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The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Jun 26, 2022 | Replies (45)Comment receiving replies
Read my post about the BiCros aids I am wearing (actually a receiver and an aid). I am happy with my current devices. They have been reprogrammed and tweaked many times along with trialing the best molds for my bilateral profound hearing loss.
I don’t know if you have explained to your audiologist why they don’t work for you or have had any adjustments done. You don’t normally just purchase them and go without some sort of tweaking. Two people with the exact same audiogram will need entirely different adjustments .
You need to explain to the Audi as precisely as you can what the problem is, what kind of sounds you are hearing or not hearing, what situations they work well in and where they don’t. It might be that another brand is better suited for you. I tried Oticons recently and knew where they failed compared to my Phonaks and where they shined. I think our brains become use to one brand so I always good back to the Phonaks.
My Audi is an exceptionally good and patient programmer. That is so important.
My thoughts from a 40 plus user of hearing aids….
FL Mary
Replies to "@ksly008 Read my post about the BiCros aids I am wearing (actually a receiver and an..."
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Thank you for your wisdom and experience sharing Mary. My experience mirrors yours quite a bit.
It's so important to have a provider that is willing to work with you when things aren't as expected. Everyone is different. Unfortunately, one of the similarities among people who are struggling with hearing loss is to be frustrated and displeased with the product and the provider.
Many whom I know have been very happy with hearing aids fit and provided by big box retailers like Costco. Others are not. The training of the fitter is extremely important as is that person's patience with the frustrated hearing aid buyer.
And yes, every person's hearing loss is unique. Some are far easier to fit than others. That's where the experience of the fitter comes in big. It's also where issues that go beyond basic hearing loss might be in play.
Fitting hearing aids properly is a skill, particularly when the person being fitted has a unique loss. Most progressive hearing loss is caused by noise exposure, drug interactions, or normal aging. However, it can sometimes be caused by medical issues that need treatment aside from hearing technology.
The audiology profession has had to adapt to a lot of changes. It's important for all of us to know that some of the fitters/providers have doctorate level degrees in the field, they are AuD (Doctors of Audiology), others may have a master's degree and be identified with the letters MS-CCCA or MA-CCCA for master's degree certified clinical competence in audiology.
Many who work as assistants or at the big box stores have far less education and are called 'hearing instrument specialists'. HIS requires no college degree at all, but training in the field as an apprentice.
If a person's hearing loss is not complex, basic amplification may be all that is needed. However, if it is more advanced and unique it may need many adjustments before it feels right.
Important though, is to understand that hearing aids do not 'cure' hearing loss. They do not fully correct it either. They are 'aids' to better hearing. People who adjust to using them usually find they are extremely helpful, and greatly missed when not available.
How do you react to suggestions provided by your provider? How does your provider react to the concerns you express at your appointment(s).