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Published: 11-03-2022 16:17

referrals, clinical errors, and malpractice claims, to lead to shorter stays in hospital and fewer medical visits, and to increase efficiency and reduce overall costs. In hearing care, the person-centered approach can save time and increase efficiency by enabling clinicians to quickly uncover their clients’ specific challenges and needs. Yes, it requires [...] but this is time-saving and boosts the bottom line in the long run, as clinics can reduce return visits and see more clients. And by involving the client in decisions about treatment and family members in the rehabilitation process, clinicians can build trust with their clients. Greater trust improves adherence, outcomes, and client satisfaction, making [...] concerns about hearing aids – i.e. where they failed to be person-centered – these were repeatedly re-raised, lengthening the management phase of the appointment. In contrast, a 2022 study showed that the use of an Ida Institute person-centered counseling tool enabled clinicians to rapidly identify and examine individual patients’ needs and improve the

Published: 11-03-2022 16:17

Showing empathy – i.e. listening to and recognizing the other person’s feelings – is a key element of person-centered care and it’s often assumed to be emotionally draining. But when applied properly, empathy is empowering for both client and clinician, enabling them to build a trusting relationship that improves outcomes and is rewarding for both parties [...] example… One 2019 study analyzing 11 research papers concluded that person-centered care training and intervention are “essential for promoting job satisfaction and reducing job-related stress as well as turnover” among nursing home staff. What do hearing care professionals say? “I find person-centered care to be very empowering… Being able to break through [...] audiologists and patients could achieve great satisfaction through the person-centered approach." - Dr. Carol Pang, Audiologist, China “Being able to help my patients improve their quality of life is what makes me love my job – and person-centered care definitely improves my job satisfaction.” - Sarah Mierau, audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership

Published: 11-03-2022 16:11

virtually no marketing because patients stay loyal for years, and tell their friends and their primary care provider.” - Carol Clifford, founder and owner of Albuquerque Hearing and Balance, USA “Our shift in becoming completely person-centered has reduced ‘fine tuning’ appointments significantly, and client satisfaction is much higher. Furthermore, return [...] likely to remain loyal and recommend their healthcare professional to others. For example... A 2021 study showed that hearing aid users value the following: a comprehensive, relatable hearing assessment; deaf aware patient-audiologist communication; accessible services; and a personalized approach to recommendations of technology and to addressing pati [...] patient-specific aspects of hearing loss – all high priorities in the person-centered approach. One 2019 study found that hearing aid users facing problems with their devices are more likely to return and consult a clinician if their previous experiences at the clinic have been positive. What do hearing care professionals say? “Clients feel listened to

Published: 11-03-2022 16:02

level of support among family members, the client’s attitude towards hearing aids, their readiness to take action and determination to succeed – all factors that can be assessed and addressed with a person-centered approach – have a significant impact on levels of hearing aid uptake and adherence. Other studies show specifically that the type of care a [...] , being unable to integrate the device into daily living, a perception that hearing aids are burdensome, stigma, and a lack of knowledge about the device. Person-centered techniques are the ideal means to identify and address such concerns and expectations. What do hearing care professionals say? “Previously, clients might not be ready to undertake [...] Better treatment uptake and adherence When patients receive individualized care, are actively involved in decisions and in the management of their condition, and have family members who are engaged in the process, adherence rates are consistently higher across healthcare. Numerous studies have confirmed that hearing care is no different. It’s been shown

Published: 11-03-2022 15:47

recovery, improved emotional health and psychological well-being, and higher quality of life. For example, a 2018 study found consistent evidence that patient- and family-centered care improve patients' knowledge about their health and their skills to manage self-care behaviors, and increase quality of life. Within hearing care, studies have shown that: [...] more when motivational interviewing (a core PCC technique) is used (Zarenoe et al, 2016) individualized hearing rehabilitation can improve communication and quality of life in care home residents with dementia (Cross et al, 2022) What do hearing care professionals say? “You will get better outcomes in the majority of clients, if you focus on what they [...] is the best decision you can possibly make for your patients and for your clinic. It increases patient satisfaction, it increases clinician satisfaction, it decreases time wasted during the appointment, and it leads to better outcomes for your patient.” - Silva Kuschke, Head of Department and Chief Audiologist at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital

