On average, people with hearing loss wait seven to 10 years to actually seek treatment for the condition. If you’ve been suspecting you have hearing loss and are finally ready to address it and improve your communication, health and quality of life, be sure to do these six things first.
1. Get a Hearing Test
Before you can get fit for a hearing aids, you first need to get a hearing test from a qualified audiologist. Types of hearing tests include pure tone testing, speech testing, middle ear tests, auditory brainstem response (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions (OAE).
2. List Your Hearing Challenges
During your hearing evaluation, your audiologist will ask you questions about your lifestyle and how your symptoms affect your ability to do the things you love, like attending a play or concert at the Charleston Stage. It’s helpful to prepare a list of areas you’d like to improve in advance.
3. Figure Out Your Financing Options
While hearing aids are designed to treat a medical condition, they are unfortunately not covered by Medicare or most third-party insurance plans. Hearing aids can still be made affordable through the VA, vocational rehabilitation programs, charitable organizations or financing plans.
4. Develop Realistic Expectations
Hearing aids don’t work the way glasses do; they are not able to perfectly restore your hearing to what it once was, and you won’t get the full benefit right away. It’s important to understand that hearing aids simply amplify sounds to a level the ear can detect, and it may take some time to get the programming just right to compensate for your unique type and degree of hearing loss.
5. Rely on Your Support System
If your family members were the ones who originally suggested you may have a problem with your hearing, they’ll be right beside you cheering you on through the rehabilitation process. Don’t be afraid to talk to them about your concerns or request accommodations that can help you communicate better.
6. Find the Right Professional
When you buy a hearing aid, you’re not just paying for the device, you’re paying for the care you receive. Wearing hearing aids means spending a lot of time in an audiologist’s office being tested, having your devices reprogrammed and getting repairs done. Be sure you choose a professional you trust.
If you’re tired of missing all the sounds that life has to offer, schedule an appointment with the experts at The Hearing & Balance Center today.