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Once you have taken your hearing test and received your results, if the test shows that you have hearing loss, then the next step will be choosing and fitting a hearing aid.
The meeting to fit your new hearing aid can be overwhelming. During the fitting process, there is a lot of information to take in. Remember that your hearing aid will eventually be worn the entire day, everyday, so it is important to make sure the device fits you properly and comfortably. With so much at stake, it pays to prepare yourself before the hearing aid fitting with your hearing aid practitioner.
Here’s some advice that will help you prepare for your appointment:
Clear your schedule for the day
You will need to take in a lot of information, such as learning how to use the hearing aid, how to insert and remove it, instructions on how to care for the device and how to change the device’s battery. All this is included in your appointment to fit your hearing aid, so make sure you don’t have anything else planned on the day. Plus, try to schedule the appointment at a time when your brain is the most receptive to receiving new information.
Arrange to attend with a friend or member of family
It is a good idea to ask a family member or friend to come to the meeting. You will have a second opinion on hearing aids and the way they look, as well as someone else to ask any questions that might not have crossed your mind. That person can also note important information or recall things your hearing practitioner tells you that you might need to remember further down the line.
Know what is important to you
Take a while to share ideas with a friend about your priorities when it comes to hearing. It will help to consider the situations in which you find it most difficult to hear as these are the times where you probably need a hearing aid the most. Do you have a hard time hearing in background noise? Is it hard to follow a conversation when you are with friends at the cafe? By being aware of the situations where you need the most help, you’ll help your hearing aid professional to program your hearing aids to perform best in these circumstances.
Understand what to expect during the meeting
If this is your first pair of hearing aids, read up on what to expect during a hearing aid fitting. It is usually a good idea to prepare yourself for what will take place. It wont be as simple as inserting the hearing aid into your ear, it will little more complicated.
The purpose of the meeting is to evaluate the fit of your hearing aids and to make any chances that might suit your particular hearing loss better. Your audiologist will also take advantage of this opportunity to discuss how to care for and remove your hearing aids correctly. By knowing what to expect beforehand, you will feel more at ease during the meeting itself.
Write down a list of questions
You can quickly get distracted by what happens during a hearing aid fitting, and you might not remember to ask all those important questions you had thought about before the meeting. So it pays to write down and take the list of questions with you so that you don’t forget to ask them. By getting all the information you need from your practitioner, you will leave the office in a great position to take full advantage of your hearing aids.
Here’s a short list of questions that you may want to ask at your meeting:
- How often should I clean my hearing aids?
- How often should I wear my hearing aids in the beginning?
- What should I do if I don’t like the way they sound?
- How do I use all the features on my hearing aid?
- Should I book a follow-up appointment today?
- What is covered by the warranty?
Dr. Hear
Is it time for you to manage your hearing loss? We offer hearing tests, a full range of hearing aids and have them fitted by our friendly and professional team. If you’re ready to make a decision that will help keep you connected with friends, family and wider world, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hear today.