Audiologic rehabilitation is a very important process for individuals with hearing loss. The methods used in this process are focused on enhancing individuals’ hearing abilities to optimal conditions and improving the proper processing of all received sounds. In this respect, audiologic rehabilitation is a critical step in improving the quality of life for those with hearing loss.

Primarily, audiologists along with all healthcare personnel involved in a multidisciplinary approach help individuals to improve their communication skills. Rehabilitation is usually conducted in the form of individual or small group sessions, enabling participants to learn how to cope with challenges they may encounter in daily life.

Doctor Audiologist Emel Uğur

Dr. Audiologist Emel Uğur was born in 1982 in Çanakkale. During her 15-year tenure at Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, she primarily worked on Pediatric Audiology (Hearing Loss in Infants and Children), Otological Diseases (Ear Diseases and Hearing Health), and Vestibular System Disorders (Vertigo and Imbalance). In 2015, she joined the Acıbadem Healthcare Group.

About Me

What is Audiologic Rehabilitation?

Audiologic rehabilitation aims to develop the lost functional abilities of individuals with hearing loss by using various methods and techniques to alleviate the difficulties they experience.

Initially, teaching and counseling services are provided to support individuals’ perceptual abilities. The process of providing auditory input is supported by the use of hearing aids and technological devices. Through these methods, individuals:

• Develop sensory management skills,
• Participate more actively in daily activities,
• Become more effective in overcoming social and psychosocial barriers.

In conclusion, audiologic rehabilitation helps to reduce the cognitive and psychosocial burden of hearing loss on individuals. While focusing on the development of auditory perceptual skills, the central management of speech and hearing processes is improved.

What is the Goal of Rehabilitation?

The primary goal of audiologic rehabilitation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. The development of communication skills is central to achieving this goal. The ability to communicate effectively plays a critical role in overcoming daily challenges. The rehabilitation process is supported by the following strategies:

• Sensory management to optimize auditory function.
• Developing skills for using technology and controlling the listening environment.
• Perceptual training to improve speech perception and effective communication skills.
• Counseling on the ability to manage personal and social limitations.

What Factors Influence the Benefits of Auditory Rehabilitation?

The benefits achieved through auditory rehabilitation are not solely dependent on the treatment methods; they are shaped by many factors such as the individual’s lifestyle and motivation. The benefits provided by rehabilitation are directly related to the individual’s ability to adapt to daily life.

Additionally, personal expectations and commitment to the rehabilitation process greatly influence the outcomes. A supportive social environment and a strong sense of empowerment boost motivation, thereby positively supporting the treatment process.

• Motivation
• Compliance
• Lifestyle
• Expectations
• Support
• Sense of empowerment

Furthermore, the development of cognitive and sensory perceptions is also important. The success of auditory rehabilitation is closely related to the individual’s ability to adapt to auditory, tactile, and visual perceptions.

What are the Levels of Hearing Loss and the Associated Challenges?

The levels of hearing loss determine the communication challenges individuals face in daily life. Individuals with normal hearing can communicate effectively and fulfill all their social roles (such as in education and family) successfully. When hearing loss begins, difficulties in understanding—especially in noisy environments—become apparent.

• Very mild hearing loss: Missing only very few words in noisy environments.
• Mild hearing loss: Difficulty understanding during conversations due to irregular communication.
• Moderate hearing loss: Understanding from closer distances with a limited vocabulary; restrictions in social and educational activities.

At these levels, individuals can generally maintain their self-confidence, but they may experience difficulties in social and role activities. In more advanced levels of hearing loss, hearing aids and environmental supports become increasingly important.

• Moderately severe hearing loss: Even in acoustically favorable environments, understanding only about half of the conversation; speech problems and language delay.
• Severe hearing loss: Inability to hear any speech sounds; difficulties with learning and attention.
• Profound hearing loss: Inability to hear any normal communication sounds; severe language delay and learning difficulties.

At this stage, individuals experience serious social and psychological challenges such as low self-confidence and social isolation. Each level of hearing loss requires specialized rehabilitation strategies tailored to individual needs.

How is Audiologic Rehabilitation Implemented with Various Approaches?

