The Process of Defining Hearing

The Ida Institute’s first seminar series, the Process of Defining Hearing, consisted of three seminars that took place in September 2008, January 2009, and February 2009 in Skodsborg, Denmark.

The seminar explored the many different ways that people with hearing loss and health care professionals define hearing and hearing loss. 

Instead of developing a new definition or concept based on a medical description of ‘hearing’ and ‘hearing loss’, the series focused on improving our common understanding of how people with hearing loss and hearing care professionals go about defining hearing and the client's hearing loss journey.

With help from the Faculty members, the seminar series explored the process of defining hearing and hearing loss by re-examining person-centered care principles and the clinical encounter.

During the course of the three part seminar series, participants collaborated to develop a common definition of a possible hearing loss journey. The seminar participants were asked to identify the different stages and steps that a typical person with hearing loss may experience as they live with their hearing loss. The Ida Institute compiled the input from the seminar participants and created a composite map, which was later released as the Possible Patient Journey tool. In this way, the Patient Journey tool serves as a good representation of some of the knowledge sharing and knowledge creation that took place during the seminar series.

Seminar Lectures

Patient's perspective

Kristina English, Professor of Audiology at University of Akron, on the greater understanding of the client's perspective and feelings associated with hearing loss.

Collaborative self-management

Harvey Abrams, Former Director of Research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center at the VA Healthcare System Medical Center in Bay Pines, explores ways to help people with hearing loss take charge of their condition. 

Framing the clinical encounter

Tine Tjørnhøj Thomsen, Professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, talks about the supra/sub-context surrounding the clinical visit.

Reflective practice

Christine DePlacido, lecturer and program leader for Audiology Department at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, explains how reflection can add value for both the professional and the client.

Relationship-centered care

Kristina English on the theory and benefits of relationship-centered care.