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If you are taking steps towards addressing the potential of hearing loss in your life, this is an exciting moment. Perhaps you have hearing issues and want treatment or perhaps your hearing is fine and you want to establish healthy hearing practices.
Regardless, after a hearing test you’ll be able to make educated choices about your hearing health. If treatment is needed, you will be able to clearly communicate with your friends, family, and co-workers, while feeling confident about being independent again.
When you go to your hearing consultation, it is a good idea to have a list of questions that you can ask to help you make informed decisions about your hearing health. Here are a few questions you may want to ask:
What kind of hearing loss do I have?
It is important to know the different types and degrees of hearing loss, as they may require different treatments.
The most common type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear from old age, sound, head trauma, ototoxic medication and more. There is no cure for this type of hearing loss but hearing aids can help to amplify lost sounds so you can participate as though your hearing is more complete. Depending on the severity of hearing loss and which sounds are most diminished will dictate how your hearing aids will be programmed to amplify your hearing.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a blockage in the middle ear, often due to earwax impaction, fluid build up due to ear infection, tumors, or bone abnormalities. This type of hearing loss can usually be regained once the blockage is cleared. Sometimes your hearing loss may be a mix of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss in which case a combination of measures will be helpful.
What should I expect from my hearing aids?
There are many different models offering different features, and it’s important to remember that hearing aids are recommended and fitted to in a way that addresses your specific hearing needs. From your audiogram and consultation, we’ll be able to recommend models that benefit you.
Some hearing aids are extremely small and discreet, while others are larger, more powerful and easier to operate. Some offer extra features, like tinnitus masking, automatic adjustments to different listening environments, or water resistance and wind protection for those who spend more time outside. What dictates which hearing aid model will work best for you depends on your lifestyle and what you want to get out of your hearing experience while balancing out the practicality of your situation.
How will hearing aids fit into my lifestyle?
Think about different aspects of your lifestyle and take down notes of the different activities you participate in throughout the day. Take note of the different environments where you find it difficult to hear. If a hearing loss is detected, this lifestyle information could help narrow down the different options available with hearing aid styles and technology features.
How do I care for my hearing aids?
Hearing aids are becoming more and more low maintenance, but still, it is good to know how to care for your hearing aids so you can get the most amount of years and performance from your investment.
If your hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries make sure you know the best procedure to get the most life out of your battery. If your batteries must be changed regularly, our team will help you master this process.
If you lead an active lifestyle, we may recommend using a dehumidifier to keep your hearing aids clean. We can also help you understand the safest way to keep your device clean so it can operate it’s best for as long as possible.
Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss
If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing, or if a loved one has encouraged you to take a hearing test, we’re here to help. We provide comprehensive hearing health services and we are here to empower you on your journey to better hearing health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!