When you consider hearing loss and the different ways to tackle it, hearing aids will usually come out as the best option. They are effective, they come in a wide range of different varieties to suit everyone, and there are even specialist hearing instrument specialists who can help regarding them.
For many, they are absolutely essential, and choosing the right hearing aid just wouldn’t be possible without them. With this in mind, let’s look more closely at how a hearing instrument specialist helps you with your hearing aids so that you know why you should visit one if you need to.
Perform hearing examinations
Hearing loss is always going to be different for each individual. Some will find their hearing loss is mild, others will have much more severe hearing loss. Depending on the severity of the issue, it’s important to have the right hearing aid to wear – the wrong one will cause you problems as it won’t improve your hearing loss.
So, before a hearing aid can be found that works best for you and your specific set of circumstances, a hearing examination must be carried out. This is the first role that a hearing instrument specialist will play in your hearing aid journey. They will carry out the test, ensuring that they check every element that they need to so that they can ascertain exactly what level of hearing loss you have.
Not only will the HIS carry out specialist tests, but they will also talk to you about your hearing loss. This is just as important as the examination itself, as it would lead to a much more detailed understanding of the reasons you are experiencing hearing loss. It will also give the HIS a better idea of your lifestyle and what you need to hear. Someone who plays sports, for example, may need a different kind of hearing aid than someone who works alone at home a lot of the time.
Select and fit your hearing aid
Although the final choice when it comes to your hearing aid will always ultimately be yours, there is such an array of these devices that it would be all but impossible to decide which one is going to be the best option even if you do know what level of hearing loss you are experiencing. This is another reason to go to a hearing instrument specialist; they will know what type of hearing aid will benefit you the most.
The HIS can use all the information gathered during the examination phase to ascertain the ideal hearing device for you to use. As mentioned above, this will depend on your lifestyle, your needs, and what kind of hearing loss you have. You might want something more discreet, or perhaps you would prefer something larger that is easier to manage. It could be that a hearing aid with digital noise reduction is precisely right for you, or one with Bluetooth connectivity that can connect to a smartphone app.
Because the hearing instrument specialist will have a large amount of knowledge about hearing aids, they will know which ones to show you. They will also know how to fit the hearing aid so that you are comfortable with it. It can take some time for people to get used to wearing a hearing aid, but having it fitted correctly at the start can make a lot of difference and make it a much easier experience.
Aftercare
Once you have chosen your hearing aid and the HIS has fitted it for you, that’s not the end of the story. Ongoing aftercare is another facet of a good hearing instrument specialist. At any point in your hearing loss journey, you might have questions, and whether it’s about your hearing loss itself or your hearing aid, asking your hearing instrument specialist is the best course of action. They are the experts, and they will have the answers to give you peace of mind and help you make any decisions you need to make.
The HIS will also be able to complete repairs on your hearing aid should this become necessary. If the problem is a complex one, they can arrange for a replacement hearing aid too. Plus, they’ll be able to explain how to take care of the hearing aid, how to clean it, how to store it, and so on to prolong its life.
Speak to a hearing instrument specialist today
When you need advice about your hearing aid, whether you need to know which type is best for you, how to use it, or even how to fix it, a hearing instrument specialist should be your first point of contact. At Hearing Well Matters, we are experts in all aspects of hearing loss testing and hearing aid selection and maintenance. For advice and to make an appointment to learn more, please don’t hesitate to call (647) 247-2704.
