Avalon Hearing Aid Center, Inc.

(916) 930-6347

Choosing a Hearing Aid Provider

The average American struggles seven

to ten years with a hearing loss before

getting the help he or she needs. People

often do not know who to turn to for help.

They are hesitant to do anything about

their hearing because they do not know

who to trust.

The first step in seeking better hearing is to admit you may

have a hearing problem. The second step is to have a thorough

hearing test.

In the state of California, Licensed Hearing Aid Dispensers test

hearing for the purpose of fitting hearing aids. This testing is not

considered a medical evaluation. Should your case history or

initial hearing test indicate a medical problem, you would

immediately be referred to a doctor for medical attention.

The hearing test is usually done as a complimentary service

with no charge to the client. Hearing aids are typically fit through

a “retail model” of dispensing.

Audiologists, on the other hand, are extensively trained for

diagnostic testing. Many but not all audiologists hold two licenses

- one for diagnostic testing and the other for the fitting of hearing

Avalon Hearing Aid Center, Inc.

(916) 930-6347

aids. The price of this testing ranges from $75-$150, and hearing

aids are usually fit through a “medical model” of dispensing.

Whether you choose to work with a licensed hearing aid

dispenser or a licensed audiologist, (I’ll refer to them both as

Hearing Health Providers for the remainder of the column), the

success of your fitting requires four important ingredients. The

ingredients for a successful fitting are:

1) A motivated and informed client 2) The right hearing aid technology 3) A completely competent and caring practitioner 4) A supportive family

If one of these ingredients is missing or even weak, it

compromises your fitting. So let’s review each so that you can be

informed!

A motivated and informed client-No matter what type of

hearing loss you have, you must want to hear better and

therefore, be willing to go through some changes. Learning to

hear through amplification takes an adjustment period. For most,

this period lasts four to six weeks but can take up to several

months for some people.

Your attitude and willingness make a tremendous difference in

how well you’ll adjust to hearing instruments. Also, learn all you

can about hearing loss…your specific hearing loss. Attend local

seminars or classes and read up on hearing loss in general. Be

sure to get at least two opinions before you invest in hearing

instruments.

Avalon Hearing Aid Center, Inc.

(916) 930-6347

The right hearing aid technology-Selecting the right hearing aid

circuit for your hearing loss is crucial. In the past, too many

people were fit with hearing aids that were pure amplifiers,

making everything louder but not necessarily clearer. Selecting

the proper technology takes into account your unique hearing

loss, your lifestyle requirements and even your budget.

Competent and caring provider-The person who fits your

hearing instruments must be competent in two areas: people

skills and technical knowledge. It is important that the provider

understands your problems and takes the time to learn about you

and your needs. Be sure you feel comfortable with this person

since you will be working closely with them.

Secondly, the provider must demonstrate a high degree of

technical expertise during the testing and follow-up care. When

you come in with a legitimate complaint about your new fitting,

you want to feel confident that the provider will know what to do

to help you. A successful fitting actually begins after the delivery

of the hearing instruments.

Talking about providers, many people believe that they have to

stay within their HMO when being fitted with hearing aids. Close

to eighty percent of people do not have a hearing aid benefit.

Your HMO may pay for your hearing test but the actual cost of

the hearing devices is usually not covered. Therefore, you, as a

consumer, have much more freedom to choose who you want to

work with. Again, get a least two opinions.

Avalon Hearing Aid Center, Inc.

(916) 930-6347

Supportive Family-Hearing loss affects everyone in the family.

That’s why it’s important that a family member or spouse be

present during the hearing test, the decision to invest in hearing

instruments and even some of the follow-up care. The most

motivated client fit with the best technology by an extremely

competent and caring hearing aid provider can fail miserably IF

they do not have a supportive and informed family.

Next month, in part two of “Choosing a Hearing aid provider”

you will receive helpful tips on how to determine if you are

choosing the right person to help you with your hearing.

For More Information Call Us (916) 930-6347 at

or visit http://hearing-aids-sacramento-ca.com