Read the full transcript here
Hands and Voices is a parent-led support organization dedicated to providing support to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Today I am speaking with their Co-Founder and Executive director, Janet DesGeorges whose own daughter was diagnosed with hearing loss as a baby.
This week on the All About Audiology podcast:
* 1:46 – When Janet’s daughter failed a childhood hearing test, she suggested to the audiologist that maybe her daughter’s attention was focused elsewhere. The audiologist scheduled a retest for the following day, and Janet felt that this was a positive experience since she felt listened to and acknowledged.
* 6:54 – Sometimes it can be hard to accept a diagnosis, not because the parents don’t believe it, but because they can’t believe it. They might wonder if the information the doctor has given them is accurate.
* 9:50 – The ability to advocate for your child develops over time. The more you understand, the more confident you will be.
* 13:13 – When the audiologist told Janet of her daughter’s hearing loss, she felt that the news was delivered with kindness. Unfortunately, this kind of news is not always delivered with empathy.
* 16:22 – There often tends to be a dynamic between patients and doctors, where the doctor is the authority and the patient is expected to listen to them. Sometimes, a patient might lie to the doctor because they are afraid of “getting into trouble”.
* 18:16 – During one part of the hearing test, where a probe is placed in the ear, Janet’s daughter began screaming in pain but the audiologist told Janet it was normal. Janet did not yet have the knowledge or experience to advocate for her daughter in that situation.
* 20:54 – Although it may be just another half hour for the doctor delivering the news, the family on the receiving end of a diagnosis will remember that moment forever.
* 26:37 – Instead of asking yes or no questions, clinicians should ask more thought-provoking questions or even provide a list of question prompts. This will help the family get the most benefit from their appointment.
* 31:27 – Remember to provide your child with moments where they can just be a kid. Advocating is important, but so are regular childhood experiences.
* 34:23 – In the beginning, it can be difficult to differentiate between fact and opinion, and you will often be on the receiving end of both. The important thing is raising your child to be a healthy, happy communicative adult who can live independently.
* 38:28 – Take in as much information as you can, see if it applies to your life and child, and if it doesn’t—let it go. What works for your child is what makes a choice correct.
* 43:30 – As parents, you can only work with the information you have at the time. Sometimes decisions will change down the road as a child grows and begins to make their own choices.
* 49:11 – Advice for professionals – spend some time getting to know who is sitting across from you. Look at their chart, learn their name, and think about what they might want to get out of their appointment.
* 52:02 – Advice for parents – many professionals are going to come in and out of your life and some experiences won’t be positive.
