Hearing Loss Education Center

Connecting people to a world of sound
 
Hearing Loss Education Center
Hearing & Hearing Loss Screening & Testing Treatment with Hearing Aids Hearing Aid Styles Hearing Aid Technologies Candidates for Hearing Aids The Process of Acquiring a Hearing Aid Insurance & Reimbursement Daily Life with a Hearing Aid Advanced Treatments for Hearing Loss Communication & Language Choosing the Right Treatment Resources
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The Process of Acquiring a Hearing Aid

Hearing aid selection and programming are based on your hearing loss, the shape of your ear and your lifestyle.  The process of acquiring your personal hearing aid will require visits with a licensed hearing professional before, during and after receiving your hearing aid.

It is important to mention that you may sometimes see ads that say you can buy a hearing aid without being examined. This is not wise. It is in your interest to have a thorough exam by a licensed practitioner, who specializes in the functions of the ear and hearing loss, before getting a hearing aid. This can help rule out any treatable causes for hearing loss, and makes sure you receive the best advice on the type and style of hearing aid that is most appropriate for your personal needs.

Before getting a hearing aid

Seeing the doctor or hearing healthcare professional

If you think you may have a hearing problem, it is important to see a specialist, usually an audiologist, hearing healtcare provider or an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor) for a complete evaluation to find out if you are a candidate for hearing aids.

Exam & tests – When you visit the doctor, the exam may include the following :

  • an exam of the external and middle ear 
  • various tests of hearing, such as an audiogram, to determine the type and amount of hearing loss

Evaluation & consultation

If a hearing aid is appropriate, you will be scheduled for an “evaluation and fitting” appointment.  Contact a hearing professional to schedule a hearing test.

You may want to bring a relative or friend to this appointment since you will get a lot of information on the types and styles of hearing aids.  A "second set of ears" can help you remember the various options discussed.

At the appointment, you may decide which hearing aid to purchase, or you may want some additional time to think over your choices.

Seeing the doctor

Getting a hearing aid

Choosing the aid

Once you and your hearing-aid provider agree on the appropriate style, type, and brand of your hearing aid (based on your hearing loss, needs, and personal preferences), the fitting and making of your hearing aid begins.

Custom “casting”

An impression or cast of your ear canal(s) is taken if it will be custom fit. The cast is sent to a facility that makes your hearing aid (usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks). You may also have additional testing to define your hearing loss further.

Fitting

When your aid is ready, you return for your fitting appointment. At that time your provider will:

  • Fit the aid(s) to your ear(s) and tune the aid(s) to your specific hearing loss and preferences.
  • Instruct you on the use and care for your hearing aid.
  • If possible, bring along someone to this appointment, so a second person can help you remember how to use and care for your aid.
Seeing the doctor

After getting a hearing aid

Adaption

In the U.S., many states recommend or require a trial period for hearing aid purchases. To get the most out of your adaption period you should:

  • Wear the hearing aid as much as possible.
  • Use the hearing aid in as many sound settings as possible.
  • Make notes of situations where sounds do not seem right
  • If you are having problems, go back to your provider for adjustments

Follow-up

Within a few weeks, you will have a follow-up appointment when your provider will check:

  • Your progress in wearing and using the aid
  • What sounds you hear (with the aid) and if “fine-tuning” is needed.
  • How well you understand the use and care of your hearing aids.

Long-term use

Keep in mind that adapting to hearing aids takes time, patience, and commitment.

  • They do not restore normal hearing.
  • It’s best to use your hearing aids daily—not just for special occasions.
  • It takes a while for your ear and brain to re-learn how to hear new sounds, especially when hearing loss has occurred over a long time.
  • If sounds continue to not seem right, contact your hearing-aid provider to discuss your concerns, get more training, or receive additional adjustments.

After getting a hearing aid


  
   

Hearing Loss

For hearing loss, refers to less than average ability to hear and understand sounds due to one or more parts of the hearing system not working properly.

Hearing Loss

For hearing loss, refers to problems hearing in both ears, not just one.

Hearing Loss

For hearing loss, refers to problems hearing in one, but not both ears

Mild Hearing Loss

People with mild hearing loss have some difficulty following speech, mainly in noisy situations; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 25 and 39 decibels (a standard measure of sound)

Moderate Hearing Loss

People with moderate hearing loss have difficulty following speech without a hearing aid; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 40 and 69 decibels (a standard measure of sound).

Severe Hearing Loss

People with severe hearing loss get help from powerful hearing aids, but often rely on lip-reading even when using an aid; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 70 and 89 decibels (a standard measure of sound).

Profound Hearing Loss

People with profound hearing loss mostly rely on lip-reading and/or sign language; the quietest sounds heard in their better ear average from 90 decibels or louder (a standard measure of sound).

Otosclerosis

A disease in which bone grows abnormally in the middle ear preventing structures within the ear from working properly and causing hearing loss.

Cochlea

Part of the ear that contains both the organ of hearing (the cochlea) and the organ of balance (the labyrinth).

Feedback

A high-pitched, sometime painful, whistling sound that occurs when a microphone picks up sound from a nearby speaker and replays it again and again (commonly occurs when a poorly fitting hearing aid earmold allows sound to “leak” from the speaker back into the microphone).

Assisstive Listening Devices

Electronic devices or accessories for hearing aids that provide extra help in specific listening situations (telephone, noisy backgrounds, small or large group settings, etc.).

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss due to failure of the auditory nerve, also called nerve deafness.

Mastoid Bone

A portion of the lower skull bone that contains the inner ear.

Rehabilitation

For individuals who previously experienced hearing and get a cochlear implant, the comprehensive training program that “re-teaches” them how to hear and interpret sounds, to recover any lost speech skills, and to properly use the cochlear implant speech processor and controls.

Habilitation

For individuals who had not previously experience hearing and get a cochlear implant, the comprehensive training program that teaches them to hear and interpret sounds, to develop or improve speech skills, and to properly use the cochlear implant speech processor and controls.

Coverage

For health insurance, coverage involves making sure a health plan or policy pays for the cochlear implant device and related professional services (for example, physician and audiology services). Usually, you go through a preauthorization process. This means getting a guarantee from the health insurance plan that they will pay for the implant and services before getting treatment.

Billing

For health insurance, billing involves the process by which health care providers charge, code, and submit their bills (in the form of a claim) to the health insurance company or plan.

Payment

For health insurance, payment involves getting the full amount allowed for services given a health plan’s limitations, allowables, deductibles, and co-payments.

Menieres

A disorder of the fluid volume of the inner ear that can cause hearing loss, dizziness/vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and/or pressure or pain in ear.

Meningitis

a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation and swelling of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord; among possible serious complications are hearing loss or deafness.

Mumps

a viral infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands; sometimes spreads to central nervous system which can result in hearing loss.

Measles

a viral infection that causes rash, fever, and cold-like symptoms; sometimes causes complications like ear or brain infections which can result in hearing loss.

Unilateral

on one side, but not the other; used to describe a type of hearing loss in which there is normal or somewhat impaired hearing in one ear and little or no hearing in the other ear.

Unilateral Hearing Loss

condition in which one ear has little or no hearing ability and the other ear has normal or close to normal hearing. Also referred to as Single Sided Deafness (SSD).

Osseointegration

the natural process of bone growing into the titanium fixtures creating a direct connection between an artificial implant and living bone.