The February 2012 issue of Seminars in Hearing focuses entirely on the work, principles and tools of the Ida Institute. The issue contains 10 articles written by Ida US Academic Panel members and others on the benefits of patient centered care practices in the field of audiology.
In the issue’s introduction, Ida Academic Panel member Kris English cites the contributions of the Ida Institute to the field of audiology. She writes that the Ida Institute has helped audiologists see themselves with fresh eyes, use a new vocabulary to understand patients’ journeys, and inspire them to create new tools and methods to counsel and communicate more effectively with patients. She urges readers to understand the importance of counseling and communication skills in daily practice:
“Let’s connect the dots: effective counseling supports the development of patient trust; increased trust increases patient adherence,” writes Kris English. “Because audiology is especially challenged regarding patient adherence, we must give particular consideration to the communication and counseling skills that engender trust.”
In the issue, Ida Advisory Board Chairman Louise Hickson reflects on a paradigm shift from a focus on the technological aspects of hearing health care to a more person-centered approach to rehabilitation. She cites evidence for a paradigm shift in four areas: 1) the development and use of programs that extend rehabilitation beyond hearing aid fitting, 2) increased emphasis of academic literature on patient centered care, 3) changes in the education of audiology students, and, 4) the continuing work of the Ida Institute to highlight the human dynamics associated with hearing loss.
“In the same way that in education there has been a shift from teaching to learning, there should be a shift from teaching our patients about hearing loss, hearing aids, and so on to a more patient-centered practice model in audiological rehabilitation - one that involves more listening than talking,” writes Louise Hickson. “After all, our patients are the ones who live day to day with a hearing loss. It is they who manage their hearing loss.”
This Ida-focused issue of Seminars in Hearing includes articles written by a host of other Ida Academic Panel members, including Deborah von Hapsburg, Tine Tjørnhøj-Thomsen, John Greer Clark, Carissa Maatman, Lorraine Gailey, Joseph Montano, Hamamm Al Makadma, Jill Preminger, Christopher Lind, Carol Geltman Cokely, Christine DePlacido, Gail Whitelaw and Samuel Trychin.
To access the issue, please visit the Thieme eJournals website.