Hearing Instruments: Taking the “HUH” out of the equation
By Michele Spector, Au.D., CCC-A, Clinical Audiologist, Hearing Clinic of Greater New Orleans, New Orleans LIVING WELL Magazine
As a hearing care professional, we do not rely solely on the 15-minute hearing test done in the booth in order to prescribe a hearing aid that is best for the patient. We want to know about our patient’s daily activities. Common questions we ask include:
- Do you go out to eat often?
- Do you like to watch television?
- Do you talk on the phone frequently?
- Are you a part of any clubs, go to meetings, or go to places of worship?
These questions help us determine what level of hearing aid technology will best fit your lifestyle. From the outside, all the hearing aids look the same. It is the computer chip placed inside the hearing instrument that provides its level of technology and advance features.
Hearing instruments are not like glasses. Most patients do not automatically adjust to their hearing aids immediately. There are sounds they have not heard in years that may sound different or unpleasant at first. As the parts of the brain that control hearing and understanding adapt to the new sounds, they become more natural and clear. Getting fitted with hearing instruments is just one part of the management plan. It may take three to five sound quality adjustments after the initial fit of the instruments before a patient acclimates to the hearing instruments. As a hearing care professional, we need our patient’s feedback, both positive and negative, in order to apply the appropriate changes.
Expect you will need routine cleanings and check-ups for the hearing instruments every three months, in addition to an annual hearing evaluation.
Dr. Michele Spector is the audiologist and owner of Hearing Clinic of Greater New Orleans, LLC. Services provided at the clinic include hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and custom hearing protection. For more information about hearing loss or hearing aids, please call 504-301-1271.
