Getting your new hearing aids can be a welcome but challenging process. With so much new information to absorb, you might feel a bit overwhelmed at your meetings with a hearing health professional. The good news is that we are here to answer your questions going forward, and you can always call with a specific need that comes up. However, you will likely want to ask some questions during your initial consultation and your fitting appointments. Bring a notebook so that you can jot down a few things, and you might want to bring along a friend or loved one as an additional set of ears in the meeting. Although you are both in the same conversation, you might be surprised at the different things you remember after the appointment. Here are a few of the questions you will want to make sure you have answered as you move through the process of getting treatment for hearing loss.
What kind of hearing loss do I have?
After you complete your hearing test and have a consultation with your hearing health professional, you will probably be curious about what kind of hearing loss you have. The audiogram is a graph depicting the ranges of hearing that are most difficult for you, and your hearing health professional can interpret the results for you in a way that you understand. You might find that you have better hearing in one ear than another, as well. When you ask this question, you can also supply additional information to your hearing health professional to help in the diagnostic process. Specifically, you can explain the situations where hearing is the most difficult if you hear better on one side than the other, and what types of sounds are most difficult. This information helps make a complete assessment, so try to be as detailed as possible.
What kind of hearing aids is right for me?
Among the many hearing aids on the market, your hearing health professional can use the diagnostic process to find some that suit your needs. You might want to ask about the features that are available in aids, and you can also ask about features that you’ve heard about from others. If you know that you would like to use them in outdoor activities, you can inquire about water resistance, and you can see what kind of battery options are available, as well. By asking these questions, your hearing health professional will get a better idea how to maximize your communication ability.
How can I maintain my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids require very little care and maintenance, but there might be a few steps you can take to extend the life of your aids as long as possible. Some basic cleaning tends to include wiping down your aids with a dry, clean cloth, and you might need to remove earwax from some of the components from time to time. If your aids will have replaceable batteries, you can find out how to do so as well as how long batteries are likely to last. If you should happen to drop your hearing aids in water, you can ask what is the best way to help them recover from that submersion.
How can I balance cost and features?
When it is time to choose hearing aids, you might realize some features are very important to you. However, you might also realize that you’re unlikely to use some features. By getting a pair of aids with fewer features, you might be able to save some money on the purchase price, but that relationship is not always the case. Be sure to explain to your hearing health professional which features, such as noise reduction or Bluetooth connectivity, are the most appealing to you. Finding the right aids for you means maximizing the helpful features while making sure they are in a price range that is affordable within your budget.
When you get the answers to these questions, you will have the information you need to integrate your hearing aids into your life. Don’t forget that you can always get in touch if you have more questions that arise after your fitting appointment.