Aural Rehabilitation in Modern Practice Webinar-Aural Rehabilitation in Modern Practice Webinar Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, “Oral Rehabilitation in Modern Practice: Steps for Success,” focused on how hearing healthcare providers can use oral rehabilitation (AR) to improve patient outcomes, satisfaction, and hearing aid acceptance. Presenter David Frazier explained that AR is a holistic, ongoing process designed to help adults adjust to acquired hearing loss after language development is established.<br /><br />He emphasized that hearing loss is widespread in the U.S., but many people who could benefit from hearing aids do not use them. AR can help close that gap by reducing hearing aid returns, increasing usability, and supporting realistic expectations. A major theme was that clinicians must educate patients thoroughly: explain the audiogram, set expectations clearly, and guide patients through emotional reactions to hearing loss using the stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.<br /><br />The presentation also covered patient-centered hearing aid selection, considering lifestyle, work environment, dexterity, vision, budget, and vanity. Frazier stressed the importance of demoing hearing aids, using follow-up appointments, offering communication tools like journals, and involving family or third parties when appropriate. He also described assistive listening devices, communication strategies, and practical counseling tips such as restaurant seating, phone placement, and structured wearing schedules.<br /><br />The webinar concluded that AR is an underused but powerful approach that can improve communication, reduce cognitive strain, and help patients become more comfortable and successful with amplification.

Keywords

oral rehabilitation

hearing healthcare

hearing loss

hearing aids

patient education

audiogram

expectation management

patient-centered care

assistive listening devices

communication strategies

counseling

hearing aid acceptance

follow-up appointments

stages of grief

amplification