Down the Tubes Productions

I recently required a dermatological medical procedure that was made even more unpleasant at the initial intake appointment when I disclosed my hearing loss to the medical team and was met with a blank stare. There was no response, no reaction, no follow-up questions. I was stared at as though I was a curiosity at the zoo. A rare tropical bird with flowing locks and a dimpled smile, perhaps. It was uncomfortable, inappropriate and did not instill confidence in the experience that I required upon my return visit. 

I was pleasantly surprised and wonderfully shocked when I returned to the office for the procedure a few weeks later and was met with a myriad of unrequested but appropriate and useful accommodations. It appeared that my previous visit prompted either deep reflection and a change in practice, or – more likely – an “oh sh*t” reaction. Either way, it spurred change and resulted in effective though unrequested accommodations.

I have compiled a list of the accommodations that seamlessly and appropriately offered to me the day of the procedure: 

• Upon check-in, I reminded the receptionist that I wore two hearing aids and without further prompting she turned towards me and spoke clearly while maintaining eye contact. I requested the restroom and she accompanied the relaying of the location with a gesture in the correct direction. 

• The medical assistant escorted me to the exam room, and while we were walking down the hallway, she turned towards me while she spoke. 

• Upon entry to the examination room, the medical assistant reviewed my information with me and turned the computer screen that she was viewing towards me. She then pointed to each item to help convey meaning so I had both the verbal and text information. This helped immensely with ensuring accuracy of vital information including medications. 

• The doctor performing the procedure entered the room wearing a mask and immediately asked if I could hear her or if she should remove her mask. 

• Prior to the procedure starting, the doctor mentioned that I would have to remove my right hearing aid due to the extraction site being close to the top hook of my hearing aid. She asked if I would be able to hear her with only one hearing aid in for the duration of the procedure. I did not have a confident response because I do not know what I miss while hearing, but fortunately my right ear is worse than my left (though not by much). 
• I laid down on my left side, which still had a hearing aid housed within, which I needed to wear to hear information and directions during the extraction. Unfortunately, when I lay down my hearing aid pressed against the pillow, causing whistling, screeching feedback due to the microphone blockage. A few adjustments were made and I was able to position myself in a way that minimized discomfort for me, but at an optimal angle for the dermatologist to access the removal site on my scalp.

• For the duration of the procedure, the medical assistant came and stood to my left and relayed information from the doctor to ensure that I was hearing and receiving all pertinent information as the procedure was performed. The medical assistant did not wear a mask which allowed for ease of speechreading.

• Immediately following the procedure, the dermatologist walked around to the side of the bed where I needed to remain lying while the medical assistant cleaned the ejection site. She removed her mask and related what the medical assistant was doing while answering any questions I may have had. 

• All of the after care information was shared with me both verbally and in writing without my needing to request it specifically. I was told to either call the office or email them directly through the patient portal with any questions or concerns during the healing process.I appreciated that they did not automatically default to offering only a phone call. 

I applaud this practice for their response to my disclosure of my hearing loss at my initial appointment. The time, consideration, and accommodations they put in place for me upon my return visit were appropriate and presented in a way that was very “matter of fact” and routine, as if these were things they have been doing automatically. I did not feel as though I was a burden or that these things were being “overdone” to make up for any ableist guilt they may have felt from my initial appointment. I sincerely hope that this experience brings normalization for the implementation of accommodations for other patients and their individual needs. 

In closing, this reaffirms for me the importance of self-disclosure and asking for what is required in every situation. 

The environment adapts for me, not the other way around.