Jon-o-lantern

Adventures in Hearing, Wednesday Edition:

I use my phone app to turn off my HAs (hearing aids) when I'm in the parking garage because of all the loud mechanical noises. I get into my office, put my things away, take my seat and open my laptop. Zoom tells me that it's using my hearing aids for audio, and off I go, greeting my first client for telehealth.

1/2

#HearingAids #Deaf #HardOfHearing

Oct 9 at 1:26amWeb
Show threadJon-o-lanternOct 9

I notice two things immediately: first, the client's voice is crystal clear, like, suspiciously clear, and second, when I talk, I can't hear myself, which is weird, because that only happens when my HA's aren't .... on....oh shit I never turned my HA's back on!

Lesson: if I turn my HA's off with the app, it's essentially just silencing the microphone; the bluetooth capacity still operates! This is going to become a super power for me.

2/2

#HearingAids #Deaf #HardOfHearing

Show threadGogglesOct 9

@jkirkendall

Interesting.

But how will this be a superpower? I didn't follow that step.

Show threadJon-o-lanternOct 9
@PKYo It feels like it gives me more options in terms of how much I have to hear. I can imagine a scenario at a noisy airport where I can turn the HA's off on my phone and stream a movie on my laptop, hearing only the movie soundtrack through the HAs.
Show threadGogglesOct 9

@jkirkendall

Selective hearing! 🤣

It might be similar to noise-cancelling headphones, but subtle.

There's nothing subtle about a pair of enormous headphones covering your ears. If your hearing aids (HAs) are more discrete, that would definitely give you an advantage.

I wonder, … on arriving at work with your HAs still switched off to protect you from loud mechanical noises in the garage, do people try to speak to you before your HAs get switched back on—if only to wish you a good morning?

Show threadJon-o-lanternOct 9
@PKYo I was the first one in and didn't run into anyone, but it definitely would have clued me in!
Show threadForest FernOct 9
@jkirkendall Truly amazing technology. Enjoying tailoring your super powers as you navigates places and people.
Show threadalysonsee 🌻Oct 9
@jkirkendall Out of curiosity, if you are doing telehealth, then why bother going into an office?
Show threadJon-o-lanternOct 9
@alysonsee The next client was in person!
Show threadalysonsee 🌻Oct 9
@jkirkendall What’s the proportion of in-person vs telehealth for you? Do you think folks simply got comfortable with telehealth during COVID, and it’s now a preferred option?
Show threadJon-o-lanternOct 9
@alysonsee I would say about a 1/3 are telehealth, 1/3 in person, and 1/3 are a mix - often starting with in person then moving to telehealth. I'm only in my office three days a week, and kind of need to do the math to see if it still makes sense to pay the $1500/month. On the other hand, with Scott working from home, it's really nice to have a space out of the house that's mine. It also gives us a parking spot for downtown errands!
Show threadalysonsee 🌻Oct 9

@jkirkendall With some folks preferring telehealth, have you started taking non-local clients?

I love remote work. I haven’t been in an office for 5 1/2 years, which was 2 jobs ago. But it does mean EVERYTHING happens at home. Because of this, I think I would prefer therapy to happen somewhere else. I would need the change of venue in order to prepare my mind for a change of perspective. Especially for stuff like dream work.

Show threadJon-o-lanternOct 9
@alysonsee Yes - it's given me and my clients a lot of flexibility!