When we talk with you about hearing aids we will assess all your needs, taking into consideration not only the style and type that will best benefit your hearing loss, but also the type of communication environment that you are in on a daily basis and the size of hearing aids that you will feel comfortable wearing. Although obtaining hearing aids is not a difficult process, it will require several appointments with your audiologist.
What are the steps to obtaining hearing aids?
Step 1: Audiological Evaluation (hearing test)
The audiological evaluation takes approximately one hour and will be completed by a licensed audiologist, a specialist in the identification and non-medical treatment of hearing loss. We will use state-of-the-art testing to determine your type and degree of hearing loss and its impact on your ability to communicate. The audiologist will always thoroughly explain the test results with you and answer any questions you may have. Yearly audiological evaluations are often recommended for monitoring purposes.
Step 2 : Consultation
Either as a part of the Audiological Evaluation (Step 1), or as a separate appointment, we will provide a thorough consultation. During the consultation, we will explain your test results and discuss recommendations to address your hearing loss and individual communication needs. If hearing aids are recommended, we will talk with you about the types and styles of hearing aids that would be most appropriate for your hearing loss, and address your communication needs. If you decide to get hearing aids at this point, we will make a mold of your ear(s) so that the aids or ear molds can be custom-made.
Step 3: Medical Clearance
The Food and Drug Administration states that it is in your best interest to be evaluated by a physician prior to being fit with a hearing aid, to be sure that your hearing loss cannot be treated medically or surgically. We will provide you with a medical clearance form that you may take to your physician, or we can mail it to your physician with a copy of your test results. Individuals over the age of 18 have a right to waive this medical evaluation if they wish, by signing a waiver form at the hearing aid fitting.
Step 4: Hearing Aid Fitting
Approximately two weeks after your evaluation/consultation, you will be scheduled for a hearing aid fitting. This appointment will take 1 to 1 ½ hours. We will verify the physical fit of the hearing aids to assure they are comfortable and we will program the aids to meet your specific listening needs. We will also discuss care and maintenance, battery use, insertion and removal, safety issues and the hearing aid warranty coverage. You will be given a packet of information to take home with you that reviews the hearing aid use and maintenance. There is a “right-to-return” period, which begins on the day of the hearing aid fitting, to assure proper benefit with the hearing aids.
Step 5: Follow-Up Visits
You will be scheduled for at least one or two follow-up appointments. This will allow you to experience wearing the hearing aids in your natural surroundings, and then provide your audiologist with feedback so that the settings can be "fine-tuned," if necessary. Additional testing will be completed to assure proper amplification and benefit. It is important to keep in mind that adjusting to wearing hearing aids does not happen overnight-it usually takes a few weeks of consistent use to become accustomed to them. As you continue to wear them, your listening needs may change slightly, so attending all of your follow-up appointments is crucial for success with hearing aids.