Getting the Most Out of Your New Hearing Aids

One size does not fit all when it comes to getting hearing aids. Not at all. You’ll need to work closely with your hearing care professional throughout the process, starting with your hearing test to evaluating all of your options, getting fitted and learning to adjust to your hearing aids at home. This guide will help you know what to expect when you get new hearing aids.

Before your first appointment

Before your first appointment, make a list of questions you want to ask. During this appointment, you’ll have your hearing tested by a hearing care professional, evaluate your level of hearing loss and discuss whether or not hearing aids are a necessity at this time. Some of the questions you’ll need to ask include: Start with these questions and feel free to add your own: What sort of hearing loss do I have: mild, moderate, severe, or profound? Would hearing aids help me? Do I need them for both ears, or just one? Which hearing aid is best for my needs? How can I balance features with cost? What options do I have for financing my hearing aids? (Private insurance, credit arrangements, state programs, etc.)

At your appointment

Hearing aids may not be required if the results of your hearing test come back normal. Nevertheless, you’ll have a baseline test to compare future hearing tests. If your hearing test indicates that you do, indeed, suffer from some level of hearing loss, you may benefit from hearing aids. Your hearing care professional will review your options with you. There are several things you need to consider when purchasing hearing aids. Make sure you discuss these areas: Programmability – most hearing aids these days are both digital and programmable. That means your hearing care professional can and should be able to program them to address your particular hearing needs. Be warned: if someone tries to sell you a hearing instrument without a proper fitting and adjustment session, they probably won’t work very well for you. Style – Today there are several different sizes, styles and fits available in hearing aids. Some models sit directly behind your ear while others fit entirely in your ear canal. You’ll want to balance price, ease-of-use, functionality, and aesthetics in making your decision. Wireless connectivity – several hearing aid models can even wirelessly join forces with your smartphone. That way, you can discreetly adjust volume and settings, send phone calls directly to your hearing aids, and even stream music all without any wires or the need for a separate hearing aid remote control. Advanced features – some hearing aids come have advanced features, like directional microphones to enhance speech, background noise reduction, environmental settings, and telecoils for clearer phone calls. You may also want to forgo some of these options and opt for a more cost-effective model. We realize it’s a lot to consider at first, but remember that your hearing care professional should help guide you through the decision-making process. Do not allow anyone to rush you to a decision without addressing your questions; that’s a huge red flag.

After You Select Your Hearing Aids

Once you’ve chosen a hearing aid brand and your hearing care professional has programmed them, you’re ready to take them home. At this point, remember the following two essential points: First, there will always be an adjustment period between you and your new hearing aids. You’ll likely be hearing sounds you haven’t heard in a while, and the overall sound may seem strange. This is perfectly normal and, after a few weeks, everything will make more sense. Just start out small at home. Try watching a movie and paying particular attention to the dialogue, or engage in one-on-one conversations in a quiet room. Try listening to music; pick out or follow certain instruments. New hearing aids can be a little uncomfortable at first. You should try to wear your hearing aids as much of the day as possible, putting them in when you wake up and taking them out before bed. This will help you through the adjustment process more quickly, and after a few weeks, you’ll be glad you did. If you’re having trouble adjusting, remember that your hearing aids can be adjusted! If you still struggle to hear or adapt to the new sound, schedule a follow-up visit with your hearing care professional to fine-tune the settings. Second, to ensure continued performance, you’ll need to properly maintain and care for your new hearing aids. You’ll need to perform daily cleaning, proper storage, and watch your battery supply. You can make these tasks easier on yourself with the right tools and habits. Hearing aid cleaning kits, storage cases/sanitizers, and batteries can all be supplied, with tips, from your hearing care professional. After this essential adjustment period, you’ll suddenly realize you’re enjoying all the benefits of better hearing. If you have any other questions about hearing aids, or the process of acquiring them, give us a call!