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Editorial
From Sharan Westcott, Principal Audiologist, Australian Hearing.
Working in partnership –
better outcomes for us all
Someone with a hearing loss is more
than a pair of ears that doesn’t work
properly. They live in a complex world
of relationships, learning environments,
work and social situations which place
different demands on their hearing.
Australian Hearing recognises that when
it comes to our clients, hearing better
is about much more than simply fitting
a suitable, high quality hearing aid.
Our audiologists have to find out about
each client’s communication needs and
life context.
The choice of hearing aid has to match
those needs as closely as possible*. Then
it’s important that the client can actually
manage the aid to get all of the benefits
it can offer. This may involve simple
instruction, or it may require some
retraining of the brain to listen to new
sounds. We also offer advice about other
devices, such as amplified telephones
and devices for the television, which
may help in situations where their
hearing aid’s ability is limited.
Without exception we find the people
who influence the “success” of a hearing
aid are those who live and work with the
person with hearing loss. This is why we
like family members to come along to
appointments too. When a child has a
hearing loss from birth or soon after, the
impact on many aspects of their life can
be great, which is why the paediatric
audiologists at Australian Hearing work
as closely as they can with educators of
the young people they see.
Hearing loss can affect many aspects of
a child’s life, from speech and language
development to educational outcomes
and self esteem. It is no simple matter
to help hearing impaired children to
achieve their full potential – the child
needs input from people with a wide
range of expertise. Australian Hearing
audiologists form one part of the team
that works with children and their
families to help them deal with hearing
loss. We may be experts in hearing, but
it is the parents and carers who are the
experts when it comes to their child
and their unique family situation.
Part of the paediatric audiologist’s role
is to work with teachers to help them
keep up to date with the latest in
audiology and technology, as well as
ensure that audiological and educational
programs for each child are heading
towards the same goal. Of course, this
process is not just about our audiologists
educating other people – one of the
rewards of working closely with
educators is the wealth of knowledge
and experience they have to share
with us.
Our article Friends and Relations – the
other type of “hearing aid” on page 6
explores the many significant ways
others can help our clients get the most
out of their hearing and their lives. We
hope it encourages friends and families
to think positively and creatively about
the difference they can make in the lives
of their hearing impaired loved ones.
* See Hear & Now 2003 for more
information about matching hearing
aid features to benefits.
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