The first thing to do when you experience hearing problems is to visit a good ENT specialist. You can find the right physician through Google or by asking your friends and family. If all else fails you can ask your general physician for references. Once your physician conducts all the necessary tests he will arrive at a diagnosis to figure out the right course of treatment. In most cases your doctor will suggest buying a hearing aid to enhance your hearing abilities.
What to expect during the fitting session
The first fitting session can last quite a while as it necessitates trying on and finding a hearing aid that is a comfortable fit and suits your functional needs. Your physician will put you through an orientation where he will teach you about the maintenance and usage pattern of the hearing aid.
Your doctor will also verify the quality of the fit and other functionalities through an automated test. This will ensure that the device is in accordance with the requirements determined by the hearing test. You need to follow the prescribed wearing schedule for the first few weeks to ensure that your mind gets adjusted to the physical aspects of the hearing aid. Your mind should also get used to change in sounds you hear, especially if you have had the hearing loss problems for a long time.
The hearing aid runs on small portable batteries. It is important to keep track of how long it’s been since the last battery change as a spent battery will be incapable of powering the hearing aid. Some manufacturers include the cost of batteries in their purchase price; however, the replacements are your responsibility.
Care and maintenance
Modern day hearing aids are power packed technologies in itself. And since they are embedded into the ear canal for prolonged periods, they often accumulate ear wax, dust etc. Hence it is important to clean them regularly in order to keep them working in good condition. The units usually feature an instruction guide that teaches you how to make use of the equipment and how to care for them. However, if you are unable to calibrate the hearing aid satisfactorily, you could always take it to your doctor to have it fixed.
Considering the technical advancements of the hearing aids, it is necessary to do timely follow ups with your doctor, especially during the first few days of wearing one. This will ensure that the unit is working as intended and that it is calibrated to suit your hearing needs satisfactorily. Most doctors will give you a follow up appointment date within a couple of days to ensure that your hearing aid is being used comfortably.
Rehabilitation
Getting used to your new hearing methods can be quite a shock to most people. In order to ease this transition, most doctors will offer a rehabilitation class, where they teach you listening and communication exercises. The ensuing process will help you to get the most benefits out of your hearing aids – easily and quickly.
