Audiologists As Counselors

By Kathy Mellott, AuD

Audiologists are more than just hearing healthcare specialists. A large portion of the job includes counseling. Hearing loss affects several aspects of a person's life and especially impacts interactions with others. Patients often become frustrated and upset when dealing with hearing loss.

Recently, a client came in who reported hearing difficulties and ringing in the ears which began suddenly about two years ago. After testing revealed a mild hearing loss, the patient began to cry. I believe she was hoping for someone to tell her that her problem could be fixed with a pill or surgery. She was not ready to deal with the possibility of a permanent disability.

The better part of the next hour was spent talking to this patient. We explained to her the facts about her current hearing abilities, we discussed how this would impact her life, and offered recommendations for how to deal with this new situation and improve quality of life.

By the end, I believe the patient left with more hope than she had when she came in. For this reason, I feel we did our jobs well.

Some patients take more time to come to terms with their hearing loss than other patients. They are not ready to learn about strategies and devices that they can use to combat their hearing loss. It is the job of a good audiologist to help a patient first accept their disability than teach them how it can be overcome.

If you are experiencing difficulties in social situations and are afraid of what this might mean, make an appointment with your local audiologist. He or she can answer your questions and maybe put your mind at ease.