It’s Not Just Chit-Chat
I typically dislike euphemisms. For an excellent primer on how euphemisms can subtly change the meaning and impact of language, look at the late, great George Carlin’s brilliant comedic essay on how “shell shock” eventually became “PTSD”. His point is that euphemistic language can sometimes soften and “tame” difficult concepts. Perhaps we would do well…
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… Where Often is Heard a Discouraging Word: MDs and Treatment for Hearing Loss
In a recent talk to a group of hearing care providers, I took an informal poll, asking what were some of the most discouraging things their patients had reported being told by their physician regarding their hearing. I knew what the results would be, having heard very disappointing things from scores of patients myself, over…
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Do I Infantilize My Patients?
infantilize /inˈfantilīz/ – verb – to treat (someone) as a child or in a way that denies their maturity in age or experience. Infantalize is not a pleasant word. It conjures condescension and patronization, neither of which does any clinical caregiver wish to be guilty. There can be a fine line between condescension and explaining…
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The Verbose Patient
In my work, one question that comes up on a regular basis is, “How do I deal with the patient who hijacks the appointment by dominating conversation?” If you have been around for a while, you know what they mean. This is the patient who talks to the point that little or nothing can be…
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Audiology and the Wisdom of Jeb Blount
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series of articles will be dedicated to the wisdom of Jeb Blount, author of People Buy You (2010, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), which is available wherever books or e-books are sold. I would recommend it highly. –Paul Teie, MS Myth: People Buy from People They Like…
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The Terminally Ill Patient
One of the sadder aspects of laboring in a profession in which long-term therapeutic and personal relationships are often formed is that we all-too-often experience the passing of patients who have become our friends as well. On other occasions, patients may come to us for the first time, having recently received a poor prognosis. We…
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