National Audiology Awareness Month 2021 - The Importance of Family Centred Care

National Audiology Awareness Month 2021

Discussing Family Centred Care in Audiology

October 2021

For National Audiology Awareness Month 2021, we discuss the Family Centred Care Approach and family centred care for adults

At Hearing Aid UK, we know how important family is and recognise that they play an integral role in healthcare.  Because of this, we welcome this approach and are proactive enthusiasts of Family Centred Care (FCC).  We know from our own experiences, that having somebody else’s input and presence, can evoke solid and strong decision making about you and your hearing.

Family centred care and decision making - Reduce Stress

Making the right decisions for your hearing is often a daunting task with many variances to consider.  It involves scheduling appointments, receiving and understanding advice, making choices that are right for you, implementing the advice given and maintaining hearing health.  Therefore, family involvement is often crucial. 

Family centred care and communication

Perhaps, to soften the anxiety, support you with important decisions or to help you feel more confident in the process.  Your family will observe the implications of hearing loss first-hand and with that gain a better understanding.  The good news here is that perceptions of the family can be altered.  If seen in the past as negative, a more positive approach to hearing loss can be found, with them just simply being there.

Positive Family Interaction

The Family Centred Care approach to healthcare is not new, it has been around for some time, but has only recently hit the independent audiology scene.  We are slightly baffled by this, as FCC is only seen as a positive to our audiologists, as it ensures their patient relationships are built with trust and confidence in the service and products provided. 

We know that families, in turn, appreciate the involvement of being included in the process.  However, this service is not often seen in high street hearing centres, as there is little consultation time to commit to each patient.  More speed than patient interaction and tailored care.

Family centred care in the community - You are not alone

We are also so lucky that we have great access to so much information online.  There are various forums and informative websites that can give you access to hearing healthcare and hearing aids.  Many organisations are dedicated to bringing awareness and support to the hearing loss community and their friends and families.

Recognising the Possibilities of Support

Most people discover their hearing loss with family and friend interaction – so why not make them a part of the journey?  It may have been an emotional path that has brought you to see an audiologist.  A hearing problem that has worsened over time and has impacted the whole family. 

Realising that your quality of life has altered is never easy, but together with your family, you can all understand your hearing loss. By developing a strong alliance with your audiologist and motivating each other, you will find the right solution for yourself - through communication and advice.  Do not let your hearing loss get in the way of enjoying being with people that mean the most to you.

Family Centred Care - In Conclusion

All our audiologists have always been great advocates for family centred care and person-centred care.  We believe that building a strong and trusting relationship with our patients, along with their families, is invaluable.  We also know that treating everyone as though every hearing loss is the same will not work.  We partner with our patients, we adapt and support them through their own unique hearing loss journey, as all hearing loss is completely different and deserves special focus.

Finding the right hearing aids and hearing healthcare will not just open doors, it will change your life.  With our network of over two hundred independent audiologists nationwide – there is a practice near you that will show you your hearing potential.

We can support you locally

Call us free on 0800 567 7621 for more information on hearing healthcare, hearing aids and how we beneficially include your family and friends either at home or in clinic.

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