Hearing loss in adults is associated with social isolation and increased risk of anxiety and depression. Aural rehabilitation programs can combat these issues by helping patients improve communication and continue participating in the activities important to them.

Despite their benefits, aural rehabilitation programs are relatively rare. A group of PHHP audiology students recently demonstrated that with minimal resources, providers can offer meaningful aural rehabilitation training for their patients.

After learning about aural rehabilitation in a class, Amanda Prozeralik, a third-year Doctor of Audiology student in the department of speech, language, and hearing sciences, wanted to put what she learned into action. She consulted with Hollea Ryan, Ph.D., Au.D., UF PHHP audiology program director, to formulate a plan.

“Aural rehabilitation programs are known to provide useful training and confidence-building for attendees; however, due to a lack of reimbursement, and busy schedules, most clinics don’t offer much, if any, aural rehabilitation for their patients,” Ryan said.

Under the guidance of Ryan, Al Turri, Au.D., director of audiology at The Villages Health, and Emily Gaines, Au.D., UF PHHP coordinator of clinical education, Prozeralik and fellow members of the UF Student Academy of Audiology developed a six-week aural rehabilitation course for The Villages Health’s patients. Topics included communication strategies, clear speech methods, stress reduction techniques, tinnitus, hearing assistive technology, hearing protection, self-advocacy and travel tips.

“Though it was a small group each week, I think this helped encourage our participants to open up about their experiences,” Prozeralik said. “I was pleasantly surprised to find this out, as I believe it impacted our participants for the better, through providing validation of the struggles they experience and finding comradery in others who experience the same things.”

Comments like these from participants have motivated the team to continue to provide aural rehabilitation for more area patients.

“It was truly beneficial that this class was offered in my area,” a participant said. “In the beginning, I was frustrated and overwhelmed with my hearing loss. I now know there is lots of technology and support groups to improve my situation, both physically (hearing devices) and mentally with emotional support (in my area and online). I’m now more accepting and optimistic for the future of hearing loss being led by these passionate new audiologists!”