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Do You Know Hearing Aid Options to Consider Prior to Purchase?
If hearing aids are a part of your life or soon will be, it's important to be aware of options available before you purchase them. Advertisements are misleading and often lead to disappointment due to unrealistic expectations. Ads also tend to focus on products being 'smaller' when 'better' is what we want and need. Be aware. Do you think that focus promotes the stigma that prevents people with hearing loss from getting hearing help?
Hearing aids vary in price. Those that are prescriptive cost considerably more than those sold 'over the counter'. (OTC). Help depends on your type of hearing loss, the degree of loss, and other factors that are diagnosed when appropriate testing is done by hearing healthcare professionals. It is wise to have that testing done if you feel your hearing isn't what it used to be. That is true even if you decide to go with OTC options because your hearing loss is mild.
Prescriptive hearing aids have come a long way in the last decade. If you live an active life, you will want options such as Telecoils and Auracast built into them. These options connect you with Assistive Listening Systems that bring audio clarity directly to your ears by minimizing the negative effects of distance, noise and reverberation in meetings and events where you have to understand to participate. They can help even in the 'cocktail party environment’ where it’s difficult to socialize! Don’t let providers tell you these options are old technology or too new for you to use. Ask for them and insist on them being demonstrated for you.
Not all prescriptive hearing aids have those options. Not all providers share information about them or explain how best to use them even when they are included in a product. You will benefit from doing some research on your own. Talk to people who use hearing aids successfully. Ask questions of providers. Test any product you are fitted with during the required trial period that comes with purchase in every possible situation.
Communication access, which is mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act in many venues, happens only when people who benefit from it do the advocacy needed to get it installed. Our disability is invisible. We have to be upfront about it.
If remaining in the hearing mainstream is important to you, take time to learn as much as you can. http://www.centerforhearingaccess.org is a place to learn more about communication access. http://www.hearingloss.org is a place to learn how to accept hearing loss and become an advocate.
It is up to those of us who live with hearing loss to live well with it.
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Hi, There are places that offer demos so you can try a hearing aid first and see what you are "shopping" for. It is clear that not all hearing aids operate and sound the same. It is hard to listen to them online because they sound different depending on how you wear them in your ear, the size of your canal, your particular hearing loss, and your preferences. Google Demo of hearing aids and see what you can find. I do know one online store that offers a demo process called Hears Hearing & Hearables.
@kefishman & All: It's important to understand the provider's policies. This means asking questions and reading the fine print. That's true especially if you decide to purchase over the counter products.
With prescriptive devices, providers are required to include a trial period after appropriate fitting of hearing instruments. That timeline can vary, so it is important for the 'consumer' to ask questions and understand that provider's policy.
In most professional offices, the time allowed for trial is between 30 - 45 days. In some big box stores such as Costco, that trial period is longer. Regardless of time allowed it is important for YOU, the 'consumer' to try that product in all possible locations where you want to hear. Theater, worship center, social settings, meetings, card groups, etc. etc. Take notes on how well it works where so at a follow up appointment you can explain that to the provider.
We don't like it that hearing instruments cost so much, but they do. So, we want to get a product that works well for us. Only we know what that is.
IMPORTANT: If a hearing instrument is returned even a single day after the agreed upon trial period, it's unlikely you can return it for a refund. You should always be able to get help from the provider with re setting and testing. Be proactive. This is a medical device that is sold like a consumer product.
How much advance research do you do when you need to purchase an appliance? A computer? A car? Seriously, it's important to be as informed as possible and to also trust the provider you work with.
@julieo4 I am a provider. That is why we offer demos in our clinic and have an online store. I think more people need to understand that all devices are different and what they are getting when they do go to Costco, which is a one-size-fits-all type mentality. And maybe it will work for that person, maybe it won't. And there are used and consignment aids available. We need more education for our consumers and to be advocates. Thanks, P.S. You can return during the return process. If the provider charges for her time, that is not refundable if the service has been provided.
Just a thought, how many seniors reading these messages have had the vaccine for Shingells? Given that many school age children have not been immunized and those kids could be your grandchildren or other children you may come into contact with. These kids if they have chickenpox can easily bring on a case if shingells in an adult who is not protected.