How to buy the best hearing aid for you.
Hearing loss affects 1 in 6 Australians and this is projected to be 1 in 4 Australians by 2050 (Access Economics, 2006). Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, loneliness depression, dementia and impact on education and employment. While interventions such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, will not completely restore hearing, along with communication strategies and training can enhance a person’s ability to communicate, improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
The good news is that hearing loss treatment is more widely accepted and the improvements in hearing aid technology have meant that hearing aid satisfaction rates have reached record highs with 83% of users being satisfied with their current hearing devices (Picou, 2020).
Knowing which hearing aid to pick can be a daunting process as there are many different brands, levels of sophistication and therefore price. Hearing aids will generally come with a 3-year warranty so it’s important that you are happy with the investment you are making. At Hear and Clear Care, we are committed to providing you advice and service to ensure that you can hear your absolute best!
How to decide on the best hearing aid for you?
Step 1: The most important step in your hearing care journey is finding a hearing provider who is up to date in their training, access to latest technology and a commitment to providing a service-driven model of care. Whilst, the price of hearing aids may be important to you, it is imperative that you remember you are not just buying a product but a service. Often the hearing journey from deciding to get a hearing test to managing hearing aids can involve multiple appointments so you want to make sure you have an audiologist, like Emma at Hear and Clear Care who is supportive on your journey.
Step 2: The next step is to have your hearing test consultation. During this appointment, Hear and Clear Care will discuss the areas where you might be having trouble hearing, where you would like to see improvements in your hearing and your general lifestyle. We will then perform a comprehensive auditory evaluation which will include:
- Otoscopy
- Tympanometry
- Air-conduction testing
- Bone-conduction testing
- Speech Discrimination testing
- Speech-in-noise testing
Step 3: In conjunction, all these tests help us to determine your level of hearing loss and what devices would be best suited to you. Emma, using her extensive knowledge will recommend a brand/device that aligns with your hearing loss, lifestyle as well as your budget. Emma may recommend that you do a free trial of the hearing aid(s).
Step 4: Once we’ve determined the best hearing solution for you, we will schedule the fitting appointment! This is where Emma will program your hearing aid to a specific target using specialised equipment, called Real Ear Measurements to make sure your hearing aid is adjusted to your hearing loss and shape of ear correctly.
Step 5: This is where you’ll start to notice improvements to your hearing. It may take up to 30 days to adjust to all the new sounds you are hearing. During this time, Hear and Clear Care is committed to fine-tuning your aids frequently as you adjust to the real-world sounds around you. It is important to find a hearing provider who is willing to give you this time, as it often takes a few appointments especially in the first 12 months to adjust the hearing aids, the sound and comfort of them to work best for you.
Step 6: From now, we will see you every 12 months for a hearing test and adjustments to the hearing aids as required. However, you are more than welcome to make an appointment at Hear and Clear Care anytime you need. This is why Hear and Clear Care includes all of your appointments for the first 12 months in the cost of the hearing aids.
References
Access Economics. (2006). The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia. Retrieved from https://waubrafoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Access-Economics-Economic-Impact-Cost-of-Hearing-Loss-in-Australia.pdf
Picou E. M. (2020). MarkeTrak 10 (MT10) Survey Results Demonstrate High Satisfaction with and Benefits from Hearing Aids. Seminars in hearing, 41(1), 21–36. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1701243