The audiologist explains a patient's hearing impairment and the function of a hearing aid. This describes which type of counseling?

• A. Informational
• B. Person-centered
• C. Rational-emotive
• D. Directive

Answer: (A)

Providing factual education about the hearing impairment and how a hearing aid works is an example of informational counseling. The clinician’s aim is to convey clear, practical information about the condition, what the device can and cannot do, and what to expect from use. This focus on education and facts helps the patient understand their situation and make informed decisions. In contrast, a person-centered approach would emphasize the patient’s feelings and experiences, rational-emotive therapy would address and restructure beliefs, and directive counseling would push specific instructions without collaborative discussion. So, explaining the impairment and the device’s function best fits informational counseling because the emphasis is on knowledge transfer and setting realistic expectations.