How to Find a (Great!) Hearing Clinic
Hearing aids work wonders in enhancing your ability to hear. When properly fitted and programmed, they can significantly improve your understanding of speech in both quiet and noisy environments. It's no surprise that they are an integral part of exceptional hearing care. On the other hand, without proper hearing care, hearing aids may end up being costly devices that are rarely used and provide limited benefits.
The Clinician
Hearing aids can be dispensed by an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist. An audiologist is a professional trained in prevention, assessment and treatment of auditory dysfunction for all ages. An audiologist is a regulated health professional and is authorized to prescribe and fit hearing aids. The minimum education for an audiologist is a master’s degree (minimum six years of university education). An audiologist is the most qualified individual you can see for your hearing treatment.
A hearing instrument specialist is trained to assess hearing and fit hearing aids for adults with typical kinds of hearing loss. The education for a hearing instrument specialist is a college diploma (two years of college education). Read more about the differences between audiologists and hearing instrument specialists here.
The Assessment
An in-depth and thorough hearing assessment and hearing aid consult requires time. Your hearing provider should have a comprehensive understanding of your hearing history, challenges, needs, and test results. Additionally, there may be funding opportunities available for hearing aids that you might not be aware of, and your provider can bring these to your attention. With numerous excellent device options available, it's important for you to understand the recommendations made to you.
A comprehensive hearing test takes time and should not be rushed
Hearing Aid Fitting
Part of your success with hearing aids involves the fit of your hearing aids. This includes the physical fit in your ear and comfort while wearing it. The other part of the fit is the sound. Hearing aids should not be programmed to what feels "best” to you. Very likely, what will sound “best” when starting off with hearing aids is whatever is closest to how you hear right now. To maximize your benefit from hearing aids, an audiologist needs to program them to your hearing loss prescription. This should be done accurately using real ear measurement. Surprisingly, only 30% of hearing care providers do real ear measurement.
Real ear measurement needs to be done to ensure your hearing aids are meeting prescriptive targets
Hearing Aid Services
Hearing aids require ongoing care and maintenance to function optimally. This means that you need to come in for routine appointments and adjustments. If you are purchasing hearing aids and ongoing care is not recommended, your hearing aids are unlikely to continue working well for you long-term. Pricing is sometimes “bundled”, where that service is paid for with your devices, or “unbundled” where you pay a fee for each appointment. Ensure that long-term care is recommended wherever you purchase your devices.
Outcome Assessment
Your initial goals and challenges for hearing need to be considered to ensure that treatment has been successful. Are you continuing to face hearing challenges? Are other assistive listening devices being used if required? Are the hearing aids meeting your listening needs?
The Convenience
Hearing treatment requires ongoing appointments and care. The location needs to be accessible enough for you to get to your appointments. There needs to be enough availability in your clinician’s schedule for adjustments over time. Ideally, you want to be able to book appointments at a time of day that is convenient for you. Make sure you consider whether or not you will be able to access ongoing hearing aid services.
Are your looking for hearing care services in Almaguin or Muskoka? Book a consult and see how we can help.
