More than Hearing Aids
By Steve Barber
Editor: People with hearing loss know that dealing with it is a lot
more than just getting hearing aids. But what else is needed? Here with
his thoughts on the issue is Steve Barber of the Hearing Loss Association
of North Carolina.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, you think you might have a hearing loss? Your friends and family
(and even some strangers), have already told you to get hearing aids,
right? They may be right, but there's a lot more for you to do if you're
going to make the most of your hearing. Start with these suggestions.
Seek Professional Help: Get a proper evaluation by an audiologist and
see an ear doctor. It's important to rule out correctible things and to
make sure your loss isn't a symptom of a more serious problem. A free
hearing screening is nice, but it's no substitute for a thorough
evaluation.
Choose a Good Provider: If you decide to get hearing aids, choosing
your provider is probably more important that choosing a brand. Fitting
hearing aids is an art, so you want someone who not only knows their
stuff, but someone who's willing to work with you. It's not like glasses
where your vision is 20/20 when they put them on. Hearing aids are
computers, and fitting them well requires more than ordering the
"prescription" and sticking them in your ear.
Understand Your Needs: Each person's needs are different. You may need
to hear better on the phone, or in meetings. You may want to hear the TV
better at home, or your friends at a noisy restaurant. Make a list of what
you want from your hearing aids and discuss those things with your
provider.
Forget Vanity and Denial: Nobody cares if you have hearing aids; but
you can look very stupid if you bluff and get things wrong. People notice
stupidity! Hearing aids today are sleek, colorful, fashionable and smaller
than the ear-level Bluetooth devices that everyone is wearing for their
cell phone or music player. They're even cool!
Get Smart: Making the most of your hearing means more than just buying
hearing aids, though that's important. It means you need to learn what
strategies and technologies work best for you. Don't ask your "Aunt
Tillie", whose hearing aids are in a drawer, what you should do. Meet
people who are successfully dealing with their loss. Learn from them about
hearing aid features, hearing assistance technology, strategies, and
resources. If you are going to be hard of hearing, you might as well be
good at it. Here are some great ways to start learning what you need to
know:
Hearing Loss Association of America is a non-profit organization that
everyone interested in hearing loss should join. You get a super magazine
with articles about hearing better. There are three local chapters in the
Triangle area (everyone's welcome at local meetings). The state-level is
planning a fantastic conference for this September (see the ad in this
issue). Local, state and national levels provide a voice for people with
hearing loss -- a voice that's making a real difference. Add your voice.
The Internet offers terrific opportunities for people with hearing
loss. People share information about hearing loss on Listserves. There are
many, but check out Beyond-Hearing and BHNews on Yahoo Groups. Hundreds of
people share information about hearing loss on such groups.
North Carolina's Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of
Hearing (DSDHH) has specialists across the state that can help you with
hearing loss. There are programs to help you learn about what you can do,
and programs that offer free equipment.
Take Charge! There's never been a better time to have a hearing loss,
because there are so many things you can do to improve your hearing and
your life. Join the revolution.
Join Hearing Loss Association of America (www.hearingloss.org)
Find out about chapters in North Carolina (www.nchearingloss.org)
Register for the Focus on Hearing Conference (www.nchearingloss.org)
See a glossary of hearing loss terms (www.nchearingloss.org)
Contact DSDHH (http://dsdhh.dhhs.state.nc.us/)
Steve Barber is Co-President of Hearing Loss Association of North
Carolina. Email him at
steve.barber@earthlink.net.