The audiologic rehabilitation process encompasses various treatment methods for individuals with hearing loss. The psychosocial counseling provided during this process helps patients and their families understand hearing loss. Support is provided regarding the patients’ attitudes toward hearing. Another important component of rehabilitation is amplification methods.

• Technological equipment
• Hearing aids
• Cochlear implants
• Group amplification devices
• Other assistive listening devices

Patients are informed about the use, maintenance, and coordination of each device in various situations. Communication training is also part of rehabilitation. In this training, strategies are taught to improve communication situations, and listening skills are developed through auditory-visual training and other activities. Additionally, the overall coordination phase of the program benefits from fields such as vocational rehabilitation, social services, psychology, and medicine.

How Do You Recognize Hearing Loss?

Understanding hearing loss is the first step in the rehabilitation process. Every individual experiences hearing loss differently, and a thorough understanding of this condition is critical for effective treatment. The audiologist explains in detail the type and degree of hearing loss. This information helps you better understand why you may have difficulty hearing certain sounds compared to others, or why you sometimes struggle to comprehend what people are saying.

You can also seek assistance from your audiologist to explain the impact of hearing loss on your daily life to your loved ones. This helps your family better understand your hearing experience. Some tools used to facilitate communication include:

What Should You Know About Your Hearing Aid?

Hearing aids enable users to hear certain sounds better. They do not allow you to hear every sound; however, they make it easier to distinguish important sounds in daily life. These devices are indispensable tools for individuals with hearing difficulties. Your audiologist will explain in detail the capacity and functions of your hearing aid, so that you can learn what it can do and its limitations.

• Regular maintenance of your hearing aid helps to preserve its performance over time.
• You can receive support from your audiologist to resolve any issues related to your device.

How Do You Hear Again?

Individuals with hearing loss rediscover their former senses during the audiologic rehabilitation process. Hearing aids and cochlear implants play a major role in this process. Under the guidance of a trained audiologist, participants develop their ability to recognize and understand various sounds. Hearing rehabilitation provides critical support in adapting to these new sounds and making sense of them. The methods used during the rehabilitation process include:

• Effective use of hearing aids/implants,
• Techniques for distinguishing environmental sounds,
• Speech perception exercises.

What are the Assistive Hearing Technologies?

In the process of audiologic rehabilitation, various assistive technologies, in addition to hearing aids, play a crucial role. These technologies help individuals with hearing loss overcome the challenges they encounter in daily life. Here are some of these devices:

• TV listening devices
• Personal FM systems
• Microphones
• Telephone amplifiers

Each is specifically designed for different situations. For example, TV listening devices deliver television sound directly to the user’s hearing aid, providing a clear listening experience. Personal FM systems direct the speaker’s voice straight to the hearing aid even in noisy environments. Microphones amplify the sound to make conversations more understandable, and telephone amplifiers increase the volume during phone calls to facilitate communication.

How are Visual Cues Used?

In the process of audiologic rehabilitation, individuals with hearing difficulties enhance their communication skills by using visual cues. This technique is vital for those who struggle to hear sounds. Rehabilitation not only improves lip-reading skills but also enhances the ability to interpret facial expressions and body language. Here are some key components of this process:

Lip Reading:

• Recognizing words and sounds by watching the movements of the lips.
• Predicting speech output from mouth movements.

Facial Expressions:

• Understanding a person’s emotions from their facial expressions.
• Deciphering the subtext of messages through facial expressions.

Body Language:

• Collecting supportive cues from the conversation by observing body movements.
• Assessing a person’s overall emotional state from their gestures and posture.

What are the Effective Ways of Communication?

Effective communication techniques are of great importance in the hearing rehabilitation process. These techniques facilitate social interactions for individuals with hearing loss. In addition to hearing aids and other devices, strategies that can be implemented in daily life are developed:

When Communicating:

• Ensure that the person you are speaking with faces you; this enables lip reading.
• Ask the speaker to get your attention; this prepares you for sudden sounds.
• Encourage clear speech rather than speaking loudly.

Arranging the Home Environment:

• Rearrange furniture for acoustic improvement.
• Enhance your field of vision by increasing lighting.
• Add elements that reduce noise, such as carpets.

Communication Outdoors:

• Sit in areas away from noise that are suitable for visual communication.
• A face-to-face seating arrangement facilitates the use of visual cues.