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Six Tips for Finding the Best Hearing Aids

3/18/2016

By the time you have 65 candles on your birthday cake, you are more likely to have hearing loss that requires digital hearing aids (a 33% chance) then you are to have good flossing habits (a 32% chance).

Even though the inability to hear or keep up with regular conversation can be frustrating, taking the steps to get hearing aid care is something most people avoid. Studies have shown that the average person waits at least seven years before they seek help for their hearing loss. In fact, at this very moment, there are 15 million Americans who are trying to function with hearing loss instead of visiting a doctor to learn more about assistive listening devices.

Seeing a doctor to potentially receive digital hearing aids is a courageous, yet necessary move. However, once you get through the process and are fitted with hearing technology your quality of life will greatly improve. You’ll suddenly notice how much more enjoyable your daily tasks will become from simply holding a conversation in a busy coffee shop to watching your favorite television show becoming less stressful.

If you are amping yourself up to go shopping for digital hearing aids, here are a few tips that will make the process smoother and increase your chances of getting the hearing care you need:

1. Bring moral support: ​If possible, bring a friend or a family member with you to your appointment. Having someone who cares about you at your appointment will help to ensure that all of your questions are answered and that you are getting the care you need. Not to mention, it's comforting to have a friend by your side. Perhaps make the outing something to look forward to, and plan a nice lunch together afterwards.


2. Find an Audiologist specialist: ​Getting the ideal digital hearing aids for your particular needs is completely based on the health provider who cares for you. They will be able to identify what best fits your hearing needs and lifestyle. When choosing an audiologist, it is a good idea to get a referral from your regular doctor, or ask for recommendations from friends who had good experiences getting their hearing aids.


3. Identify what you want out of your hearing aids: ​Each model of digital hearing aids have their own strengths. Knowing exactly what you need from your hearing aid will help your audiologists identify what is best suited for you. For example, if you regularly visit a place that has a lot of background noise and you need to be able to hear conversation amidst the noise, your needs are going to be different than someone who is looking for a hearing aid to hear a sermon at church, where there is only one source of sound. Consider what your lifestyle involves and what priorities you have from a digital hearing aid before making a decision.


4. Don't skimp on testing:​If you go to a good audiologist, they will extensively research the type of hearing loss that you have to make sure you are given an assistive hearing devices that best fit your needs. Ideally, this will involve a hearing test in a soundproof booth, so that your audiologist can accurately identify your hearing loss.


5. Take it for a test drive.:Even the most affordable digital hearing aids can be an investment. Take your time while choosing your hearing aids to make sure they adequately meet your needs. Some audiologist will demonstrate how your hearing will be improved with each device, so that you understand what you're getting.


6. Get involved in auditory training.:Your ears are the gatekeepers that let sound into your head, but it is your brain that actually converts the sounds into meaningful bits of information. While your digital hearing aids will help your ears capture the sound, your brain will need to be trained on how to process it in order to hear and communicate better.
   To really make the most of your new­found hearing, ask your audiologist for suggestions on auditory training and rehabilitation.

Do have any questions about life after hearing loss? Please feel free to contact us; we would love to help you get the help you need.