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Rather a Small Chicken...: A guide to hearing loss for family and friends
With 1 in 6 Australians diagnosed with a hearing impairment, and many more interacting daily with someone who is hearing impaired, the chances of miscommunication are high. Such problematic communication impacts on relationships at home and in the workplace.
Hearing aid companies supply simple 'how-to' brochures for new hearing aid wearers. I have added a greater depth of information in my booklet to explain the 'whys' behind the 'how-tos'-- Why does sound change with hearing loss? Why does it take time to learn to use hearing aids? Why can I hear some things perfectly and not others?
With 30 years of hearing impairment, Pamela Heemskerk has collated information from her own and others' experience and compiled a booklet covering the following topics:
an explanation of how hearing loss impacts how we hear sounds the difficulties of hearing loss and some self-help options adjusting to hearing aids and how to get the best from them (in the ear, not in the box!) how families/friends can assist those with hearing impairment tips to reduce the frustration experienced in communication difficulties information for health professionals and those who work with people with hearing loss Safe-guarding against some of the ear problems that can arise from wearing hearing aids This is a short practical booklet for those who want to know more about living with hearing loss.
Hearing aid companies supply simple 'how-to' brochures for new hearing aid wearers. I have added a greater depth of information in my booklet to explain the 'whys' behind the 'how-tos'-- Why does sound change with hearing loss? Why does it take time to learn to use hearing aids? Why can I hear some things perfectly and not others?
With 30 years of hearing impairment, Pamela Heemskerk has collated information from her own and others' experience and compiled a booklet covering the following topics:
an explanation of how hearing loss impacts how we hear sounds the difficulties of hearing loss and some self-help options adjusting to hearing aids and how to get the best from them (in the ear, not in the box!) how families/friends can assist those with hearing impairment tips to reduce the frustration experienced in communication difficulties information for health professionals and those who work with people with hearing loss Safe-guarding against some of the ear problems that can arise from wearing hearing aids This is a short practical booklet for those who want to know more about living with hearing loss.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2015
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 17, 2016
Have you ever been frustrated by a telemarketer, or telephone service person who is difficult to hear and/or understand? Or struggled to hold an intelligent mobile phone conversation with a whisperer in a super-noisy environment? Imagine if every conversation, every day, demanded that level of concentration and/or frustration? And how many of us actually consider the clarity of our own speech and everyday communication style?
I cannot remember a time when my father did not wear hearing aids. For me, having to speak confidently and enunciate clearly was the expected normal, so much so, that even today (I'm a grandparent now) people ask me if I'm from England. When I explain that I am actually a third generation Australian who learned to communicate with a hearing impaired parent, they usually smile and nod. However, the children I went to school with were much more likely to tease me about it.
After reading Pamela Heemskerk's very helpful Guide to Hearing Loss for Family and Friends, I've gained even more insight into the struggles endured (often with great grace) by people with hearing loss - and I'm not new to that scenario. I wish everyone would take the time to read this little booklet - not only for the sake of every hearing loss sufferer, but for the sake of their families, friends, colleagues ... and for yourself. I think you'll be glad you did.
Heemskerk's guide is written in a humorous, personable style which encourages as it informs. Her own experiences as a wife, mother, Allied Health professional, work colleague, friend to many and creative writer - who happens to have lived with a long-term hearing impairment - fill the pages with grace and optimism, releasing gentle wisdom and helpful insight which I'm sure will benefit every reader, regardless of how well their ears work.
Highly recommended. Worth every cent.
I cannot remember a time when my father did not wear hearing aids. For me, having to speak confidently and enunciate clearly was the expected normal, so much so, that even today (I'm a grandparent now) people ask me if I'm from England. When I explain that I am actually a third generation Australian who learned to communicate with a hearing impaired parent, they usually smile and nod. However, the children I went to school with were much more likely to tease me about it.
After reading Pamela Heemskerk's very helpful Guide to Hearing Loss for Family and Friends, I've gained even more insight into the struggles endured (often with great grace) by people with hearing loss - and I'm not new to that scenario. I wish everyone would take the time to read this little booklet - not only for the sake of every hearing loss sufferer, but for the sake of their families, friends, colleagues ... and for yourself. I think you'll be glad you did.
Heemskerk's guide is written in a humorous, personable style which encourages as it informs. Her own experiences as a wife, mother, Allied Health professional, work colleague, friend to many and creative writer - who happens to have lived with a long-term hearing impairment - fill the pages with grace and optimism, releasing gentle wisdom and helpful insight which I'm sure will benefit every reader, regardless of how well their ears work.
Highly recommended. Worth every cent.
December 20, 2017
Rather a Small Chicken .... A Guide to Hearing Loss for Family and Friends by Pamela G Heemskerk packs a lot into a slim booklet. It's a practical, no nonsense, and often humourous look at hearing impairment and the use of hearing aids. It gives practical advice to both those who are experiencing permanent hearing loss and the need for hearing aids for the first time, as well as family and friends of the hearing impaired. One strong message is that while hearing aids help, they don't 'fix' hearing impairment completely— they have both advantages and challenges.
Heemskerk experienced hearing impairment in her twenties. She draws from her own experience as well as the experience of others and research. She writes in a lucid style with flashes of humour. This booklet would be a great resource for those with hearing loss— and those who know someone (friend, family member, work colleague, clients) who suffers significant deafness. Well worth the read.
Heemskerk experienced hearing impairment in her twenties. She draws from her own experience as well as the experience of others and research. She writes in a lucid style with flashes of humour. This booklet would be a great resource for those with hearing loss— and those who know someone (friend, family member, work colleague, clients) who suffers significant deafness. Well worth the read.
October 10, 2019
Rather a Small Chicken : A guide to hearing loss for family and friends by Pamela Heemskerk is a useful booklet explaining the difficulties of hearing-impaired people and how hearing aids help but do not restore hearing to normal.
It was interesting to read about Pamela’s experience of wearing hearing aids. While hearing aids increase the volume of the sounds that have diminished in a hearing-impaired person, it can distort some regular sounds. For example, although they can now hear a dog barking, it may sound different from the way it did when their hearing was normal. Some sounds may be uncomfortably loud, especially when hearing aids are new and the person is still getting accustomed to wearing them. I also found it helpful to understand how hearing loss affects a person’s social life and how it can lead to isolation and depression. On pages 21-25 Pam has written a list of helpful tips for hearing people who relate regularly to someone with hearing aids.
Pamela writes in an easy to read style and includes amusing anecdotes of misunderstandings that have occurred due to her hearing loss. It’s from one of these incidents that the booklet derives its name. There is a list of resources, including websites and contact details for support groups at the back of the book.
Overall a useful resource.
It was interesting to read about Pamela’s experience of wearing hearing aids. While hearing aids increase the volume of the sounds that have diminished in a hearing-impaired person, it can distort some regular sounds. For example, although they can now hear a dog barking, it may sound different from the way it did when their hearing was normal. Some sounds may be uncomfortably loud, especially when hearing aids are new and the person is still getting accustomed to wearing them. I also found it helpful to understand how hearing loss affects a person’s social life and how it can lead to isolation and depression. On pages 21-25 Pam has written a list of helpful tips for hearing people who relate regularly to someone with hearing aids.
Pamela writes in an easy to read style and includes amusing anecdotes of misunderstandings that have occurred due to her hearing loss. It’s from one of these incidents that the booklet derives its name. There is a list of resources, including websites and contact details for support groups at the back of the book.
Overall a useful resource.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews