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Have you made an appointment for a hearing test? Congrats! This is the ideal first step toward maintaining your hearing health. Feel free to bring a friend or family member with you when you come in for your hearing exam. After all, when it comes to hearing and recalling everything we’ll discuss throughout the appointment, four ears are better than two.
During a hearing test, here are some of the questions we recommend you ask your hearing provider!
What kind of hearing loss do I experience?
There are two primary forms of hearing loss, and you may have one of them or a combination of the two. Choosing the correct hearing aids is easier if you know what kind of hearing loss you have. A hearing test might reveal more about your hearing loss, such as if you have trouble hearing high-pitched or low-pitched noises.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the cells in the inner ear or the auditory pathway to the brain are damaged. Even while sound waves regularly pass through the inner ear, some cells cannot detect the sounds or send messages to the brain. This hearing loss is irreversible.
When sound cannot reach the inner ear, conductive hearing loss occurs. It could be caused by earwax buildup in the ear canal, growth in the ear canal, or middle ear damage. Hearing loss is sometimes transitory, and hearing is restored when the blockage is removed.
Is it really necessary to have two hearing aids?
Your “good” ear doesn’t have perfect hearing, and treating hearing loss in both ears will help you hear better. Each ear is likely to have varying degrees of hearing loss. However, you will still require two hearing aids. Wearing two hearing aids allows you to locate noises better, understand conversations, and hear during phone or video chats.
What hearing aids are right for me?
We’ll discuss your hearing aid options after your complete hearing exam. Depending on your hearing needs, preferences, and lifestyle, you’ll have numerous options to pick from. Consider the scenarios in which you have the most difficulty hearing and prepare a list of the situations in which you’d like to hear better before your hearing test. Conversations with loved ones, hearing at restaurants, leisure activities, or professional circumstances are all examples of this.
Special programs and features, such as speech enhancement, connection, tinnitus therapy, and rechargeable batteries are available on all of our hearing aids. Make sure to inquire about all of your hearing aid alternatives so that you may make the best decision possible for your hearing health.
What is the life expectancy of my hearing aids?
The amount of time varies. Hearing aids, like any other electrical gadget, will ultimately break down. The number of hours you wear your hearing aids per day, the programs you use, and whether you clean them properly every day affect how long they last.
How frequently should I have my hearing aids serviced?
It may take numerous changes to get your hearing aids just perfect when you initially acquire them. After a few days of using your hearing aids, we recommend that you come in for a follow-up fitting to ensure that they are precisely adjusted for you.
Your hearing aids can also be serviced or adjusted at any time. Bring your hearing aids in for service if you’ve discovered any issues with them. We can also alter your hearing aids to exactly meet your hearing demands if you’ve detected changes in your hearing ability.
What kinds of warranties are included?
Before buying hearing aids, be sure you understand exactly what your warranty covers. Hearing aid manufacturers offer a variety of warranty options for their products. You might want to consider purchasing supplemental hearing aid insurance to protect yourself against the loss of your hearing aids.
Do you provide a free trial period?
Ask if the hearing aids you’re contemplating have a free trial period if you want to try them out before buying. We may be able to provide you with a free trial so that you can try out your hearing aids at home. If not, we’ll help you try them out in our office and see how the various programs and settings affect your hearing.