What to expect when you are getting your hearing aids

The results and experience from the hearing assessment help determine which hearing aids each individual needs. We have access to some of the world’s best hearing aids in Norway, so how do you choose the right type of hearing aid? Hearing loss must be present, but there are several other aspects of a person’s life that are important to consider when selecting and fitting hearing aids.

The first thing that needs to be established is motivation to use hearing aids in everyday life. Low motivation will most likely lead to limited use of the hearing aids, with the devices eventually ending up in a drawer. Good motivation to use hearing aids will most likely lead to daily use and a more successful hearing aid experience.

A successful hearing aid fitting, combined with good training and guidance, can also increase motivation to use hearing aids. Regardless, we recommend that everyone with hearing loss have a trial period with hearing aids. Many people are pleasantly surprised by the benefits they experience and the improvement in their quality of life.

Good hearing makes it easier to communicate with other people

• The audiologist must take each individual’s lifestyle into consideration. The audiologist therefore has a responsibility to identify the person’s needs. This is why it is important to carry out a thorough assessment of the individual’s everyday life.

  • Which listening situations do you find challenging?

    • One-to-one conversations? Conversations in noise? Conversations from a distance?

  • What age group are you in?

    • Are you cognitively healthy, or have you been diagnosed with dementia?

    • Are you working, studying, or retired?

  • Are you socially active in everyday life, or do you spend most of your time at home?

  • What leisure activities do you take part in?

    • Do you spend a lot of time outdoors?

    • Do you frequently attend meetings?

    • Are you physically active and exercise regularly?

    • Do you often go to the theatre or church?

    • Do you listen to audiobooks or watch a lot of TV?

  • What is the condition of your ear canals?

    • Do you have a lot of earwax?

    • Do you experience a lot of itching in your ear canals?

    • Do you have narrow, medium-sized, or large ear canals?

  • Which mobile phone do you use, and do you find phone conversations challenging?

  • Do you experience noticeable tinnitus?

  • Do you wear glasses?

  • Do you need a hearing loop or Auracast?

  • Do you have difficulty hearing the TV, especially when watching with others?

  • Do you need other hearing-related assistive devices at home or at work?

  • How are your vision, shoulder mobility, and finger dexterity when it comes to operating your hearing aids?

  
  

A good hearing assesment gives better options for a good choice of solution

 These questions are important when assessing the need for:

• Choosing the right hearing aid manufacturer to ensure the appropriate amplification and the best possible sound experience.

• Hearing aids with or without a telecoil, or is Auracast more important?

• Finding hearing aids that are compatible with the user’s mobile phone for direct streaming of phone calls.

• Finding hearing aids that can also help reduce the perception of tinnitus.

• Determining whether additional equipment and other hearing-related assistive devices are necessary, such as:

  • External microphones or TV streamers

  • Roger On Mic or Roger equipment for work or school

  • A mobile app or remote control to adjust the hearing aids as needed

  • Fire alarms, speech amplifiers, doorbell alerts, or alarm clock alerts

• Choosing the right type of hearing aid for ease of use, or determining whether someone else needs to operate the hearing aids on your behalf:

  • Rechargeable hearing aids or replaceable batteries?

  • Custom-moulded ear tips or dome-style eartips?

• Choosing the right type of hearing aid for the best fit on the outer ear and in the ear canal:

  • Ensuring that the hearing aids and eartips are easy to insert and stay securely in place.

  • Avoiding itching and discomfort in the ear canal.

  • Should custom-moulded eartips be ordered, or should a dome solution be used?

• The need for mobile home visits or remote hearing aid adjustments.

• Maintenance of hearing aids and eartip solutions in relation to your level of dexterity and ability to manage them independently.

To be able to make a good conversation with other people is important for all of us

It is important to remember that getting hearing aids is not equally straightforward for everyone. It may require close collaboration with an audiologist to find the right solution. Often, you need to take the hearing aids home and try them out in your everyday life. If something does not work as expected, you bring those concerns back to your audiologist. Through this collaboration, you can arrive at the best solutions for everyday life with hearing aids.

At AudioPlus, we use this assessment as a standard part of our process when fitting new hearing aids or assisting people who are not experiencing the full benefit of their hearing aids.

Do you feel that you are missing a thorough assessment and follow-up of your hearing and hearing aids? Feel free to contact us at AudioPlus by calling 990 99 779 or via https://www.audioplus.no/bestill-time