ecp

You would think that an Audiology Clinic would maybe...have email or tty instead of only a voice phone number.
Or maybe that the staff would be familiar with deafness.
I called my new audiologist's office today using WebCaptel and the receptionist almost hung up on me because I didn't respond because WebCaptel has a delay. I explained this to her and she had no idea what WebCaptel was so I said "It's like Relay or Relay with VCO". She still had no clue.

Another observation is the waiting area of an audiology clinic- why does the receptionist insist upon calling the patient's name? People are there because they CAN'T HEAR WELL. Maybe calling their name isn't smart because they CAN'T HEAR WELL?????????? The layout of one audiology clinic I visited had all the chairs pointed away from the receptionist and towards a TV that DIDN'T have captions.

Also, my former audiologist was a very chatty woman who became exceedingly more chatty right after I handed my hearing aids to her for programming. Luckily that audiologist was cool and wasn't offended when I compared talking to a severely to profoundly deaf patient with out hearing aids to the popular Dentist past time of asking questions when a tool box full of equipment in jammed in your mouth along with his hand.
The chatty audiologist laughed and refrained from talking until I had my BTEs back in.

I do have a strange sense of humor so I probably find these things funnier than other people. But seriously- audiologists work with patients with hearing loss...telling the receptionists that many of the patients CAN'T hear may be wise.

I'm certain that the first thing one learns in Dental school is to jam a bunch of metal in the patient/victim's mouth then begins the grand inquisition.

Deafness

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Tousi

melissa

Hmm, when I go to mine at my local hospital they don't have a TV, the chairs are kind of in a square so some face the door and some don't, and the audiologist comes out and calls your name, although I can understand that many people wouldn't be able to hear this- there were a lot of people talking and I had trouble when it came to my name- I just knew which order I was in, we got little cards with numbers on.

Mine tends to make chit-chat just after I've given her my hearing aids- how are you, what's your job, been anywhere nice lately, that kind of thing, most of which I can hear but sometimes they'll get a smile and a nod.

deafdude1

With all the mistakes audiologists make, it's no wonder that another one of their mistakes is improperly programming/fitting HAs. A few years ago I tried new HAs and he did a rush job and didn't even get my feedback on how well I was hearing, he basically said "I programmed your HAs, go try them for a month then get back to me" I was like "umm but I don't hear better than with my old HAs" he said I just have to get used to the new HAs. Needless to say, I handed them back to him and walked out.

The Phonak Naida V UP HAs I got, I was hearing louder and better right out of the box so I know it was already a step in the right direction. I got my HAs reprogrammed a few times for additional gains which further improved my ability to hear sounds and speech.

melissa, you should get a TEN or PTC test for cochlear dead regions then try transpositional HAs to work around your dead regions. This will improve your ability to hear S, F, TH and high frequencies.

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melissa

deafdude, I will schedule a test as I think it's been a while since I've had one. Just need to sort out transport for it, as I don't drive and public transport where I live isn't very good. These tests you mention, are they not included in the general audiology tests? I have one where I hear sounds at different freqs/loudnesses and have to press a button on a little controller every time I hear a tone- with and without added background noise to the sound they play. I have also done the bone-conduction tests with those headphones that go around the back of the head and hurt like *******.

How do I know which models are transpositional? Are all digitals capable when programmed, or not? I have Unison 6- can these do that? As I get them free (technically it's on loan) from the NHS I had no choice, I just asked for digital aids and this is what I got.

I emailed my audiologist today asking for copies of my most recent audiograms, for my own info, and said I've been having problems lately so am going to make an appointment. However, I'm meant to clean my aids every day and replace the mic covers every so often, and I've lost the replacement covers and clean them probably once a week.. *hides in shame*.

I think every profession has people who rush and may be rude; cashiers, mechanics, dentists, psychologists- any sort. I have only encountered one psychiatrist in my dealings with mental health professionals, and I found him abrupt and rude. I have also had insensitive psychologists, but now have a very kind person who suits me more. You'd think with very specific professions, audiologists would realise the silliness of calling people's names, dentists would realise you can't tell them about your holiday, and psychologists would make sure to be gentle!

Ridemiown

Even better is when they direct you to a PHONE and say 'Call the clinic and let them know you've checked in'... HELLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! See the form? It says "post cochlear implant follow up"...

