Counselling Hearing Counselling Hearing Loss Individuals and Loss Individuals and

Their Significant OthersTheir Significant Others

A Program of Counselling CoachingA Program of Counselling Coaching

and Psychology and Psychology

Vincent J LittleVincent J Little

Hearing Loss is an Issue for Hearing Loss is an Issue for the Hard of Hearing and every the Hard of Hearing and every person with whom they come person with whom they come

into contactinto contact• In Australia, Hearing Loss affects one in six In Australia, Hearing Loss affects one in six

people over the age of 15 yearspeople over the age of 15 years

• Over the age of 62 one in two people areOver the age of 62 one in two people are

affected by HLaffected by HL

• It is suggested that HL costs almost It is suggested that HL costs almost $12 billion p.a. $12 billion p.a.

• People in the 18-25 age group (and maybe People in the 18-25 age group (and maybe younger) are suffering HL due to loud musicyounger) are suffering HL due to loud music

Federal Government Federal Government InitiativesInitiatives

• Rehab Plus was introduced in Jan 2008Rehab Plus was introduced in Jan 2008

• It is aimed at assisting clients to acquire It is aimed at assisting clients to acquire and apply skills to maximize their and apply skills to maximize their communication abilities and better communication abilities and better manage their HLmanage their HL

• The underlying aim is to assist clients to The underlying aim is to assist clients to maximize the use of Gov subsidized maximize the use of Gov subsidized Hearing Aids Hearing Aids

An Evolving Counselling An Evolving Counselling FrameworkFramework

• Coaching, Counselling and PsychologyCoaching, Counselling and Psychology

• There are multiple ways of There are multiple ways of understanding the worldunderstanding the world

• It is a matter of finding what fits bestIt is a matter of finding what fits best

Hearing Loss Clients Hearing Loss Clients Setting Goals and Setting Goals and

StrategiesStrategies

An Evolving Counselling An Evolving Counselling FrameworkFramework

• A client centered approach with strong A client centered approach with strong emphasis on involving Significant emphasis on involving Significant OthersOthers

• SOs are interactively engaged with a SOs are interactively engaged with a program of Experiential Learningprogram of Experiential Learning

• Rehabilitation has better outcomes Rehabilitation has better outcomes when SOs are involvedwhen SOs are involved

• Conclusions:Conclusions:

• Achieving change for the desired Achieving change for the desired outcomes in this client group lies in a outcomes in this client group lies in a clear understanding of what is clear understanding of what is happening in the world of Hearing Losshappening in the world of Hearing Loss

• Positive outcomes are better achieved Positive outcomes are better achieved through the involvement of Significant through the involvement of Significant OthersOthers

An Evolving Counselling An Evolving Counselling FrameworkFramework

Experiencing Hearing Loss Experiencing Hearing Loss Through Experiential Through Experiential

LearningLearning

The Focus of Hearing The Focus of Hearing Loss WorkshopsLoss Workshops

• To help the Hard of Hearing and To help the Hard of Hearing and their SOs to develop the mutual their SOs to develop the mutual coping skills and strategies that coping skills and strategies that will enhance their relationship; will enhance their relationship; thus producing better outcomes.thus producing better outcomes.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge on this topicexperiences and knowledge on this topic

Vince LittleVince Little

Counselling Hearing Counselling Hearing Loss Individuals and Loss Individuals and

Their Significant OthersTheir Significant Others