Hearing Aid Recommendations
I
am a lifelong hearing aid wearer and an Assistive Device vendor, and I
have shared office space with hearing aid dispensers. So my suggestions
are based on experience and inside knowledge.
Hearing
aids are expensive. It doesn't matter whether that's right or wrong;
they just are. A person purchases a hearing aid to improve his/her life,
but one out of four aids end up in a dresser drawer. I can only think
this happens because of the relationship between the buyer and seller.
Hearing
aids do work, provided they are properly fitted and the buyer has
realistic expectations of them. So choose your dispenser wisely.
Here
are my suggestions and things to consider:
1)
Get a medical exam to be sure your hearing loss is not a result of
clogged ears or other condition that can be medically treated.
2)
ALL quality hearing aid manufacturers produce an aid that fits your
loss.
3)
ALL aids in the correct volume range can be "adjusted",
"fitted" "programmed" etc. to fit your loss.
4)
Don't confuse digital technology with digitally programmed hearing aids.
Most aids can be programmed using digital technology. It does NOT mean
they are digital hearing aids.
5)
Ask why the dispenser is choosing the particular brand/make/model for
you.
6)
Ask for a 60-day trial/return policy. (Most manufacturers offer 90 days
to the dispenser.
7)
Ask about the MANUFACTURER's warranty. Some of them offer up to two
years! That's the one you want - the manufacturer's warranty.
8)
Ask what monies the dispenser will keep if you return the aid. (I think
keeping the cost of the audiogram and the earmold or shell is
reasonable.
9)
Get a copy of your audiogram. It is YOUR medical record. You PAID for
it.
10)
Good dispensing takes lots of practice. Find a dispenser you are
comfortable with. You will need to go back for fine-tuning. Make sure
you can feel GOOD about going back.
11)
For any loss beginning with Mild-to-Moderate, the Behind the Ear (BTE )
aids are best. They are usually less fragile, last longer and have the
best options. Generally
they cost less too! Your hearing is important, don't hide its loss
behind an invisible aid.
12)
Always get strong, pre-amplified telecoils in your hearing aids. Ask for
Tibbetts coils. Ask that they be programmed to work with the microphone.
Be sure they are positioned for both LOOP and Telephone use.
13)
Telecoils can be fit inside all but the smallest hearing aids.
14)
Hearing aids can be retrofitted with telecoils. Figure an additional
$50 to $75 for a telecoil.
15)
Ask the dispenser to explain the "Microphone/Telecoil"
combination and straight "Telecoil" use.
16)
If the dispenser shrugs off the importance of telecoils, find another
dispenser. Telecoils turn any aid from working like a Ford into a
Cadillac. Telecoils may be the difference between whether or not you
hear on the telephone, in a movie theater, or in a car (using assistive
devices). I kid you not!!!!!!
17)
After being fitted, use the dispenser's telephone to practice using the
telecoil. Don't leave his office until you are comfortable using it.
18)
List EVERYTHING that bothers you the first week or so after being fitted
with the aid.. List it regardless of how unimportant it seems. Return to
the dispenser with the list. Most likely they have a solution. But they
are too busy to follow up. Follow-up is YOUR responsibility. That aid
needs to be worn all the time to keep your quality of life.
19)
Remember, hearing aids amplify ALL sounds. In a quiet room, if you are
close to the speaker, the ONLY sound is the sound you want to hear. In
that situation, hearing aids work GREAT. But, in other situations, you
will need assistive devices and telecoils.
20)
For some people, the digital hearing aids are super. For others the
improvement is not worth the increase in cost. Still others say there is
no difference between analog and digital hearing aids. Each person is
different. It is up to you to determine what works for you. Ask the
dispenser to try both types.
21)
Always ask the dispenser to let you try at least three different hearing
aids.
22)
Feedback (whistling) is often the result of IMPROPER FITTING! Do not
accept feedback. It is caused by loose earmold, loose fitting, cracked
tubing, or other things that your audiologist or dispenser can fix.
23)
Assistive Devices and your telecoils are the best way help eliminate
background noise.
I
hope this is helpful. Please feel free to contact me at any time with
questions, comments, or concerns, or visit my website. I can help you
with assistive devices for the telephone, TV, wakeup alarm, door
knocker, restaurant conversing etc.
Curtis
Dickinson
Improving
your life-Considerably
Worcester,
MA USA
hearmeco@telegram.infi.net
http://www.Hearing-Loss-Help-Co.com
