by Mary Frintner, Au.D, FAAA
Hearing Resource Center, Glendale & La Canada

When my husband and I went through the process of adopting our first child we knew no one else who was going through the adoptive process. We felt isolated and alone for a long 16 months while we waited for "the call" that told us we had a daughter.

When we went through the process the second time we quite by chance found a support group for people waiting to adopt. We not only found support and comfort, but we found life long friends and tremendous knowledge. I describe the process as walking through a long dark tunnel. You can do it without any light. It will take you awhile, it is cold and dark, and you will never know what is in that tunnel with you. Or you can do it with the light a support group gives, find that the tunnel is not so cold, that there are others in the tunnel with you, and that the tunnel walls are covered with beautiful drawings. Without the light, you may decide it is too scary or lose your way. With the light, you will find that it is a wonderful journey you are taking with others.

A little over two years ago, I started my own Audiology private practice. After about 6 months I realized that I was taking my hearing aid patients on a trip through that long dark tunnel. Then it dawned on me that I could give them the light that my husband and I found during our adoptive process. I could introduce them to SHHH. For only a $25 membership fee, I could give them the information, support and friendship that would bring them successfully through the long dark tunnel.

Every Audiologist has a plan for their hearing aid delivery appointment. Make sure the hearing aid fits in the patient's ear. Make sure the patient understands how to change the batteries. Make sure the patient can insert and remove the hearing aid independently. Make sure the patient understands how to take care of the hearing aid. Some Audiologist even buy things like dri-aid kits, air blowers, and cleaning cloths to give to their patients to take care of their hearing aids. You will notice that we are very focused on the hearing aid. Oh sure, many audiologists take a few moments to talk to their patients about getting the most out of their hearing aid. However, this is often only if time remains in the appointment.

At some point we have to turn our attention to the patient and away from the instrument. By adding a membership to SHHH to the hearing aid delivery, the Audiologist can give their patients information about being a successful hearing aid user even when time will not allow them to personally give it to them. It is the light in the long, dark tunnel.

What does that SHHH membership bring to each patient--a newsletter. THE SHHH Californian, to inform the patient of local news, local chapter gatherings and events, and information on legislation that affects all people with hearing loss. It brings the SHHH Hearing Loss magazine. The SHHH magazine gives the patient national even sometimes world news about hearing loss. Personal stories about a hearing loss triumph in the SHHH magazine make the patient feel they are not alone and that they can succeed. Questions that the patient may not have asked their Audiologist can be answered through reading the SHHH magazine. And if the patient feels isolated and alone they can go to one of the local SHHH meetings and find many others to share the experience. At the State and National SHHH Conventions, the patient can meet hundreds of hard of hearing people and see assistive listening technology in action. The Exhibit Hall showcases a wealth of listening devices to make understanding easier.

SHHH membership seemed to me to be worth much more than the $25 I was investing. This was my long term investment in the success of my patients.

So I am asking all Audiologists to invest in the success of their patients. I am asking all Audiologists to add SHHH memberships to their hearing aid delivery procedure so that patients can continue to find support and information about hearing loss even when they are not with the Audiologist. It will be a wonderful feeling when the patient comes back to your office for a follow-up and they Thank You over and over for their SHHH membership.

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