Why use these resources?
Information Retention
Research shows that people remember about half of the information given at doctor's appointments. It is more difficult to learn while processing a change in your lifestyle. This means it is hard to learn about managing hearing loss when you first find out about a hearing loss.
Free Support at Home
It can be difficult to get to an audiologist. Sometimes there are big problems with simple solutions. For example, a hearing aid may stop doing its job because of a plugged wax guard. This is a quick fix that many people can do at home. Online resources can bring some clinical care to your own home. If you can provide some services from home, you don't need to take the day off work, fill up on gas, or call the babysitter to get your hearing aid working again.
Language Fluency
Everyone has their own experience with language. The resources created here are written for reading at a 6th grade level or lower. Grade level measures are computer calculations. They mainly check the way things are written, not the words that are used. Learning about health can mean using lots of new words. Access Audiology content has been checked by the of University of Iowa writing center to make sure the words are easy to learn from.
Learning Styles
Everyone has their own learning style. People can learn by seeing, reading, listening, and/or doing. Each person prefers to learn in one or many ways to help them remember new information. Research shows that getting health care information in your own learning style leads to more positive outcomes. This website is a place where people can watch, read, listen, and practice.
Cultural Humility
Everyone should get a full understanding of their health care. Sometimes, things get "lost in translation" between two people. These resources were made with an appreciation for differences among cultures. For example, the graphics added to the videos are the most used symbols. This helps explain things more clearly. We want our words and visuals to support and respect everyone. Please give us suggestions in places we can do better. Contact Erin by email (erin-kaufmann@uiowa.edu) or by completing a contact or feedback form on this site.
Education is Empowering
Learning about your hearing gives you autonomy. This means you will be able to make your own well-informed decisions about your hearing care. Research shows that teaching people well about their care will help them meet their goals.
Allies for Accessibility
Our goal is to make content that is easy for everyone to use. This site was made with public guidelines related to font, color, and layout. All videos created by us have open captions. Other videos hosted here have closed captioning available. We are still learning about web design and online accessibility. Please give us suggestions in places we can do better. Contact Erin by email (erin-kaufmann@uiowa.edu) or by completing a contact or feedback form on this site.
Evidence Based
We learn new things every day. The content we create is based on what we know from research. All of our resources are based on the best research out there. We will add things as we learn more. It is our job to take what we know from science and teach you. See the professional research page to learn more about the science. Ask us any questions you have! Contact Erin by email (erin-kaufmann@uiowa.edu) or by completing a contact or feedback form.