his 140 - realistic patient expectations and hi counselling

Realistic Patient Expectations & HI Counseling

Counseling—not confusion!

A confused consumer will not pursue treatment i.e. purchase hearing instruments.

A consistent step-by-step process will lead to the greatest success in satisfying the communication challenges of each patient/client.



The methodical process defined in Dillon chapter twelve does not provide a good time line for presentation of information to the patient/client.

It mixes all of the counseling procedures into one chapter.

Let’s more clearly define each component and methodical step in the counseling processes.



The methodical presentation of counseling

information to the patient/client will result

in better treatment outcomes.

A successful treatment outcome has little

to do directly with hearing instruments.


Patient/client Hearing Loss Acknowledgement

Until the patient/client understands and

accepts that the revealed hearing loss is

permanent and irreversible, they will not

attentively listen to your words of counsel.



The revealed condition is often more

easily accepted if the Hearing Instrument

Specialist will define patient/client

communication obstacles which may be

overcome by the implementation of

prescribed treatment.



Until the patient/client has moved from

denial of the communication challenge into

the acceptance of it; they will not listen or

accept further treatment, counseling, or

advice regarding communication skills

development.



In Stephen Covey’s book: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, one of the habits requires and details understanding.

It states: “to be understood, seek first to understand”.

This is one of the most critical components required during counseling for the hearing impaired patient/client.



As Dillon states in chapter twelve, hearing

instrument specialists must be flexible on

how and when they present information.

However, it is useful to have a standard

program/process in mind from which

variations may be made as required.


Patient/client counseling information presentation

Instructing the patient/client upon modified

communication processes and describing

specific hearing instrument operation

before their decision to pursue treatment

occurs, will only overwhelm the

patient/client with information—resulting in

confusion and probably the decision to not

pursue treatment.



Providing appropriate counseling will increase the likelihood that hearing instruments will be fully implemented/used.

(many studies have supported this statement)

Hearing Instrument Specialists should be aware that different people learn differently and should be taught and approached in different manners.



Let’ review the Five Steps to Better

Hearing Video. It will provide a counseling

approach which is often found to be

effective in creating successful treatment

outcomes.


The Audiogram & Patient Counseling

In Vonlanthen chapter nine page 195, he

attempts to demonstrate a correlation between

the audiogram and the articulation index. Much

research have supported this model.

However, his attempt to correlate the articulation

index with an ability to hear in noise has not

been supported. In fact, it has been found that

the ability to hear in noise is not audiogram

“dependant”.



Creating realistic expectations is critical to successful treatment outcomes.

Advising the patient/client of more than what may reasonably expected from test results will almost always lead to a failed treatment outcome.



By interpreting the audiogram information

to the patient/client and describing the

scenarios that the hearing handicap will

commonly create; the patient/client will

often accept the results which then leads

to the next methodical step in the

counseling process i.e. treatment options.


Patient/client Treatment Options Counseling

This is the second step in the counseling

process and often occurs during the

patient/client’s first clinic visit. Successful

treatment outcomes must also include the

preferred hearing instrument style and

function—its benefits and limitations.



Usually more than one hearing instrument style is offered—no more than three!

Again, a confused patient/client will not pursue treatment. Therefore, limit your advice to a few technology levels (usually at various price points) to fit lifestyles and budgets.



The technology levels discussed in Dillon page 326 are basically obsolete information.

The dynamics of digital hearing instrument technology have created a necessity for the Hearing Instrument Specialist to constantly investigate the latest technological developments in hearing instruments in order to provide good counsel.



Most patient/clients will:

1.) either balance the treatment cost

against the advantages of more complex

technologies; or:

2.) desire to limit the total cost to get the

best value for the money--irrespective of

costs.



Sometimes, it is easier for the

patient/client to accept the costs

associated with hearing instrument

treatment when it is presented as a value

for better hearing, which may be enjoyed

by many (family and friends) and spread

over a period of several years.


Hearing Instrument use & care counseling

The third step in the counseling processes

involves the specific use and care of the

prescribed hearing instruments.

Patient/clients must be advised that

hearing instruments are continuing

maintenance items and will require future

routine visits to your clinic.


Hearing Instrument use & care counseling

Many studies have supported successful

treatment outcomes when post-fitting

follow-up visits are encouraged.

The patient/client should be advised of the

importance of post-fitting visits to maintain

good hearing health and optimum

operation of their “electronic appliance”.


Communication strategies & HI use

The fourth step in the counseling process

involves education of the patient/client in

strategic/effective communication. Much

of the counseling information will be based

upon post-follow-up visits and

patient/client reports.


Communication Strategies & HI use

An “experience and practice” form may be

found in Dillon pages 328 and 329.

This form will provide information

regarding patient experiences, and assist

in developing realistic patient/client

expectations regarding hearing instrument

use.


Communication Strategies & HI use

Additional communication tips may also be

found in Dillon page #335.

These tips are useful even for those who

have no hearing loss!


Successful Counseling of the Hearing Challenged

It is, most often, very beneficial to involve spouses, (SOP), and family members at the beginning of the various steps of counseling.

When they are not involved, they sometimes have difficulty understanding why the various counseling processes are necessary for successful treatment outcomes.

his 140 - realistic patient expectations and hi counselling

Health & Medicine

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