Why do I need this Course?

The first question I get from potential clients is, “why should I take this course?”.  I have been working with patients and families for over five years navigating hearing loss and developing better communication strategies.  I have had many patients and their families in my office for the first time that are frustrated, near tears, telling me they just do not know what to do next. They cannot understand why in the past they have invested thousands of dollars in hearing aids, but the devices have fallen short and not solved their problems.  Everyone wants an easy fix when it comes to health care.  We crave a pill we can take, a quick fix that restores our youth and function that makes us whole with no investment or work on our part.  Unfortunately, life is rarely that simple and clear cut.

Hearing loss is a complex problem.  It not only robs you of easy communication, but can decrease your confidence in social situations, make you feel frustrated, left out and isolated.  As audiologists, we know that hearing aids are a piece of the solution, but education about hearing loss and communication strategies for our patients and family members is key to their success. 

In my experience, the health care system demands more patients in a shorter amount of time. Often providers are limited in the amount of time they can give to patient education because the next appointment is waiting.  I decided to make this course to help level the playing field when it comes to education.  I want every patient and family member to be able to understand hearing loss and how they can navigate the difficult world of communication with that hearing loss.  I will tell you now that there is no easy fix to hearing loss.  Hearing loss takes more than a hearing aid.  It takes a plan.  By understanding hearing loss I intend to help you put this plan into place in your life.  This course is designed to help you navigate hearing health care and give yourself rich information so that you can be a patient that is able to advocate for yourself and your personal needs.  You cannot wait for a magic cure. But you can can educate yourself and use the information from this course to create the best possible plan for yourself.

Jessica