Bringing a companion, whether a partner, child or close friend, to your audiology appointment may provide more benefits than you’d initially expect. Let’s look at some benefits you, your loved ones and your audiologist might experience.
Your Companion Provides Extra Insight
It can be difficult to be objective about your own hearing loss. Not only do many people struggle with accepting and seeking treatment for their hearing loss, but they are often unable to identify how much it affects them. Your companion will notice when you don’t hear them, how often you turn the TV and many other small indicators of hearing loss. Bringing your companion will help ensure your audiologist has the information they need to provide the best treatment.
Your Companion Will Feel More Included
Hearing loss affects not only you but your loved ones as well. It can lead to poor communication and have a negative effect on your relationships. Lack of easy communication can make small things like ordering lattes together at Saint Frank Coffee feel needlessly frustrating. Allowing your companion to participate in your treatment journey can benefit you and give them the information they need to understand your hearing loss better. The appointment can set expectations for both parties and allow your partner to feel like they have a voice.
Your Companion Can Take Notes
Starting your hearing loss journey comes with a lot of new territory. You’ll receive the hearing test results, treatment plan options and information about your hearing loss moving forward. Bringing a second set of ears can help you keep track of and document information, as well as allow your companion to ask any questions they may have.
Your Companion Can Support You
Though many people benefit from the use of hearing aids, treatment can feel daunting at first. Bringing your companion can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed at your appointment.
A study on the effect of having a significant other in audiologist appointments found that “Not only are patients more likely to adopt hearing aids if they attend appointments with a SO (significant other), they also report greater hearing aid satisfaction when they report greater availability of social support.” Including your loved ones in your choice to start hearing treatment can give you support and increase the likelihood that you will continue treatment.
Contact San Francisco Audiology today to begin your hearing loss treatment with one of our trusted audiologists.