Professional Communication in Audiology

Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD, is a Senior Staff Audiologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Brad A. Stach, PhD, is Head of Division of Audiology in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery with Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan.

Chapter 1: Introduction What's the big deal? Who decides? Employer guidelines Third-party providers Accrediting bodies (JCAHO) The professional Privacy and other Considerations HIPPA Electronic Medical Records Chapter 2: Principles for Communication Have a plan Know what your goals are Know who you are communicating to Get the order right Begin at the end Choose the right words Consistent terminology Make it clear and concise Emphasize the important Chapter 3: Talking Talking to patients and family members Gathering Information: The patient history Goals Information to Gather Primary Complaint Hearing Problems Hearing device use Tinnitus Pain, fullness, pressure Ear surgery Ear infections Dizziness Family history Noise exposure Medications Illnesses or Medical Conditions For Children: Speech and Language Development Physical Development Special Services School Performance Pregnancy and Birth History Outcome of Newborn Hearing Screening and Subsequent Hearing Tests Providing Information: Communicating results and counseling Focus on the patient perspective Goals Help the patient understand the nature and degree of hearing loss Type of hearing loss Degree of hearing loss Help the patient understand the effect of their hearing loss on communication Communication challenges resulting from hearing loss Make sure the patient understands the next steps to be taken Physician referral Audiologic (re)habilitation candidacy Talking to other professionals Goals Diagnostic outcomes versus diagnosis Lines of reporting and referrals Chapter 4: Writing Introduction Documentation versus reporting Hearing Test Results Goals Information to Convey Case History Middle Ear Function Sample Terminology Type of Hearing Loss Sample Terminology Degree and Configuration of Hearing Loss Sample Terminology Speech Audiometric Results Sample Terminology Change in Hearing Status Sample Terminology Site of Disorder Sample Terminology Recommendations Sample Terminology Reporting "No response" Reporting reliability Emphasize the important Electrophysiology Results Goals Information to Include Auditory Processing Testing Results Goals Information to Include Progress Notes Goals Information to Include Supplemental Material Appendices Report Templates Audiogram Example ABR Example APD Example Case Histories (general and detailed/specialty)