If I could use the phone I sure as heck wouldn't have a CI! DUH!

As for any receptionist that hangs up on me, I let the owner know and then take my business elsewhere. I've changed dentists and hair salons as a result. Asshats...

faire_jour

Don't paint all audiologists with this brush. My daughter's audi doesn't EVER rush, or even call our name when it is our turn (even though Miss Kat could hear him just fine) but he walks up to her and greets her face to face. They also have a receptionist who is very familiar with relay, and all his videos have captions activated.

But, in defence, most people with a hearing loss are not Deaf (culturally) they are old and losing their hearing.

Lighthouse77

yes, I think it is VERY odd that audiologists don't know sign language or any efficient communication with the HOH and deaf.

make me wonder, are they doing this on purpose so we will buy hearing aids? you know, make us feel like our hearing is so bad that we need it.

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Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

faire_jour

Also, Miss Kat's audiologist knows basic sign.

I think that some people here need to shop around for better audiologists!

Lighthouse77

easy said than done... especially when so many are like this (majority of them). The only audiologists I know who will communicate through emails and such are the ones who work with CI

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Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

ecp

Thanks deafdude for turning my attempt at humor into both a political debate and your own personal "I know more than you" advice column.
If you are going to be giving advice to people and pontificating, go get your freaking AuD.
Until then, let us have a bit of humor about the mistakes all humans make.

Final note- I will NEVER enter into another discussion with you about stem cells curing deafness. I suggest you work in a lab with stem cells for two years before pinning your hopes and giving false hope to people.

Note to everybody: all people have biases and irrational beliefs. I know I do, so don't think that because a person says the same thing many times that they are an expert.

Woah, ok the above is slightly bitchy. Sorry about that. Most of it is being written in a sarcastic tone.

ecp

My new audiologist is a CODA, so things should be good. I sort of doubt that audiologists don't learn sign language to sell more hearing aids, though it does make for an interesting conspiracy theory

jillio

Well, said, even if "birchy".

And the humor in your original post was duly noted and appreciated. Some need to seriously lighten up.

ecp

Thank you.

Another observation- in my advanced organic chemistry class yesterday the interpreter didn't understand what the professor said so she signed to me "what did the professor say?". I signed back, "How the hell would I know, I'm deaf. Ask a hearing person."
That was enough to make the interpreter start laughing in the middle of class.

jillio

Reminds me of the time I asked my son about his friend, "What did he say?" He gave me "the look" and signed, "Mom, I'm deaf."

thanx2gezus

Wow, I'm glad you've shared. I (as a Audiology student) have learned a lot. Also, some AuD.'s use the greeting (calling the person's name) as a first impression. Not all clients/patients come in with hearing losses (some come with tinnitus, vestibular problems, or just a check up) so it's a good way to get oriented as to the person's hearing level. The secretary/office-worker should know about Relay (etc.) and I hope many of them do, but I would think that there is a learning time (if they are new, since many office-workers come-and-go). As a member of that group, I'd appreciate it if you let me know when (because I will mess-up) I did something 'silly'. Thanks!
I agree that it's strange that audiologists don't know some basic sign, but we have to keep in mind that many are of (or taught by) a previous generation.... There's a little lag time. :/

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jillio

Very true. And you have been given the unique opportunity to change that! Make the most of that opportunity.

deafdude1

I was only pointing out the mistake my audiologist made a few years ago about not spending the time to properly program my HAs. He lost a customer for this as I didn't buy the HAs. There is nothing to debate here, I just wanted to share my story, period.

This thread isn't even about stem cells and I know you are against stem cells. Let me make my choice and respect my choice. You made your choice and I respect this. We both have our disagreements and can leave it at that.

I never claimed to be an expert. I am just a guy learning about deafness, HAs, treatment, etc. I have my own biases too.

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thanx2gezus

I'll do my best! Change takes time.

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"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."
- Habakkuk 2:3, Bible

jillio

Good for you. And yes, it does take time, but it also starts now and with one.

ecp

I am actually very much pro-stem cells. They offer the possibility to cure Type 1 diabetes, many types of cancer (one of my good friend just had a stem cell transplant to cure his cancer) BUT having worked with stem cells and the auditory system I know that it will be a long time before they will cure deafness.

CJB

The audi in my area is fluent in ASL, which I think is great!

