subject: Need A Hearing Aid? The Steps To Take When Buying Auditory Equipment [print this page] You have never had to shop for a hearing aid before, but now, here you are. Where do you get started? You may uncertain about what you need to do.
Purchasing a device to improve your hearing is not the same as purchasing an item such as a new television or a new computer. You cannot just walk into a store, pick out what you want, and walk out of the store with your purchase. There is planning involved and steps that need to be taken.
A hearing aid is a pricey piece of electronic equipment that needs to be adjusted accordingly before it can be worn. There is no one size fits all for auditory devices as they are custom adjusted as well as custom molded for the wearer. You have to know what amplification level is right for you when you shop for hearing equipment. This is something that your hearing care practitioner will be able to assist you with.
Visit a qualified hearing care center to shop for a hearing aid that is suited to your individual needs. Do not buy such a specialized health care item through the internet, the television or through a mail order catalogue. It could do more harm than good and is likely to be a waste of your money. There are services necessary for the aid you choose. These services include testing, fitting and the care that follows.
You want to have a satisfactory experience when shopping for your auditory device. How do you make that happen?
Have your ears carefully examined first by your primary care physician or an ear specialist. You want to rule out any underlying medical condition that might be causing your hearing impairment.
After a thorough exam, the doctor will be able to rule out the need for any type of medical treatment or surgery for your loss of hearing. In less than 10 percent of cases, auditory loss can be treated medically.
Your physician will then be able to provide you with a referral to a hearing care professional that will have the education and experience to fit you with a hearing aid. At this point you will know that the problem that caused your hearing issue cannot be treated in a medical manner.
Check the qualifications and the licensing of the auditory professional that you plan to go to for testing and fitting of a hearing aid. Whether it is an audiologist or an auditory aid specialist, become familiar with the person's credentials before you trust them with your hearing!
Verify that the services you need are the ones that you will get. Call the clinic or office to find out before you book your appointment.
The extent of your auditory loss needs to be determined. This requires a comprehensive hearing exam. Book your hearing screening to learn more about your condition.
Once the test results are, ask for a copy of it as well as a description of what the test showed. From there, aid recommendations can be discussed.
