If I suspect
I have a hearing loss, what should I
do?
If you suspect that you have a hearing
loss, consult with a Doctor of Audiology. An
audiologist is trained to identify whether
a hearing loss requires medical or non-medical
treatment and will refer you to the appropriate
medical specialist when necessary. The
audiologist will identify, diagnose,
treat and manage your hearing loss.
What can I expect
from an audiological evaluation?
HISTORY
The audiologist will perform a thorough assessment of the hearing mechanism,
beginning with a history interview. History questions will focus on the following
areas:
- Conditions at birth or during adolescence
that may have an impact on hearing.
- Exposure to workplace, military,
or recreational noise.
- Medications prescribed for medical
conditions.
- Past surgeries.
- Family traits and hereditary anomalies
that may be associated with hearing
loss.
VISUAL INSPECTION OF OUTER EAR AND EAR
DRUM
Following the history, the audiologist
will examine the outer ear with an otoscope
or video otoscope. The audiologist can observe any damage caused by the use
of cotton applicators ("Q-tips"), trauma, or chronic infection. The audiologist
can also observe the condition of the ear drum and determine whether the ear
canal may have a buildup of earwax causing a hearing loss.
AUDIOLOGICAL EVALUATION
After considering a patient's history and performing a visual inspection of
the outer ear, the audiologist will perform an audiological evaluation composed
of a series of tests. These test may include but are not limited to:
- Tympanometry to assess the status
of the middle ear.
- Pure tone thresholds by air conduction
and often by bone conduction to determine
the degree and type of hearing loss.
- Tests of speech threshold and speech
recognition to asses comprehension
of complex signals.
- Special tests of auditory function,
such as otoacoustic emissions.
How do I know
if I need a hearing aid(s)?
AUDIOLOGICAL EVALUATION
The results of the audiological evaluation are a critical factor in helping
to determine the need for hearing aid(s), the type of hearing aid(s) and
whether one or two aids are needed. The audiologist will review the results
of your evaluation and provide various options and recommendations for remediation,
if needed.
PERSONAL PREFERENCE & PHYSICAL
HEALTH
Although the audiological evaluation is necessary to determine a course of
action, it does not tell the entire story. Audiologists also consider and
weigh the patient's personal preferences as well as their overall health.
Patients may not be ready to try hearing aids initially, but they will be
asked to truthfully assess their degree of communicative difficulty.
What kinds of
hearing aids are available?
Hearing aids are available in a variety
of sizes and shapes, from instruments
that fit behind the ear to instruments
that totally fit within the ear canal
and are minimally visible. Electronic
circuitry has advanced significantly
in the recent past, allowing patients
greater sound comfort and improved speech
recognition in noisy situations, to name
a few. Digital hearing
aids, which are adjusted via a computer
connection, provide the most flexibility,
allowing the audiologist to custom fit
the response of the device to a specific
hearing loss. Digital hearing aids can
be modified if hearing changes or as
your listening needs change. Your audiologist
will help you choose the best instrument
according to your needs and your budget.
Why do hearing
aids cost so much?
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR MAXIMUM
BENEFIT
In order to receive maximum benefit from
hearing aids, a professionally trained
Doctor of Audiology is involved in the fitting process which typically involves an
average of five direct contact hours during the first year. Hearing Associates will provide unlimited hearing aid service during the warranty period (from
one to three years), for no additional charge. When a hearing aid is dispensed, it is typically part of a package that routinely
includes certain required professional services such as verification of the
hearing aid fitting including, but not limited to, real ear (or probe tube)
measurements and aided sound field testing. As part of the fitting process services include; ear
impressions, selecting/ fitting/adjusting/reprogramming the hearing aid, patient
and family counseling regarding hearing aid use, maintenance and realistic
expectations and follow-up appointments.
Mail order or budget clubs may sell
hearing aids at lower prices because
they are often placed on the user with
minimal or no instructions and/or adjustments.
(Their components may be less expensive,
too.) The user may be charged for return
visits including minor tubing changes
and adjustments. In the long run, the
patient may pay as much or even more
than they would from a full-service audiology
practice.
The minimum training required for a
dispensing audiologist has been a master's
degree, which is now transitioning to
a doctoral degree (Au.D.). Mail order
discount centers, by contrast, are often
staffed by sales people with minimal
technical training. Why does it matter?
Audiologists know that the most important
consideration in hearing aid selection
is not the hearing itself; rather, it
is the skill and knowledge of the professional
dispensing the hearing aid. The audiologist's
responsibility is to ensure that a suitable
instrument is selected and to provide
an understandable explanation of its
merits and limitations.
HIGH TECH/LOW VOLUME
Hearing aids are sold in relatively low volume when compared with other electronic
devices. For example, approximately 1.7 million hearing aids are sold in
the U.S. per year as compared to several million stereos; yet, the amount
of time and resources manufacturer's spend on development and research is
considerable. One manufacturer reports spending more than forty million
dollars developing a single model.
RETURN FOR CREDIT POLICY
"Return for Credit" policies are standard among hearing aid manufacturers and
required by state and federal hearing aid guidelines, allowing new hearing aids
to be returned within an established evaluation period. The costs associated
with these policies are considerable, especially for custom products, and naturally
must be absorbed in the overall pricing structure.
WEIGHING THE COSTS
Communication is vital to human existence. According to a groundbreaking study
published by the National Council on Aging (1999), "Untreated hearing loss
has serious emotional and social consequences for older persons." The benefits
hearing aid users reported in their lives ranged from improved relationships
at home and sense of independence to improved social and family life. According
to the study, the families of hearing-aid users noticed improvements in every
dimension the survey measured. An additional "Beyond Fifty" survey conducted
by the AARP and Harris Interactive (2003) found that the ability to stay
connected to family and friends contributed to quality of life more than
overall health. So if wearing hearing aids allows you to resume activities
you enjoy, improve relationships with friends and family, retain your independence,
etc. the cost becomes a lot more justifiable.
What can I expect
as I adjust to my new hearing aids?
Besides helping you to hear and understand
voices better, properly adjusted hearing
aids will allow you to hear sounds that
previously may not have been audible.
You may notice that your own voice is
louder, too. Your entire auditory system
will adjust to the to new sounds that
have not been heard for a long time.
The sound of wrinkling newspaper or water
running may be annoying at first. However,
after about 2-3 weeks, you will notice
an adjustment to these environmental
sounds. Gradually increasing the amount
of time you wear the hearing aids and
following the schedule provided by your
audiologist will result in an easier
transition to amplified sound. During
the initial adjustment period, you may
be asked to visit the audiologist several
times so that he/she may monitor your
progress and adjust the controls of your
hearing aid(s), if needed. These follow-up
visits are crucial to your success with
amplification.
