But...would you consider doing a little advocacy and seeing about conferring with management of the places you were from the point of view of educating them about what is appropriate and exploring whether there is a possibility of better training for whoever?

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@ltecato, I agree with you. Doctor's need to do a better job accommodating people with hearing loss. Most seem to have large TV's in their offices but the captions are rarely on. The sound from the TV make it even more difficult to hear when your name is called. I'd prefer that the TV's were off. It blows my mind that these professionals think they are providing their patients a value added service. Scrolling displays are relatively cheap and simple to control. It would be nice to be able to see our name when its time. As was mentioned previously, we can suggest what could help, but it's up to them to move forward.
Tony in Michigan

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Thanks for the reply. You recommend doctors’ offices train staff to call out patients’ names differently. That would probably help, but they could easily do more than that by providing some kind of visual cues. It could be simple as writing a name or number on a dry-erase board or chalkboard. Or they could have video screens where they flash text messages. Simple, cheap technology, not labor-intensive.

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@ltecato
Hello and wow did you start a conversation about one of my favorite topics! So glad we got this going and I have read al the great posts here and the word for the day is Advocate.

I live in Florida and I'd like to tell you what I do with my medical providers. I get both email and text notifications about my appointments with my eye doctor who belongs to a large Clinic. I get text notifications with my ENT doctor My Audi personally emails me.

What I have done for years especially in a large Medical setting is bring an 8 by 10 sign with me that says patient hard of hearing ..may not hear name called...please bring this with you when you call my name. It's printed on red paper and my name is at the bottom. I ask them to put it on the front of the chart , if there is one, or just bring the notification with them. 90% of the time they do . The fact that it is on red paper is a visual clue that they're calling my name.

I've never had a provider tell me that I could not use my live transcribe app. I have been relying on this app since we are all wearing masks.

I used innocaption on my cell phone so any messages are visible of course. The same with my landline .

I've been told many times how impressed people are when I somewhat aggressively advocate and speak up. As my hearing loss got worse over the years the technology got better so I'm lucky in that respect.

I have come across my share of insensitive people especially in the medical profession. I'll never forget the first time I dressed down the son of a famous doctor who owns a string of eye clinics here in Florida. We were talking about cataract surgery. I initially told him about my hearing loss and to speak slowly. He was so fast I did not get half of what he said. I told him to sit right down and start all over again as I told him I could not understand him unless he spoke slowly. He did and look probably abashed. I was so angry.

Advocating gets easier each time you do it. This is such an invisible disability and I think I have educated a lot of people during the pandemic as I have to whip out my phone with the prelude ...hold on a minute I can't hear you through the mask. Young people especially love it.

Keep pushing people! And shame on the hearing aid advertisers who market their hearing aids as so small and invisible no one will see them.

FL Mary

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Leaving voicemail is not protecting the privacy of a deaf/HOH patient. When I get a voicemail, at least half the time I have to get another person to listen to it and repeat or rephrase it so I can understand.

So that means the message is not just between me and the medical provider — I have to bring a third party into the process. Luckily for me I have a wife who can fill that role, but some of us are widowed or just living alone.

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Love what you're doing down there dear friend! Wish you were still in Wisconsin! Fox Valley Chapter of HLAA is working to organize a similar program. Congrats on the success you've had in FL!!

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Thank you very much...I love reading all of your directives and reminders for the folks here. GOOD INFO for everyone to follow since there were many of us who helped charter the path that has been laid before us. However, we have much to do in this new climate and environment. We have HOPE and creativity in trying new things now. If you all have questions, private message me. Thank you and keep up the great work everyone.

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