Redaktionell
What Is Aural Rehabilitation (AR) and Why Is It Important?
There is a lot more to hearing care than hearing aids)
)
Veröffentlicht am Jun 6, 2022
:format(webp))
The purpose of Aural Rehabilitation (AR) is to help patients learn how to optimize their hearing experience through adaptive strategies and technology. It is patient-centered and designed to reduce negative impacts of hearing loss, which can include a decrease in attending social gatherings, communication ability, and overall quality of life. Many providers believe AR is a critical step in obtaining the best outcomes for people with hearing loss.
The process can be a combination of formalized questionnaires to gather information about how the hearing loss is impacting the patient, as well as informal counseling and technology recommendations. Preliminary discussions with and without the use of formal questionnaires will show the provider how they will best be able to support you.
Some providers use standardized questionnaires to better understand where you can use support. Others are able to talk informally with you and understand your hearing journey without the use of a specialized questionaire. In either case, they will tailor your care based on your responses.
Aural rehab is actually at the foundational origins of audiology, and among its key goals are:
Many great providers already incorporate AR into their daily clinics. Through counseling conversations during an evaluation, to explaining the hearing test results to patients and loved ones, many of the verbiage and techniques are incorporated naturally. The best clinicians have already implemented many steps along the way to ensure their patients achieve optimal results.
Some providers have a formalized class to teach patients about many aspects of AR. This is often a complementary class with the purchase of hearing aids, or it can be fee-based. It is not something that is typically covered by health insurance.
There are online forums for those with hearing loss, as well as programs in which you can enroll to strengthen your auditory listening skills, that ensure you are making the most of your hearing levels. Below are 2 programs designed by audiologists that you can do from your own computer:
:format(webp))
Some clinics provide these computer-based programs in the clinic environment for patients who do not feel comfortable using the computer at home; other clinics refer their patients to this site to do on their own time. Ask your provider if you’re interested.
There are also some great consumer groups available for people with hearing loss, such as the Hearing Loss Association of America, the AG Bell Association (for parents of children with hearing loss), and the American Tinnitus Association, to name only a few. Some of these have state and local chapters that host online activities and get-togethers where members share tips and “life hacks” for better hearing and communication.
As with anything in life, the more information you can gather, generally the better outcomes. AR is an important step in the process of learning about hearing loss, and the impacts it may have on you is crucial in success. Your hearing care provider will be able to help you in understanding this impact by guiding you through simple discussions during your journey to better hearing.
Dr. Gerhart ist eine Audiologin mit Erfahrung in der Pädiatrie bis zur Geriatrie, die in verschiedenen Umgebungen gearbeitet hat, einschließlich Privatpraxis und HNO-Kliniken. Sie leitete zuvor das Audiologie-Programm im Philadelphia School District. Ihre Leidenschaft ist es, Menschen mit Hörverlust zu helfen, den größtmöglichen Nutzen aus ihren Technologien zu ziehen und sie auf ihrem Weg zu besserem Hörvermögen zu begleiten.
Dr. Bailey ist ein führender Experte für Verbrauchertechnologie in der Audiologie-Branche. Er ist ein überzeugter Befürworter der patientenzentrierten Hörkommunikation und audiologischen Best Practices und begrüßt jede technologische Innovation, die den Zugang zu qualitativ hochwertigen Hörergebnissen verbessert. Dr. Bailey hält einen Au.D. vom Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
