Healthnotes Library
The Role of Aural (Auditory) Rehabilitation in Improving Hearing Loss
Published and reviewed June 2011
The process of being fit with hearing aids, including the adjustment phase that follows, is an experience as unique as the individual. Some people adjust very quickly, while others may need more time to get used to hearing all the new sounds around them. Factors such as a person's age, the different types of listening environments they are in, the degree and type of hearing impairment, and how long a person has been living with hearing loss can all have an effect on the time period following the initial fitting of the instruments. It's not like buying a pair of shoes where a walk around the store may indicate if these are the pair for you! Adjusting to hearing aids take time, patience and a little understanding helps too.
In an article titled "Buying a Hearing Aid", the May, 2011 AARP Bulletin (www.aarp.org/bulletin) it was recommended that potential hearing aid users ask about something called "aural rehabilitation." According to the American Speech Language Hearing Association (www.asha.org), aural rehabilitation, or AR, "will focus on adjusting to your hearing loss, making the best of your hearing aids, exploring assistive devices that might help, managing conversations, and taking charge of your communication. Services can be individual, in small groups, or a combination of both".
Typically AR sessions are broken into 1-2 hour sessions that meet about once a week. Topics covered may include:
- a basic understanding of the auditory system
- social/emotional impact of hearing loss on an individual and partner
- realistic expectations
- exercises to get used to hearing with hearing aids
- controlling the listening environment
- communication strategies
- speech reading skills and total communication
A benefit of group instruction is the ability to share stories of success and frustration in a safe setting with others. Another helpful aspect is allowing partners/loved ones of participants to come along to AR sessions. A partner will gain greater understanding about their loved one's hearing impairment and may also learn how communicate more effectively with them. Dr. Raymond Hull (the Hearing Journal, April 2011) stresses the importance of slowing down the rate of speech and having instruction on speech production in order to help with overall speech understanding. Communication is a two way street after all!
Ask your audiologist if this is a service that they offer. It is not only for new users of hearing instruments; even those who are experienced users may benefit from a few sessions.
About the Author
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Sarah Klimasewski, Au.D.
Sarah Klimasewski, Au.D., is an audiologist and community outreach coordinator with Hart Hearing Centers of Rochester. Dr. Klimasewski obtained her clinical doctorate degree from Salus University in 2009 and her MS degree from Syracuse University in 1992. She has previously worked in a variety of clinical settings and currently dedicates her time to educating the public on hearing related topics. She grew up in the Rochester area; graduating from West Irondequoit High School and currently resides in Fairport. |
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