Meg Arnold, Worcester County: Can You Hear Me Now?

My program is an aural rehabilitation workshop for adult individuals dealing with hearing loss. Three in
10 people over age 60 and a staggering 40 to 50% of people over age 75 have a hearing loss (Kochkin,
2012). Twenty-four percent of Worcester Countys year round population of 52,000 is over the age of
65, plus our library system has additional patronage from Delaware and Virginia. Obviously these
statistics indicate there are a number of adults with hearing loss in our community, and this is without
taking into account that 1 in 14 Gen-Xers (ages 29-40) and 1 in 6 baby boomers (ages 41-59) also have
hearing problems (Kochkin, 2012).

I cannot possibly overemphasize the importance of counseling people regarding their hearing loss. Many
people dont make the connection between their quality of life and their hearing difficulties. They
believe their hearing problem might make everyday communication a little more difficult, or it could
cause them some mild embarrassment, but otherwise it isnt a serious concern. In reality, hearing loss
can have a significant negative impact causing depression, anxiety, isolation, and a deterioration of
physical health. In addition, unaddressed hearing loss can hurt the emotional and physical health of the
spouse, affect intimacy, and in extreme cases lead to divorce (National Council on Aging, 2014). An
aural rehabilitation program will educate adults with hearing loss, and their partners, about
communication strategies which will develop into proactive coping strategies. The end objective is that
we reduce the amount of frustration experienced by these individuals, and help them enjoy the pleasures
of life.

I would like to work with Atlantic General Hospital, a local audiologist, and the Worcester County
Commission on Aging. These organizations can support the program through publicity and marketing,
and by referring patients and eligible individuals to the program. In addition, they could loan equipment
(hearing aids and assistive listening devices) for demonstrations, and donate brochures about coping
with hearing loss. Further marketing and publicity would be done on our website, through the Calendar
of Special Events, and via media outlets such as newspapers, radio, and TV. This program would
require very little in the way of additional supplies, other than an a screen for a power point
demonstration, and photocopies of the Goal Sharing for Partners worksheet supplied by the Ida Institute.

The program would be broken into two separate meeting times. In the first session I would briefly
discuss the anatomy and physiology of hearing loss, why people with hearing loss have trouble hearing
in certain situations, and then I would discuss communication strategies. Towards the end, the
individuals with hearing loss and their partners would fill out the Goal Sharing for Partners handout.
Their homework would be to work on their established goals, practice the communication strategies,
and to come prepared to talk about their experiences at the next session. In the second session we would
discuss what worked, what didnt, and ways to improve strategies. I would then discuss assistive
listening devices and hearing aids, do a question and answer session, and provide them with resources
(our partners) in the community. Overall success of the program would be assessed by a quick
questionnaire at the end, asking participants to express if they gained benefit from the program, and if
they have any suggestions for improvement, or any related programming they would like to see.

A program like this would be a benefit to the community and it fits the Worcester County Librarys
mission of promoting reading, thinking, learning, and the enjoyment of the arts. We are providing a
teachable moment and facilitating thought, not to mention promoting health. Finally, in the end, an
individual that has been empowered to cope with a communication difficulty is more apt to participate in
their community, social events, and attend more Worcester County Library programming!

Meg Arnold, Worcester County: Can You Hear Me Now?

References

Kochkin, S. (2012). Prevalence of Hearing Loss. Retrieved from
http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss/prevalence_of_hearing_loss/index.cfm

National Council on Aging. (2014). Hearing Loss: It's a Family Affair. Hearing Loss: It's a Family
Affair. Retrieved May 3, 2014, from http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/community-
education/hearing-loss-its-a-family.html

US Census Bureau. (2010). State & County Quick Facts [Data file]. Retrieved from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24047.html

PRESS RELEASE





TO: Local Media
FROM: Worcester County Library
DATE: May 5, 2014
FOR RELEASE: Immediately
TOPIC: Free Aural Rehabilitation Workshop: Can You Hear Me Now?
CONTACT: Lisa Stant, Program Services Manager, (410) 632-3970 or Meg Arnold, Aud.,
Ocean City Library Assistant Branch Manager, (410) 524-1818


The Worcester County Library, in partnership with Atlantic General Hospital, Chesapeake Hearing, and
the Worcester County Commission on Aging are offering a free, two-part program, Can You Hear Me
Now? This aural rehabilitation workshop will cover the anatomy of the ear, why a person may
experience difficulty hearing in certain situations, coping methods, different technologies that may
help, and resources available in the community.

Ocean City Library Assistant Branch Manager, Meg Arnold, AuD., will discuss everyday communication
strategies. Attendees are encouraged to bring a primary communication partner (spouse, child, or
friend); however, a partner is not required.

For more information, please contact Lisa Stant, Program Services Manager, (410) 632-3970 or Meg
Arnold, Ocean City Library Assistant Branch Manager, (410) 524-1818 or visit the library website,
www.WorcesterLibrary.org.

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