Hearing Aid Consultation And Selection
If you are interested in improving your hearing and in knowing whether hearing devices would benefit you, you would schedule an appointment for a Hearing Evaluation and Hearing Device Consultation with the audiologist.
Will hearing devices benefit me?
This is the first step in your journey toward better hearing. At this visit you will complete a questionnaire to let us know the history of your hearing problems, to let us know more about where you are having difficulty hearing and to determine how much your hearing difficulties are impacting your day-to-day life, as well as those around you. We will discuss with you your Hearing Health History, ask you questions about when and how your hearing problems started, ask you whether you have any ringing or other sounds in your ears (tinnitus) and whether you experience any dizziness. You may also need to provide some basic information about your general health history and any medications you are taking. Some medications are known to cause hearing problems, so this step is important in knowing what may be impacting your hearing. You may be referred to a medical doctor specializing in disorders of the ear, if it is suspected that you may have a medical condition should be addressed first.
Results and Benefits
The results from your hearing test provide the audiologist an outline of which sounds you are hearing and which sounds you are missing, but the personal answers you give us about your daily life, and your own perception of your hearing ablities, are equally important in providing you with a treatment plan that is personalized to your communication needs.
If your hearing test reveals a hearing loss, hearing devices may be recommended for one or both ears. Making sure you hear speech clearly is our main concern, so we will explain what sounds in speech you are missing and give you realistic expectations of what hearing devices can do to improve your hearing and to make speech clear. It is usually at this appointment that you will be able to see and touch different styles of hearing instruments. In some cases, you may even be able to participate in a listening demonstration and/or even take a demo set home. Your audiologist will help you choose the best device based on technology, style, ease of use, lifestyle needs, reliability, cosmetic appeal and cost. The final decision on which hearing devices to purchase is yours, but we will be there to guide you in the process.
Once you make a decision, the devices will be ordered. The audiologist may need to take impressions of your ears if you selected custom hearing aids or custom earmolds for behind-the-ear hearing devices. If custom products or earmolds are ordered from the manufacturer, the process can take a couple of weeks, so do not be disappointed if you do not receive your hearing devices on the same day as your evaluation.