You did it! You finally gave in to the pleas from your family and friends and got your hearing tested. To no one’s surprise, your Tucson audiologist confirmed through a series of hearing tests that you do in fact have hearing loss; they also confirmed that you would benefit from the use of a hearing aid.
There are six major styles and a number of top-level manufacturers to choose from. Your hearing lifestyle, budget and desired additional features will also be taken into consideration. Once you and your audiologist decide on the right device for you, the hearing aid can be ordered.
Counseling
Going from living with hearing loss to using hearing aids can be a dramatic change. That is why your Tucson audiologist will sit down with you to discuss realistic expectations.
Many individuals think hearing aids are like glasses: all you have to do is put them on and you’ll be back to normal. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Putting on hearing aids will expose you to sounds you have not heard for some time; this can lead to individuals becoming overwhelmed. Understanding what to expect from the process is crucial for long-term success.
From there, you worked with your audiologist to figure out the best hearing aid for your type and degree of hearing loss. The order was placed and that’s the end of it, right? Wrong.
Real Ear Measure
About two weeks after you make your purchase, your hearing aid will arrive. Your audiologist will input all the information gathered during the original hearing evaluation into the programming computer.
To make sure these settings are correct, a Real Ear Measure will be performed. This test measures how loud sounds are in your ear canal.
This test involves placing a tube in your ear canal. The tube is connected to a microphone that sits outside of your ear to measure the volume of the sound before it is processed by the hearing aid.
Your hearing aid will then be placed into your ear. A series of tones will be played, ranging from soft to very loud.
The results from this test are able to confirm that the soft sounds are being adequately amplified and the very loud sounds are not exceeding your discomfort level.
Fitting
Next comes the fitting of your hearing aid. This is important as it ensures your devices are programmed to the optimum setting for your specific hearing loss.
Your local audiologist will also confirm the actual fit of the devices, making sure they are comfortable. The devices will then be placed in your ear and turned on; this allows your audiologist to measure the volume of sound coming from the hearing aid to make sure you are hearing the full range of sounds properly.Â
You will then be presented with a lot of information on how to properly care for and maintain your hearing aids. You will also learn how to make any necessary adjustments for different hearing environments, insert and remove them and change the batteries. Your audiologist will also teach you some strategies and tips so you can communicate better.
Care Instructions
Once your hearing aid has been properly programmed, your audiologist will explain everything you need to know. This is the part where you try not to become overwhelmed, as it will seem like a lot of information is being given to you all at once. Never fear; once you get used to the hearing aid most of these tasks will become second nature.
Your audiologist will have you practice inserting the hearing aid into your ear and then safely removing it as well as removing and replacing the battery. Proper care will be discussed and you will learn how to complete a listening test.
The final step of the hearing aid fitting is scheduling a follow-up visit. You will be asked to return to your audiologist’s office in a few weeks. These follow-up visits are needed to complete any fine-tuning or adjustment that may be needed.
Follow-Up Visits
The final step of the hearing aid fitting process is to schedule the first of many follow-up visits. Your first visit will be scheduled a few weeks after you receive your hearing aid. At this visit, your Tucson audiologist will adjust and fine-tune your device to make sure it is working as it should. They will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
Just as we mentioned before, getting used to a hearing aid takes time. But if you put in the effort, you will see your quality of life improve and be able to reconnect with the people and things you once loved. Contact your Tucson audiologist to get started today.