But don't even get me started on some of the doctors I've been to! My eye doctor's office still insists on sending me a reminder of my appointment on a 3 x 5 card. No, phone or email aren't options. Another thing they do is test my vision so they have an exact idea of how little I see. Then they ask me to look at their ear or finger when examining my retina. Hello, I'm blind, as you just found out!

You'd think these doctors would have at least minimal training in dealing with blind/deaf people, but I guess not! (I know there are some exceptions, but it should be the rule, not the exception.)

shel90

My brother had an appt with an audi yesterday. He was sooo shocked by how audist that audi was. He said he will dress up as an audist for Halloween. LOL!!!

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Shel~

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

TheWriteAlex

To me, this seems like a bad way of getting a "first impression." For example, I cannot distinguish speech at all unless I can see lips, so I always position myself to be able to see the face of someone entering a room. If the audiologist comes in and calls my name and I am paying attention, I will probably respond as if I had normal hearing, but that is hardly accurate.

On the other hand, my newest audiologist started talking very loud and a little slow to me from the get-go. She also stared very closely at me, which really annoyed me, even though I know she was just trying to be helpful.

I would suggest just asking the patient right away what they are comfortable with. Do they want a louder voice or enunciated words? Should they face the patient or not worry about it? When the audiologist just assumes they know what I need right away, it makes me feel subordinated and disabled.

shel90

Most audiologist view deafness from a pathological standpoint. Rare to see audiologists who are sensitive to deaf people's needs. In my experinece, I have maybe met one audi who knew basic signs. The rest..just like what the OP posted. I dont trust most of them.

My brother just saw an audi yesterday and this audi had the nerve to ask him how he can drive if he doesnt have HAs or a CI. What the f**ck???

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Shel~

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

dogmom

Shel, audi asked your brother that? I guess I am rudely awakened there; I expect it from many hearing people who don't work in that field <have personally encountered laypeople who don't think d/Deaf drive>, but an audiologist......

overthepond

HA audiologist treats me like an conveyer belt.

CI centre treats me with alot of patience, respect, they even spend 10 mins of their time just to talk to me and making sure i am living my life ok... at some point i have to go back to HA Audi to get new HA for my other ear but dreading to so.

LADave

ECP - Your expectations are plain common sense. I would inform the receptionist of the problem but I'd also go as high as possible on the food chain to complain. It's up to management to give employees whatever equipment and training they need to communicate effectively with their clients. You'll be doing that clinic and all the other deaf/hoh folks who deal with them a big favor.

Then if things don't improve and if you have the option, I would go to a different facility and I would let the management know you've done so and why. If you're stuck with this clinic for health insurance reasons or whatever, next thing would be to complain to the insurer or organization that sends you there.

I've run into the same thing with my HMO - Kaiser Permanente. The professionals who mainly deal with deaf/hoh folks are pretty good. The mainstream staff at the sub-professional level don't seem to get it, and you rarely deal with the same person twice at that level. Kiaser needs to have an ombusperson to deal with access issues for folks with disabilities but if this person exists I haven't found them yet. I have tried complaining to "member services", but Kaiser is a huge bureaucracy and the wheels turn slowly.

CrazyOne

I don’t post here often and have no hearing loss. My connection is in the industry that serves the hearing impaired.

I will give you a little insight from the “other side”. People in general, have life experience and that is what they know. Although they actually know that other people are “different” they really don’t understand this. Let me give you an example that everyone will understand. Most people get beef (hamburger, steak, etc) come from a grocery store. You simply go there, give them money and you get food. That is most people’s reality. The actual reality is that someone had to slaughter and butcher the meat before it got put into that nice package.

What does this mean? To a person that hears, they know from a “textbook” point of view what hearing loss means to a person’s life. However, they don’t really understand what you go through until you live through it.

I think most people in the industry try very hard to make a different in people’s lives. Sometimes they just don’t get all the details correct.
C1

sallylou

My audiologist has a pathological view of deafness, too. She considers it her role to deliver bad news to old people who have lost their hearing. She told me so. I can imagine that it's hard to deliver bad news, but the attitude of the person delivering the news can make a difference in how the news is framed. I have to wonder if she went in to audiology just because it's lucrative to sell HAs. She could just be disenchanted with her job, in which case she'd be doing deaf people a favor by finding a different line of work.

When I change my HAs, I'll find a new audiologist. I've already got one scouted out.

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