by Donna M. Stewart, HEAR Central Saanich –
Hearing loss can be a tricky thing, often coming on so slowly you don’t realize it’s happening. Over the years the birds fade away, song by song; the television gets turned up, notch by notch; and you start avoiding situations where you know you won’t be able to hear well, gathering by gathering. Eventually, your quality of life becomes effected to the extent that you realize you can’t ignore your hearing loss anymore.
The good news is that hearing loss is well understood and there is an abundance of help available to you. The sooner you take action, the better your long-term results, so let’s get you headed in the right direction.
Start with a hearing test. The audiologist will complete a thorough medical history and take you through a series of tests to evaluate specific functions of your auditory system. If your hearing loss is potentially medically or surgically treatable, you will be referred to your physician and possibly on to an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist). If you are a good candidate for amplification, hearing aids will be recommended.
Be a smart shopper. Don’t be swayed by marketing that’s intended to make you feel you need to act fast (i.e. “30 people needed … “) or by deals that seem too good to be true (“$1,000 Off This Month Only”).
Request a hearing aid demonstration. I often say that hearing, like taste, is a sense. Some people like sweet, while others prefer savory. With hearing, smooth round sounds might be pleasing to some, whereas sharp crisp sounds are the choice for others. The best way to know what type of sound processing you will prefer is to listen and compare. Your audiologist will ascertain communication priorities and narrow down her recommendations based on your lifestyle, hearing loss, aesthetic preferences and budget. You can listen to appropriate hearing aids in a simulated noise environment, such as a restaurant or pub, and decide what sounds best to you. If you’re ready, proceed with a hearing aid trial.
A proper fit is vital. The most expensive hearing aids in the world won’t benefit you if they aren’t properly adjusted for your hearing. It takes time to verify the hearing aids are meeting your prescribed requirements, but it is probably the most important step in the whole process. Once you’ve been trained on hearing aid “care and feeding” you’ll sent out into the world of sound.
Take full advantage of the trial period. Most hearing clinics offer a 90-day trial period. During this time, your job is to wear the hearing aids in your everyday life and report back to your audiologist every couple of weeks. Adjustments are made during those three months and at the end of the trial, you can choose to keep the hearing aids, try something else, or return them for a refund.
Most clinics include services and adjustments for the life of the hearing aids – about five years – and your audiologist is as invested in your success as you are. Let her know if you have any problems and give her the opportunity to rectify them.
Recent studies show that hearing aid wearer satisfaction levels continue to increase as hearing aids become more user friendly and technologically advanced. It is possible to take the effort out of hearing so you can get back to enjoying life. The first step is a test.
For more information, visit www.hearcentralsaanich.com.
