Quick Stats:

Name: Angus

Age bracket: 29 to 39 

Likes: coffee, watches, his dogs and automation in engineering 

Dislikes: lack of sleep 

Audiology need to know: has hearing loss

Hearing aids: yes, enjoys mass streaming functionality

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When Angus came in for his initial audiology appointment we hit it off straight away. I believe that people aren't simply seeking 'another hearing healthcare professional' but an audiology professional for life. Hearing is such an important part of us as humans (social creatures) that you can't simply see one audiologist, after another, what you should be seeking is an audiologist that you can work with for life. When you find one that you trust and can motivate you, stick with them. 

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Angus is an engaging individual who, like many with hearing issues, was really apprehensive about what was going to happen in that initial appointment. When we went through all the clinical aspects and he was diagnosed with a hearing loss that required hearing aids, I was happy to see he took this onboard relatively well. Maybe a confirmation occurred at this appointment, or a relief that it wasn't anyone else's problem but his own.

 

Angus used to work in a medical practice, he was the practice manager and took a lot of phone calls. He hated this part of his job as he would say "people would mumble, talk too fast, not talk clearly, have terrible line connections etc" and he felt immense pressure to get all the details correct from the get go, of the conversation. When he couldn't get the details right, he felt angry, frustrated and that 'he had let down' people in the practice. We discussed realistic expectations of hearing aid use, and even with hearing aid use, phone conversations were not always going to be ideal or perfect. Hearing aids would certainly help, as well as understanding where to position the phone, accessories that could help make phone conversations more accessible and taking calls in a quiet environment. Given Angus didn't wait the average of 9 years* to do something about his hearing loss, meaning no more auditory deprivation, and instead hearing aids provided auditory stimulation, his uptake to using hearing aids was smooth and continues to be so (especially with the streaming features available now).

(*This is a research based average that says people either do nothing when they find out about hearing loss or wait 9 years till the impact of the untreated hearing loss is at the point where they can't cope. You can read more about the impacts of untreated hearing loss here).

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Fast forward and Angus is not in that role any more. Not because he couldn't be, but because he had bigger fish to fry! Angus is now on his way to completing his university studies and a whole lot more. He has been an avid hearing aid wearer since we meet almost a decade ago. He understands the importance of wearing his hearing aids all day (10-14 hours data logging) and intently listening, active listening.

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Angus and I often have part of our audiology appointments at the coffee shop. Mostly because we are sleep deprived parents, and mostly because we consider ourselves coffee aficionado's. We take this opportunity, when time permits, to do real life validation. It's one of the best things about being an independent healthcare provider - delivering services that are 'real life' and meaningful to my clients. I feel privileged to support his hearing health journey and I have been his audiologist for almost a decade now! 

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Angus' hearing health story has been relatively smooth sailing and it's important to highlight the success from his journey comes from Angus understanding what is required from him and what is required from me. Hearing aids are certainly an incredible piece of medical grade technology that can help with hearing loss, but they are only part of the solution. What I want you to take home from this piece is the following:

1. Find an audiologist you can work with for life. Hearing health that requires hearing aid use requires an on-going partnership. This means you need to wear the hearing aids and practice using them everyday and your audiologist needs to be doing real ear measurements and validations to help you hear as well as can be done through technology, they also need to provide counselling.

2. The earlier you do something about your hearing health, the better the long term outcomes (continued social connection,  less frustrations from you and your family from having to repeat themselves, brain health). Don't wait 9 years to do something.

3. Active listening and good communication behaviours are key to outcomes. 

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