Monday, May 6, 2013

Monday Misunderstanding 4: Communication Skills Suck When You're Hearing Impaired



Today, I received praise from my audiologist. 

In terms of "testing" my hearing, Dr. Sharon decided to call from her cell phone to mine, allowing me to try out the telecoil function on my cochlear implant processor. Telecoil technology can better separate background noise from the sounds someone wants to hear, such as a TV at a distance, or a voice on the telephone.  This pairing of telecoil technology with cochlear implants (or hearing aids) bridges the physical space between a person and the sound source.

I've tried the telecoil a few times during rehab exercises and work conference calls, but each time with limited success.   That trend continued today. 

I struggled.  I could feel the frustrated tears rise to the surface, my inner dialogue growing more defiant by the second.

I don't give a crap about the telecoil right now.  I just want to be able to understand my kids in the car.  My coworkers when they speak to me.  A friend in a restaurant.

Quickly, I said, "I don't want to do this anymore.  Let's move on."

Each time I meet with my audiologist, I get nervous about the time. 

Maybe you identify if you've ever had a pressing health concern and you finally catch that in-demand specialist.  You want to make the best use of that face time and today, I didn't go in with high hopes of telecoiling.

My expectations have lowered significantly.  I just want better in-person speech clarity.

So I did not get praise for being patient and kind during the telecoil experiment.   A polite hear-er with the telecoil, I am not. 

However, Dr. Sharon called me a GOOD LISTENER.  A GOOD COMMUNICATOR.

I was a bit taken aback by her feedback, maybe because I feel so tongue-tied when it comes to explaining how I hear to her.  She often spends way over an hour with me, but still, it flies by, and  that time to me is precious.  I want to ensure I'm communicating as best I can to achieve optimal mapping. 

Here are some of my descriptions I've used when describing CI hearing thus far (I'd love to hear what others say):
  • For a few months, each time someone said "Ch" or "Sh," it felt like the person was flicking me in the head.  As you can imagine, I felt that way often.
  • In the last month, each time Claire clapped her hands (and this is often, as she opts to dance place to place instead of walk), it felt like once again, I was getting head-flicked.  No fun.
  • I say sometimes it's like a pounding headache, but only for a few seconds in the implant location.
  • I use phrases like "voices sound like they have two layers" and "there are holes in sentences"
  • I use words like "echo" and "squeak" and "static" and "robotic"
Does this accurately convey my experiences?  Sometimes, I'm not sure. 

But Dr. Sharon assured me I'm a good listener.  After conducting a comfort test within each of the CI's electrodes, one by one, gaining my feedback after each and every beep, she said I'm "in tune" with what I'm hearing.

I believe many hearing impaired people are, ironically, good communicators.  In my case, I know I'm good at reading visual cues.  Body language, facial expressions, where a person looks when speaking-- all of these factors have aided my intuitive capabilities in the workplace and beyond.  I also double-check a lot; I rephrase and repeat.  I'm all the more conscientious and want to be sure I understand completely.  I pay attention (it's exhausting, at times-- but I still do it) and I believe this brings better results in my life- both at home and in my professions- and also makes other people feel acknowledged and appreciated.

So am I a good listener with my new mapping?  Only time will tell.  But it's doctor-approved that I'm hearing impaired and my communication skills don't suck.

What about you?  How do you communicate successfully with doctors?  With hearing professionals?






12 comments:

  1. YES! Flicking me in the head with every sh and ch sound! YES, YES, YES! It's sooooo annoying!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, it's been awhile since I've been on my blog, but I saw your comment and wanted to offer suggestions. I had several electrodes SHUT OFF COMPLETELY and this made a MAJOR difference when it came to the intensities of sounds such as "ch" and "sh." Wanted to share in case you want to bring it up with your audiologist. Thanks for reading!

      Delete
  2. hi! May I ask how your sister's experience with the cochlear implant is different from yours?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey! I have read all your Blog. This is so nice and awesome service you have provided, I have learned so many new things from here and want to implement on my website. If you also want to know something new related to our services then visit my website.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really like your blog.It is very useful and beneficial.Can you visit my website which is related to hearing aid services and share your valuable words.
    hearing aid services in hyderabad

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great information, How can I book an appointment for Hearing Aid in Hyderabad , also suggest me good quality brand.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Am Richard, I am here to testify about a great herbalist  man who cured my wife of breast cancer. His name is Dr Imoloa. My wife went through this pain for 3 years, i almost spent all i had, until i saw some testimonies online on how Dr. Imoloa cure them from their diseases, immediately i contacted him through. then he told me the necessary things to do before he will send  the herbal medicine. Wish he did through DHL courier service, And he instructed us on how to apply or drink the medicine for good two weeks. and to greatest surprise before the upper third week my wife was relief from all the pains, Believe me, that was how my wife was cured from breast cancer by this great man. He also have powerful herbal medicine to cure diseases like: Alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, vaginal cancer, epilepsy Anxiety Disorders, Autoimmune Disease, Back Pain, Back Sprain, Bipolar Disorder, Brain Tumor, Malignant, Bruxism, Bulimia, Cervical Disc Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Neoplasms , chronic respiratory disease, mental and behavioral disorder, Cystic Fibrosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma, Autoimmune inflammatory media arthritis ed. chronic kidney disease, inflammatory joint disease, impotence, alcohol spectrum feta, dysthymic disorder, eczema, tuberculosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus disease, mouth ulcer, mouth cancer, body pain, fever, hepatitis ABC, syphilis, diarrhea, HIV / AIDS, Huntington's disease, back acne, chronic kidney failure, addison's disease, chronic pain, Crohn's pain, cystic fibrosis, fibromyalgia, inflammatory Bowel disease, fungal nail disease, Lyme disease, Celia disease, Lymphoma, Major depression, Malignant melanoma, Mania, Melorheostosis, Meniere's disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis, Multiple sclerosis, Muscular dystrophy, Rheumatoid arthritis. You can reach him Email Via drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com / whatsapp +2347081986098    Website/ www.drimolaherbalmademedicine.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cochlear Implants In Ahmedabad, Vastrapur, satellite, Navarangpura, C G Road, Ashram Road, Ellis Bridge- contact us Apple Speech & Hearing clinic +919824038881 for Cochlear Implants Surgery, top cochlear implants in ahmedabad


    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome information which you provide to all of us

    Regards

    hearing aids in Hyderabad

    ReplyDelete
  9. Which is the best hearing clinic is hearing loss treatment in Ahmedabad? Apple Speech & Hearing Clinic in Ahmedabad is one of the best hearing clinic in Ahmedabad, Vastrapur, Satellite, Navarangpura, C G Road, Ashram Road, Ellis Bridge, near me, Searching for Speech & hearing Problems in Ahmedabad? Dr. Amit Anand at Apple Speech and Hearing Clinic is a well-known hearing problems doctor in Ahmedabad, the No. 1 hearing clinic in Ahmedabad.
    Apple Speech and Hearing Clinic offers the best hearing aids in Ahmedabad and at affordable prices. Visit our hearing aid clinic today and find solutions to your problems

    ReplyDelete