When your audiologist recommends hearing aids, the selection is only the beginning of the process. Equally important is the fitting, which involves programming your hearing aids and making adjustments to provide the correct levels of amplification for your specific type of hearing loss. Counseling ensures that you have realistic expectations and is crucial for long-term success.
What Is Hearing Aid Counseling?
Before you ever start using hearing aids, you’ll receive counseling to prepare you for this change in your lifestyle. While hearing aids will undoubtedly improve your communication abilities, it is essential to understand they are not a cure for hearing loss and have certain limitations. Learning what to expect beforehand helps you achieve the maximum benefit from your devices.
Hearing Aid Evaluation
This evaluation will help the Audiologist determine:
- If a hearing aid(s) is appropriate for you
- A Lifestyle Assessment to best understand your daily hearing environments
- Type of hearing aid(s) best for your lifestyle
- Provide comprehensive counseling to maximize the benefit of your hearing aids
- Effective hearing solutions. Our patient’s safety and health is paramount in our application of technology
How Are Hearing Aids Fitted?
Your audiology specialist or hearing specialist at Certified Hearing Aid Consultants will check the physical fit to make sure your hearing aids are comfortable. They will then be programmed and adjusted based on your hearing loss and lifestyle needs. The hearing aids will be placed in your ears and turned on, which allows your audiologist to measure the volume levels to ensure that you hear the full range of sounds correctly.
Your specialist will then discuss the care and maintenance of your hearing aids. You will learn how to use them correctly, adjust for different hearing environments, insert and remove them, change the batteries and clean and care for them properly. You will also learn tips and strategies for better communication.
What Kind of Follow-Up Care Can I Expect?
Your specialist will schedule a follow-up appointment a few weeks after your initial fitting. During this appointment, your hearing specialist will fine-tune and adjust your hearing aids as needed and answer any questions you may have. It may take a while to adjust your hearing aids to their maximum effectiveness, so additional appointments for adjustments may be needed.
Getting used to your Hearing Aids
Getting used to amplification will take time. Hearing aids cannot restore your hearing to normal, and it may take several weeks or months before you are used to the hearing aids. Consistency and patience with yourself are very important and will help you adjust most quickly. Even your own voice sounds different when you wear hearing aids.Â
Practice using the hearing aids in different environments. Amplification will sound different in a variety of settings. When you are having trouble, go back and see your audiologist for follow-up appointments. Digital hearing aids are adjustable and changes can be made to meet your needs.
Have realistic expectations. Hearing aids will help to increase volume which for most patients will also increase the ability to understand speech, however for some the clarity in their ears is compromised. Even if a sound is loud enough it still many not be clear.
Seek support and stay positive. A willing attitude to practice and the support of family and friends will help your journey be a smooth process.
The success of your hearing aids will be helped by wearing them on a regular basis and taking appropriate care of them. Our overall goal is that, in time, your hearing aids are comfortable and help enhance your ability of hear and communicate as best as possible.
Call Certified Hearing Aid Consultants at (859) 344-4440 for more information or to schedule an appointment.