Adult/Teen's Zone: Communicating better at the Doctor's Office- Strategies

Strategies to help cope with the limitations placed on you by your hearing loss at the doctor's office....

SITUATION: Going to the doctor can be a stressful event, especially when you have medical concerns. The names of different conditions and medications are difficult to understand and usually have complicated spelling. Your health and wellness are important, therefore you want to be sure you are getting good care and all your questions answered. Doctors and other health care professionals may ask you questions while looking at your chart or when they have their back to you. This can make it difficult to answer the questions being asked.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

1) Remind your doctor or other health care professional that you have a hearing loss. Explain that sometimes you have difficulty understanding.
2) Bring paper and pen with you. Write down questions that you have about your health and wellness.
3)If the doctor has a diagnosis and treatment plan for you, have the doctor write it down for you.
4)If you do not understand your doctor, ask questions until you understand.
5) If a follow-up appointment is needed, ask the scheduling department to write down the date and time for you.

Blogger: Sarah Helmel