Getting an Exam
Stopping in for an exam is the first step you need to take if you suspect you have a hearing loss.
No reason to wait
A full hearing evaluation takes less than an hour. Once it is over you’ll have a clear idea of whether you have hearing loss, what type it is, and how it can be helped.
What we will do?
We will start by asking you a few questions about your general health and lifestyle, and the health of your ears.
Next, we will look into your ear to examine the canal that runs to the eardrum. We will be looking for more clues about your hearing health. The ear examination doesn’t hurt at all.
The actual test
For the actual test you’ll be asked to wear headphones and listen to a series of tones to evaluate the sensitivity of your hearing at different frequency levels.
The hearing test results are shown on an audiogram, a graph that, in most cases, will be presented to you right after the test.
What if I have hearing loss?
The hearing evaluation will give you a clear idea of whether you have hearing loss. If you do have hearing loss, we will be able to tell you if it can be treated with a hearing aid, and if so, which type of hearing aid will suit you best.
Click here to read more about which types of hearing loss can be treated with a hearing aid.
Other things to consider
The choices
Depending on the type of hearing loss, you can choose between different styles of hearing aids to suit your lifestyle – and the shape of your ears.
What is your lifestyle?
Do you work? Do you attend meetings? Do you go to concerts? Do you often go to noisy places such as restaurants? Is there anything you can’t do because of hearing loss? Do you use a mobile phone?
Type of hearing instrument
What’s important to you? Appearance, durability, or ease of use?
Technology
What technological features will benefit your particular hearing loss? How advanced does your hearing instrument need to be?
One or two?
Age-related hearing loss and hearing loss caused by exposure to noise tend to affect both ears. If this is the case, you need to wear two hearing aids. This is actually very common – 75% of new purchasers choose two hearing aids. By wearing them in both ears you’ll get much more out of your hearing aids.
Life with a hearing aid
As soon as you start wearing a hearing aid, you begin the process of re-learning how to hear.
It may take a little practice
Although some people adjust relatively quickly, you may find you need practice using a hearing aid. Your brain needs to get used to new sounds and stimuli it hasn’t received in a while.
This can be overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. With practice and perseverance, you’ll soon be comfortable.
Start with just a few hours a day
Tips on using a hearing aid
Here are some tips on using a hearing aid.
Speaking with others
Human speech is a complex sound, so you’ll need a little more practice to begin with. Start by using your hearing aid at home with someone whose voice you know well.
Remember that communicating combines listening with concentration and visual clues. Pay attention to facial expressions and gestures, and you’ll understand more.
Hearing aids, like ears, pick up sound best from the front. So, place yourself in front of people when they speak. If you know them well enough, ask them to speak in a normal tone and without covering their mouth with their hands.
Different environments
As you gain confidence, begin wearing your hearing aid in a wider variety of environments – like work or social occasions. Practice selecting specific sounds and voices and focusing attention on them.
In public places such as a meeting hall, sit as close to the speaker as possible. In cafes or restaurants, try to sit with your back to the main source of noise – such as an open window or a sidewalk.
Radio and television
For best results, you’ll need to find the best distance between you and the television.
With your new hearing aid on, sit between 6 and 12 feet away (around 2 to 4 meters) with the TV set to a normal level for others. Then adjust your distance to the TV and the volume to find your own comfortable level.
Do the same for the radio. The closer you are and the less background noise there is, the better the sound you’ll get.
Telephone
Sometimes your hearing aid will buzz or squeal while you are talking on the phone. If you only wear one hearing aid, try swapping the phone to the other ear.
A telecoil – a feature of some hearing aids – can help when talking on a standard phone. On a cell phone, you could use hands-free systems that include headsets and volume controls.
Modern hearing aids will accomodate your needs
Remember that getting used to your hearing aid is part of the hearing recovery process.
Fortunately, today’s most advanced hearing instruments are highly sensitive to individual needs, both for hearing and comfort.
By following our advice , you’ll soon discover using your hearing aid is natural and enjoyable.
