It’s not easy to be familiar with new devices for the first time and that’s totally understandable. If you’re a newbie, don’t get discouraged. There is still time to undergo counselling so you’ll know how to use hearing aids and develop your listening abilities.
First-time wearers usually have issues adapting to their own environment since they hear things that don’t seem natural to them. If someone close to you is suffering from hearing loss, you definitely know what we are exactly talking about. As a trusted hearing care centre, Listening Lab provides professional hearing assessment and our hearing experts keep track of every person’s progress in terms of communication abilities.
What is Aural Rehabilitation
Aural rehabilitation, also known as listening rehabilitation, aims to help people with hearing loss improve their communication skills and overall quality of life. This process involves various techniques and strategies designed to enhance the ability to hear and understand speech, even in challenging listening environments. There are several types of aural rehabilitation:
- Listening / Hearing Tests: These tests assess the person’s current hearing abilities and identify specific areas that need improvement. This information is important for tailoring the rehabilitation programme to the person’s needs.
- Proper Usage of Hearing Aids: Training includes instructions on how to use and maintain hearing aids effectively. This ensures that users can maximise the benefits of their devices.
- Speech Tests and Training: Speech tests evaluate the individual's ability to understand and produce speech sounds. Training may involve exercises to improve speech recognition and clarity.
Basically, aural rehabilitation simply means to train people with hearing problems so they can properly communicate and learn how to adjust in our society.
Aural Rehabilitation and Its Benefits
Aural rehabilitation is important, and this is the reason why a person with hearing loss is often endorsed to hearing care professionals. If someone is experiencing this kind of condition, proper counselling shall be considered all the time for better improvement. Aside from buying hearing aids, training the person on how to cope with their lives on a daily basis, especially with their newfound hearing, is something that should not be ignored. Here are several benefits for adults or children who opt for aural rehab:
Speech Clarity
When using hearing aids, it is also good to hear your own voice. This will give you a clue in which direction you want to go. With hearing loss rehabilitation, our hearing professionals can let patients hear their own voices and take speech exercises whenever possible. This includes simple pronunciations that can have a positive impact on their speaking abilities.
Self-Confidence
Aural rehabilitation utilises a proper method to boost confidence since it is a classroom setting with complete resources that can make patients knowledgeable.
Avoid Communication Barriers
Patients are being trained to hear/listen, speak and comprehend so they can easily interact with other people around them. Besides that, listening rehabilitation can help improve speech understanding in noisy environments, making it easier for them to follow conversations in social settings, workplaces, and other challenging auditory situations.
Use of Hearing Aids
Patients are being taught how to understand basic device functionalities so it can maximise their hearing and listening abilities. During aural rehab for adults, children or seniors, our experts make sure that people who have these conditions are familiar with the current hearing device technology. We consider sessions that commonly target their weak areas to further improve them.
Who Can Benefit from Aural Rehabilitation Services?
Aural rehabilitation services can benefit a wide range of people, including adults, children, and seniors. These services are particularly useful for those experiencing hearing loss, whether due to age, injury, or other medical conditions.
People with various degrees and types of hearing loss, such as sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss, can typically benefit from these programmes, as hearing loss rehabilitation is tailored to help improve communication abilities and overall quality of life.
Techniques and Strategies Used in Aural Rehabilitation
Aural rehabilitation employs various techniques and strategies to enhance communication skills. These include:
- Auditory Training Exercises: These exercises help improve the ability to recognise and understand sounds. They are generally useful for those using hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- Speech Reading and Lip Reading Techniques: These techniques involve using visual cues to enhance understanding of spoken language, beneficial for both adults and children.
- Communication Strategies for Everyday Situations: Teaching effective communication strategies, such as asking for clarification and optimising listening environments, helps patients navigate daily interactions more successfully.
The Science Behind Aural Rehabilitation
Studies have shown that aural rehabilitation can generally reduce the impact of hearing loss on daily activities and enhance the use of hearing aids and other assistive devices. One of the notable studies is conducted by the Center for Hearing and Communication and Gallaudet University. The study found that an 8-week remote auditory training programme improved speech understanding and cognitive areas such as speed, attention, and memory among older adult cochlear implant users. This highlights the potential benefits of incorporating cognitive training into aural rehabilitation protocols.
Another study emphasised that hearing loss rehabilitation can help decrease depressive symptoms associated with hearing loss, particularly in older adults. The research demonstrated that structured auditory training and the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants can lead to improvements in mental health and overall well-being.
Additionally, advances in technology and methodologies continue to improve the outcomes of these aural rehabilitation programmes. Modern techniques such as tele-aural rehabilitation, which offers remote training and support, have made these services more accessible and convenient for patients.
Book a Listening / Aural Rehabilitation Programme in Malaysia Now!
The Listening Lab offers free listening rehabilitation sessions with selected hearing aid model purchases. These sessions aim to accelerate the improvement of hearing aid users' listening skills, helping them achieve better results more quickly.
To schedule an initial consultation for aural rehabilitation, contact us through WhatsApp and make an appointment at your preferred location. Preparing for your first appointment involves bringing your hearing aids, any previous audiogrammes, and a list of your hearing and communication goals. This ensures the audiologist can create a personalised hearing loss rehabilitation plan tailored to your needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or audiologist for specific recommendations and treatments tailored to your individual needs. Aural rehabilitation and hearing aid maintenance should be conducted under the supervision of licensed professionals to ensure safety and effectiveness. The effectiveness of aural rehabilitation techniques and devices can vary from person to person, and it is important to follow professional guidance for the best outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aural Rehabilitation
How long does aural rehabilitation take?
The duration of aural rehabilitation at rehabilitation centres for hearing-impaired people varies depending on the individual's needs and goals. It can range from a few weeks to several months, with regular sessions scheduled to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.
Can children benefit from aural rehabilitation?
Yes, children with hearing loss can generally benefit from aural rehabilitation. Early intervention helps improve language development, communication skills, and overall academic performance.
What role do family members play in aural rehabilitation?
Family members play a crucial role in the aural rehabilitation process, and it’s especially important in aural rehab for adults. Their involvement can provide emotional support, assist with practice exercises at home, and help reinforce communication strategies learned during sessions.
Can aural rehabilitation help with tinnitus?
Aural rehabilitation can include techniques to manage tinnitus, such as sound therapy and counselling. These methods help reduce the perception of tinnitus and its impact on daily life.
What is the cost of aural rehabilitation?
The cost of aural rehabilitation can vary based on the provider, duration of the programme, and the specific services included. At Listening Lab, you can enjoy free hearing loss rehabilitation with our Lifetime Aftercare Programme, which you’re automatically enrolled in after completing a full-service hearing aid fitting with us.
