subject: Hearing Aid Guide - Getting It Right [print this page] When you are shopping for a hearing aid you want to choose one that will provide comfort and improved hearing. Here are some ways you can zero in on the most suitable device for your ears.
Take A Friend
Do not go to your examination by yourself. Bring along your spouse, a family member or a close friend. This is an important step in your life, and for your health, that you should not be done alone. Not only do you need moral support, but the other person may also remember certain things that you will not.
Interview You Specialist
The value that you obtain from a device is based to a certain extent on the abilities and the skills of the hearing care provider. This is why interviewing the professional makes a difference. You want to feel confident that you are dealing with a specialist who is well qualified.
Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists both require licenses to sell auditory devices, but the former hold either a master's degree or a doctoral degree in audiology. It would be good practice to seek referrals from professionals in the health care field. You can turn your attention to the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for further information.
Set Priorities
Know what your priorities are for a hearing aid before you book an appointment with an auditory specialist. As a new patient you may be asked, "What do you wish the aid to do for you?" Have an answer before you go. The specialist will be better able to assist you in finding the appropriate style and technology if you can clearly explain your priorities.
Get Tested Early
Many people who visit audiologist have been experiencing problems with their hearing for a number of years. It is not uncommon for an individual to wait as many as five to seven years to make the decision that the time has come to get an exam and become a hearing aid user. The worse the auditory loss is, the more difficult it is for the brain to adjust to what has occurred. This is why acting as soon as you think you may have a loss of hearing is so important. Waiting does nothing but put off the inevitable.
Be Prepared
Get your hearing tested to determine if it has been affected. During a visit to a hearing specialist, you will be administered a hearing test in a soundproof booth. The results let the audiologist know what kind of loss you are suffering from. Once this information is known, the auditory equipment can be programmed specifically to fit you.
Not every device will fit every patient or every degree of auditory loss. These assistive instruments must be custom-made and require a face-to-face visit. It is not wise to purchase one from a big box retail store or online.
