Hearing aids are only part of the solution.
As with so many pieces of technology, hearing aids require a certain amount of care and attention to keep them performing their best. Getting the most out of your hearing devices involves three key elements: product, provider and personal motivation.
Product - finding the right hearing device
Finding the appropriate hearing aid can seem daunting, especially with so many styles, features and price points from which to choose. It’s significantly harder to find the right one if you try to do it alone. A trained hearing care provider will help you determine which hearing devices are most appropriate for your needs and lifestyle. He or she can show you the various options, highlighting each device’s pros and cons. Technology, reliability and ease of use will all be explained — your job will be to focus on comfort and sound quality.
Today’s hearing aids have a lot of cool features that would have been science fiction not long ago. Some allow you to switch settings for different environments or set up Bluetooth connections to your TV, phone or other devices. If that interests you, we’ll tell you if your device can do it — or find you one that can!
Daily cleaning, proper storage and regular battery charging are key for keeping your hearing aids in tip-top shape, as is the odd tune-up. If you’ve been wearing the same hearing aids for some time, ensure they’re still meeting your needs by booking a hearing assessment.
Provider – improved hearing is a team effort
Though there’s a lot of technological know-how involved in prescribing the appropriate hearing aid settings, there is still an important “art” component to every successful hearing solution. Your hearing instrument practitioner needs to be highly discerning and sensitive to how you respond to different tones, and he or she must also be personable and able to learn from your feedback. Perception and comfort are different for every individual, and they simply can’t be measured. That’s why we offer unlimited follow-up appointments and encourage open communication. Only then can we get a sense of both the factors that can be measured and the ones that can’t. Ultimately, your hearing aids aren’t just right until you say they are.
To ensure a successful hearing solution, find a hearing care provider that you like and trust, and with whom you’ll feel comfortable sharing your hearing struggles. You’ll be spending a fair deal of time together, so it’s important to find someone with whom you can communicate openly and effectively. Sure, your practitioner needs experience and knowledge of the latest hearing devices and technologies, but it’s just as important that he or she is able to listen and communicate effectively. Those are the skills upon which we’ve built our business at 100 Mile House Hearing Clinic.
As your brain re-learns how to interpret the sounds it had been missing for so long, make sure to pop in periodically for fine-tuning. Together, we’ll adjust the settings of your hearing devices as you adapt to your new listening abilities.
We recommend visiting us three to four times per year (at least twice) to keep your hearing as sharp as possible. Remember, these follow-ups are free for as long as you own your devices. If you’re ever not completely happy with the performance of your hearing aids, come see us — there’s always more we can do.
Personal motivation – be patient, positive and realistic
It’s a noisy world out there. Your brain is going to need time to adjust to its new reality of hearing everything all of the time, rather than just some things some of the time. So be patient.
