Better Hearing Month has arrived, and with it, we can hopefully get outside more and get a head start on summer.
Part of summer is all the wonderful sounds of birds chirping, people playing in the park, and sizzling BBQs. We want to ensure you are hearing your best, and we know there are a lot of options out there to offer this help.
Due to the pandemic, more and more people are looking for options where they don’t have to leave their homes for treatment. I have been getting a lot of questions regarding online hearing devices.
In short, they are personal sound amplifiers that can be bought online and delivered to your door. You may have seen ads promoting these and wondered about them. As hearing care experts, we have the answers.
Pitfalls of Online Hearing Devices
For most of our patients, online hearing devices are not a good fit. Most patients in general need and want additional guidance on how to best utilize their hearing aid.
Adapting to these devices can be tricky as well. Typically, we’ll need to start you off at a slightly lower setting than your prescription and gradually increase the volume when you are ready.
This may take several visits to do this. If someone has a mild loss, only wants basic amplification, and is extremely tech-savvy, then an online hearing device may be an option.
The initial investment of an online hearing device can be much less expensive, but often, in the long run, it can cost you more.
If you must go to your local audiologist for adjustments, fitting help, or any other appointments regarding your devices, there will be a fee since you did not get the devices from them.
These things can add up and may end up costing you more than if you had just purchased the devices from your local audiologist utilizing your insurance.
Your best bet is to visit with your local audiologist, have them check your insurance benefit, and see what they have available for you first.
Advantages of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids have been around for a long time, and the technology and dedication have never wavered.
We complete a thorough evaluation and diagnostic of your hearing to get to the root problem to find the perfect hearing aid for you.
Whether it’s a medical issue or due to your daily surroundings, our assessment will identify this.
Hearing aids are fit and tested on your ears to assure that the fitting is accurate and personalized.
Instructions on care and maintenance of the devices are provided, as well as several orientation visits to slowly acclimate you toward hearing again. This gives your brain time to acclimate to the noisy world we live in.
Ongoing follow-up care for regular preventative maintenance is to assure that you are always hearing the way that you should be.
Yearly testing to review your prescription for accuracy is also recommended to address any hearing changes.
What You Should Do If You Experience A Hearing Loss
The first step is to get your hearing checked. I have often seen patients who put off getting their hearing checked, and it can be something as simple as earwax causing their problem.
Don’t wait – get it checked out. The majority of patients who do end up getting help tell us they wish they hadn’t waited so long.
To make an appointment, click here.
Have a wonderful day!
