Essay 10 - Communication with residents and patients
- Art of Hearing | Dyon Scheijen
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
LFG Handbook
Essay 10
Communication with residents and patients
Listening beyond the sound
Reports of low-frequency sound often begin with an experience. Someone hears a hum, a thud, or a vibration that seems difficult to explain. Sometimes the sound is present mainly at night. Sometimes it seems to be continuously present in the background. In other cases, it only occurs under specific circumstances.
For residents, this experience can be very distressing. When the sound is difficult to explain, uncertainty can arise. People wonder where the sound is coming from, why they are hearing it, and whether it might be harmful.
It is precisely in this phase that communication between professionals and residents plays an important role.
The first step: listening
Before measurements are taken or potential sources are investigated, every process begins with listening.
Listening to residents' stories can yield important information:
• when is the sound perceived
• where in the home is it audible
• how long has the situation been going on
• what impact does the noise have on daily life
In addition, the conversation can provide insight into the context in which the sound is experienced.
Taking this experience seriously forms an important basis for trust between residents and professionals.
The way a conversation is conducted can make a big difference in this regard.
Subtle nuances in communication can determine how a message is received. When a resident feels that his or her experience is being downplayed or doubted, this can lead to distance and mistrust.
Conversely, an open and curious attitude, in which there is room for the resident's story, can contribute to connection and mutual understanding.
Communication is therefore not only about what is said, but also about how people listen and respond.
The tension between experience and measurement
One of the biggest challenges with low-frequency sound is the discrepancy that can sometimes arise between experience and measurement .
When residents experience a distinct sound but measurements provide no clear explanation, this can lead to frustration. Residents may feel that their experience is being questioned.
For professionals, this can also be a difficult situation. They want to carefully remain within the limits of what can be technically determined.
Open communication about this complexity is therefore essential.
It can be helpful to explain that sound sometimes behaves in ways that are difficult to fully measure or localize. At the same time, it can be important to acknowledge that residents' experience is real, even when the cause is not yet fully clear.
Explanation of perception
In conversations with residents, it can sometimes be helpful to explain how sound perception works.
The brain plays an active role in processing sound. Attention, interpretation, and emotional meaning can influence how a sound is experienced.
This explanation must be provided carefully. The goal is not to deny the residents' experience, but to show that sound perception is a complex process in which multiple factors play a role.
Models such as The Hearing Triptych can help to provide insight into this complexity.
The Glass of Lebensakzeptanz in conversation
The Glass of Life Acceptance model can also be a useful tool in conversations with residents.
The model demonstrates that the impact of a sound is determined not only by the sound itself, but also by the broader context of a person's life.
By looking together at factors that fill the glass—such as stress, sleep, or other concerns—the conversation can shift from a one-sided focus on the sound to a broader understanding of the situation.
For many people, this can help them better place their experience.
Respect for uncertainty
With low-frequency sound, professionals sometimes have to deal with uncertainty. Not every situation can be fully explained.
Acknowledging this uncertainty can actually contribute to trust.
When professionals are open about what is and is not known, space is created for an honest conversation about possible next steps.
Seeking solutions together
Communication with residents is ultimately not only about analysis, but also about seeking possible solutions.
Sometimes a technical solution can be found, for example when a specific source is identified. In other situations, it can help to pay attention to factors such as sleep, stress, or coping strategies.
Combining different perspectives can often lead to a broader approach.
Listening beyond the ear
The title of this essay refers to a broader idea: hearing is not just about sound.
It is also about listening to people .
When professionals listen to residents' experiences, space for understanding is created. When residents notice that their story is taken seriously, this can contribute to trust.
In situations where technology, perception, and human experience converge, this form of listening is perhaps the most important step.
A concluding thought
Low-frequency sound demonstrates how complex sound perception can be. It brings together physics, neurophysiology, psychology, and human experience.
Understanding this complexity requires collaboration between disciplines, but also openness in the dialogue with residents.
When technical analysis is combined with attention to human experience, a perspective emerges in which both science and humanity find a place.
Hearing is so much more than just the ears. It requires listening to sound, to the brain, and above all to the human being.
Literature
Leventhall, H.G. (2004). Low frequency noise and annoyance. Noise & Health.
Ostendorf, C. (2009). How to find the source of low frequency noise: three case studies. Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control.
Jastreboff, P. J. (1990). Phantom auditory perception (tinnitus): mechanisms of generation and perception. Neuroscience Research.
Cima, RFF, et al. (2012). Specialized treatment based on cognitive behavioral therapy versus usual care for tinnitus. The Lancet.
Vlaeyen, JWS, & Linton, SJ (2000). Fear-avoidance and its consequences in chronic pain. Pain.
Scheijen, D. (2026). The Hearing Triptych.
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