Hear Well Again Centers

Audiology, Hearing Aids and web assisted fitting

Assisting

If a hearing aid is necessary and recommended by the audiologist, this new prospective wearer may have trepidation about being fitted. That is why a 30-day trial period is so important. Remind this person that he or she doesn't have to make a decision to keep the hearing aid(s) until 30 days after being fitted. However, he or she must be willing to try. Patience and motivation and investing in better hearing are major requirements for successfully wearing hearing aids.

When this person is fit with amplification, you can be very beneficial in assisting him. Your continued support is critical. To my chagrin, it has been my experience that too many family members and friends feel their involvement ends at the point where a hearing aid(s) is fitted. This is one of the main reasons a person trying amplification for the first time may fail to adapt properly.

The hearing aid wearer is trying to improve communication with others. In some complex listening environments he or she is able to meet others only halfway in this improvement. He or she must be constantly aware of the limitations of hearing aids, especially those equipped with simple hearing aid technology. Others need to be cognizant of these limitations and change their behaviors to accommodate these limitations. These limitations have been outlined in previous chapters. Interested family members and friends need to review these limitations.

The hearing aid wearer can be helped if others:

· Look directly at him when they are talking.

· Talk one beat slower (not exaggerated).

· Become cognizant of the interference caused by background sounds and decrease the distance between themselves and the person wearing the hearing aid.

· Reduce background sounds by

a.) closing the car windows while talking,

b.) shutting the door in a busy office,

c.) pressing the "mute" button on the TV remote

control during conversations.

d.) suggest that socialization take place in more listener friendly restaurants or meeting places. (environments with less background noise)

· Avoid starting a conversation in a noisy environment such as a busy hallway or sidewalk.

· Repeat when asked by the person wearing the hearing aid (repeat only once and then rephrase differently).

· Include this person in conversations.

PERSISTENCE AND PRACTICE WILL ENSURE SUCCESS .

The new hearing aid wearer and his family and friends will need to be persistent and practice the suggestions just outlined. In time, these suggestions for changes in communications behavior will become part of the everyday routine. As these changes are internalized, communication among all involved will be dramatically improved and everyday life will become much more enjoyable.

The information contained on this web site, is presented for the purpose of educating people on hearing loss, amplification, and balance disorders. Nothing contained on this web site should be construed nor is intended to be used for specific medical diagnosis or treatment and it should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. Should you have any health care related questions, please call or see your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet or fitness program. In case of emergency, call 911.