The Experience of Hearing Loss ─ Journey Through Aural Rehabilitation

Hearing loss is a common chronic condition which is often poorly recognised but can have multiple negative impacts, not just on the lives of those directly affected, but also those living with them. People with impaired hearing may begin a long and uncertain journey involving a number of key stages, from emerging awareness and help-seeking, to diagnosis, adjustment and self-evaluation.

Based on a model of person-centered audiological rehabilitation, this book explains why it is important to understand both patients’ own experiences, and those of their communication partners, over time. It focuses particularly on the human dynamics of hearing loss, exploring the broader consequences of hearing loss for the individual, family members and wider society. In particular the book:

? Gives insight into the patient’s and their communication partners’ experiences and perspectives through clear and telling first-hand narrative accounts.

? Examines how people understand their own hearing loss, reflect on their experiences with hearing aids - both positive and negative – and evaluate treatment options.

? Considers the changes needed to conversations in order to include all communication partners, whether with impaired hearing or not.

? Discusses consequences of hearing loss using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

With its explicit aim to increase awareness of the need to include the patient and close relatives in the process of rehabilitation, this new text makes an important contribution to further improve evidence-based practice in the field of audiological rehabilitation. An ideal text for audiology, ENT and nursing students of all levels.

Vinaya Manchaiah is Jo Mayo Endowed Professor in the Department of Speech and hearing Sciences at Lamar University, USA. He is also the co-founder the not-for-profit and non-governmental organization, Audiology India.

Berth Danermark is Professor of Sociology in the School of Health and Medical Sciences at Orebro University, Sweden. He is the director of doctoral studies at The Swedish Institute for Disability Research.