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Ask the Audiologist

By Kevin Kock, Au.D.
Audiology Consultants, P.C.

I Am Ready for Hearing Aids – What now?

The time has come, you are finally ready to get hearing aids, but you do not know where to start. You may have a few questions but want to make sure you are making the right investment. This article can help. To start, search for a licensed audiologist in your area. An audiologist is a hearing and hearing technology specialist with advanced training. They are hearing experts who are passionate about improving their patient’s communication. It might help to ask a friend about who they see to point you in the right direction.

Once you find an audiologist, it is important first to have your hearing tested. Depending on your insurance, your physician might have to refer you for the hearing evaluation prior to being seen. The hearing test allows the audiologist to quantify your hearing loss, identify some communication challenges, and help you move forward to a solution that works best for you. If a hearing loss is found, the next step is to set up a hearing aid consultation or evaluation. This appointment is designed to identify situations you want to improve and find solutions that work for you and your budget. Some questions to ask might include: Are follow-up services included in the price? How do you verify the hearing aids are set for my hearing loss? What types of styles and technology levels do hearing aids come in? Can these be rechargeable or connect to a smartphone? What can I use with limited dexterity? Does my insurance cover hearing aids? The audiologist will then work to identify a hearing aid solution that meets your needs.

The next step is the hearing aid fitting. At this appointment, the audiologist will verify your hearing aids are appropriate for your hearing loss. The gold standard is Real Ear verification which is accomplished by placing a microphone in your ear that measures sound at different loudness levels. Then, the audiologist will talk with you about using and taking care of your hearing aids. You then get to experience your hearing aids in the real world! It is common to have a follow-up appointment to check in on how you
are doing. The audiologist might want to make a few adjustments to your programming based on your experiences. This follow-up will also help clarify any additional questions you have. If you have any questions and want to move forward, talk to an audiologist today!

Kevin Kock is an audiologist at Audiology Consultants, P.C. For more information consult our ad in this publication for store locations and phone numbers.