fitting, outcome evaluation, and follow-up. PCC was formulated as part of their mission and KPIs – and considered in the overall clinic design. Financial growth Using this process, Xiaofeng implemented PCC in two hearing aid centers and saw substantial improvements, including an increase in word-of-mouth referrals and greatly enhanced job satisfaction [...] recognized the communication barrier between himself and his grandson, and he ultimately accepted his hearing problems and decided to get hearing aids.” PCC gaining traction As these cases clearly demonstrate, the PCC approach is gaining traction because it works. Not only are the results appealing at a client and practitioner level – but the benefits are tangible [...] estimated to have a hearing disability, the task of driving change is no small endeavor. Like in many other parts of the world, it’s been a common default in hearing healthcare in China to focus mainly on technology and pay less attention to the person with hearing loss. However, as we’ve entered the Year of the Tiger, a growing group of hearing care professionals

about safe listening, launch a hearing café at a local coffee shop to start conversations about preventing hearing loss, or work with their local fitness center or music venue to educate staff and visitors about healthy listening behaviors and the consequences of loud music. So why not get inspired this World Hearing Day and start planning your first steps [...] Philadelphia. So what can hearing care professionals do? Many of the activities commonly seen in dentistry can be easily translated to audiology – and the Kornberg School guidelines (and others) can also be mined for good ideas. For starters, HCPs could consider using social or local media to spread messages about safe listening and hearing loss prevention, [...] Safe listening is the theme of World Hearing Day 2022 . While the primary role of hearing care professionals is to treat people who are already experiencing hearing loss, there are many good reasons why they should consider actively engaging with this theme and promoting the World Health Organization’s message, “to hear for life, listen with care.”

devices. Eventually, I decided that the benefits far outweighed the risks and that I didn’t have much to lose, considering where my hearing loss was headed. So, I embarked on my CI journey wholeheartedly. I was 16 at the time and initially I wanted to wait until I’d finished school and exams, but I was advised that the sooner I had the operation, the better [...] were very reassuring before and after my surgery, noises are much clearer, music sounds so much better, and my CIs are much more discrete and easier to hide under my hair than I ever thought they would be prior to this journey. Most importantly, I can communicate much more easily without lip-reading, I can use the phone – and my confidence in talking to [...] near and the pressure mounted, I became more anxious. This was supposed to be life-changing, after all. Instead, it was extremely anti-climactic! It was one of the shortest appointments I can remember, and I left with continuous, unpleasant beeps in my ears. I was warned this would happen, but experiencing it was so different. Beeps, birds, and then

could have severe implications for their health. In hearing healthcare, limited health literacy can also have a huge impact on the patient’s ability to manage their own condition. For example, patients need to understand how to insert hearing aids, change batteries, and properly operate their hearing aids once they are in place. If they don’t understand [...] While a low level of health literacy is often associated with minority and specific socioeconomic groups, it’s important to stress that literacy and health literacy aren’t directly correlated . Educated people with strong literacy skills may also have trouble obtaining, understanding, and using health information: a surgeon might for instance have difficulty [...] communication with the patients in your clinic, whatever their health literacy level: Speak slowly, loudly, and clearly Use an amplifier if necessary Use jargon-free language Be specific, not general Use simple diagrams and graphics Categorize and organize information Minimize shame Maximize respect Encourage questions In addition, there are some key details

adventures (and misadventures) are also together on the hearing journey when one — or both — of them has hearing loss. Good hearing care professionals know this too, and work to address the impact of their client's hearing difficulties on their significant other. To help couples — or any key communication partners — more easily discuss how hearing loss affects [...] them and set goals to help manage it, we developed Goal Sharing for Partners . The free tool is a step-by-step guide that hearing care professionals can use to open discussions between their clients and their key communication partners. It helps them to: Acknowledge the hearing loss and articulate how it affects them Express their feelings and viewpoints [...] viewpoints Recognize that successful communication requires a joint effort Establish realistic communication goals and identify the needed steps Goal Sharing for Partners is just one of several tools we’ve developed to help clinicians involve family and friends in appointments. See all of the Communication Partners tools here.