As we age, our bodies send us signals when it is time to see a physician or provider for medical attention.
Hearing loss is one of those signals, at any age, but particularly for people older than 60.
There are many different types of hearing loss. Having an audiogram, a hearing test, performed by an ear, nose and throat office that has a certified audiologist or licensed hearing aid dispenser is recommended.
Often, hearing loss can be corrected with medical interventions such as a surgical procedure or a medical treatment, but there are hearing losses that can only be helped with hearing aids.
When is it time to get a hearing aid?
The time to get a hearing aid is after you have received an audiogram and it has been determined that your hearing loss will be helped the most by wearing a hearing aid. The next step will be to determine what type of hearing aid will be the best fit for your hearing loss.
The kind of lifestyle you lead, how active you are, and if you spend a lot of time outdoors or are at home much of the time will be taken into consideration.
This kind of information is helpful for the audiologist and audiology technician to determine the level of technology you need, which will also determine the cost of the hearing aid.
My spouse/partner says I need a hearing aid, but I don't know if I am ready for one.
It is it important for you to want to pursue amplification. If the issue is forced, you are more likely to reject wearing the hearing aid.
Therefore, the decision to get a hearing aid should be made by the potential wearer of the device.
My spouse got hearing aids and he or she still cannot hear me. Why?
There are two parts to a hearing loss.
The ability to hear volume, and the ability to hear sounds intelligibly or clear enough.
When the hearing loss is deficient in both parts (volume and clarity), hearing aids can increase the loudness of sounds, and the hearing aid can be adjusted for intelligibility, but they cannot correct these problems to normal hearing.
Hearing aids are just that, they aid to help a person hear better than they would without them.
How many times do my hearing aids need to be adjusted?
After the initial fitting of the hearing aids, many users return after one month to report back to their dispenser how "their world" sounds to them.
It is not uncommon to need adjustments after wearing the hearing aids in your own environment.
Users also return after one year, as they will have maximized the settings of the initial fit and may need their hearing aids boosted up. Give your provider a call if your hearing aids don't seem to be helping. Perhaps an adjustment is all that's needed.
After wearing hearing aids for a long period of time, users may subjectively feel their hearing has gotten worse.
A repeat audiogram should then be scheduled. You may want to check with your primary care physician for a referral to have an audiogram repeated.
Be aware that some insurance plans do not cover second audiograms without a referral.
When pursuing amplification:
get a referral from your primary care physician for an audiogram;
make an appointment with a certified audiologist and or licensed hearing aid dispenser;
discuss your hearing aid options with your provider;
decide to be fit with hearing aid(s); and
return for adjustments as needed.
Mary Beth Flint works at Bassett Healthcare as a state-licensed hearing aid dispenser.
