3 Things to Ask Your Hearing Aid Dispenser about Hearing Aids

After conducting a hearing or auditory test, your hearing instrument specialist (HIS) would diagnose your hearing loss and recommend getting hearing aids to help you hear better in your everyday routine. Getting hearing aids should be exciting, especially because of their useful and amazing benefits. But it can quickly become a stressful process, especially if it is your first time getting them and you’re wondering what kind of hearing aid would work best for you.

As the time for your hearing aid fitting draws nearer, it’s perfectly natural to have questions for your HIS, who would be ready to provide you with sound advice and tips designed to prepare you for wearing hearing aids. If you are unclear on what to ask, here are a few important questions to ask before your fitting.

How Often Should I Wear My Hearing Aids?

If you are new to wearing hearing aids, it’s wise to ask your hearing instrument specialist how long and often you should wear your hearing aids each day. Most people decide to wear their hearing aids for extended periods in a day. However, your HIS may ask you to find a schedule that works for you, as it may take some time for you to get used to hearing sounds around you.

As time passes, you would have to increase the day’s duration to help your brain adjust and adapt to the hearing aids. Once you get used to your hearing aids, you can choose to use them as and when needed. However, it is important to note that if you go days or weeks without your hearing aids in a row, you will have to go through the acclimatization process over again.

Will My Health Insurance Cover Hearing Aids and Fittings?

General medical insurance typically does not cover hearing aids and fittings. But some insurance companies may offer optional dental, hearing or vision plans that may cover hearing tests and hearing aid fittings. For any further information on insurance, it would be best you ask your insurer or your hearing instrument specialist.

If your insurance doesn’t cover fittings, alternative payment methods are worth checking out. Some hearing instrument specialists offer financing by allowing you to pay monthly installments with interest. You can also apply for credit for credible credit institutions or seek financial assistance from a charitable organization or family and friends.

If your hearing loss is a work-related incident, you are entitled to workers’ compensation to help defray the cost of hearing aids. You must check out all these payment options to find the one that best supports your budget.

What Type of Hearing Aids Should I Get?

Finding the right hearing aid depends on the intensity of your hearing loss, your lifestyle and the

esthetics. There are two basic hearing aids: the in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids and the behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids.

ITE aids are worn in the outer bowl and are usually customized to fit your canal comfortably. Most of these aids come in different skin tones to help blend in with your outer ear. They are also less visible. However, others are situated much closer to your outer ear.

BTE aids are typically placed above or behind the ear with a short tube that redirects sound down into your ear canals through a customized earmold. Like ITE, BTE also come in various colors and skin tones to match your hair or complexion. They also come in brighter colors, which is great if your hearing aid matches your personality.

Both ITE and BTE aids come with batteries that must be replaced between three to 20 days. If that’s too cumbersome for you, some aids come with rechargeable batteries.

Are You Ready for Your Hearing Aid Fitting?

An upcoming hearing aid fitting is the perfect time to ask all your questions to help clear any doubts in your mind. You can also ask your hearing instrument specialist other questions concerning what you need to bring to a fitting and how to care for your hearing aids. You can also conduct research before going into your fitting.

Don’t hesitate to ask your hearing dispenser any questions. They are there to help you make the most out of your hearing aids. To learn more about hearing aids and fittings, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Armand’s Hearing Center at Bradenton Office (941) 357-2054 and Sun City Office (813) 990-0335.