Hearing Aid Dispensing
One-type-fits-all hearing aids are a thing of the past.
Today’s hearing aids are dynamic in fit, style, size, shape and function. Different types of hearing aids offer wearers different features and benefits.
Because the world of hearing aids has become so diverse, getting your hearing aids from a professional audiologist is vital to ensuring you’re enjoying the full benefits of your devices.
Pinnacle ENT Associates is a licensed dispenser of hearing aids and accessories, allowing our patients to get a complete range of hearing services within our modern specialty hearing center.
Once your hearing loss has been assessed and diagnosed, you will work with your audiologist to choose the perfect pair of hearing devices for your needs. Once you’ve determined which hearing aids are right for you, it is time to order your devices, which will be custom created for your ears.
Hearing Aid Fitting
When your audiologist recommends hearing aids, selection is only the beginning of the process. Equally important is the fitting, which involves programming your hearing aids and making adjustments to provide the correct levels of amplification for your particular hearing loss. Counseling is a necessary step to ensure you have realistic expectations, and is crucial for long-term success.
The hearing aid fitting process
Before you ever put on hearing aids, you’ll receive counseling to prepare you for this change in your lifestyle. While hearing aids will undoubtedly improve your communication abilities, it is important to understand they are not a cure for hearing loss, and do have certain limitations. Learning what to expect beforehand will help you achieve the maximum benefit from your devices.
When you receive your hearing aids, you will need to schedule a fitting appointment to make sure they are programmed to the optimum settings for your specific hearing needs.
Your audiologist at Pinnacle ENT Associates will check the physical fit to make sure they are comfortable. They will then be programmed and adjusted based on your hearing loss and lifestyle needs. The hearing aids will be placed in your ears and turned on, allowing your audiologist to measure the volume levels to ensure that you are hearing the full range of sounds properly.
What will you learn during your hearing aid consultation?
Your audiologist will then discuss care and maintenance of your hearing aids. You will learn how to use them correctly and make adjustments for different hearing environments, insert and remove them, change the batteries and clean and care for them properly. You will also learn tips and strategies for better communication.
A follow-up visit will be scheduled a few weeks after your initial fitting. During this appointment, your audiologist will fine-tune and adjust your hearing aids as needed and answer any questions you may have. It may take a while to adjust your hearing aids to their maximum effectiveness, so additional fitting appointments may be needed.
Hearing Aid Repairs
Hearing aids are built to provide many years of useful service. However, regular exposure to a harsh environment means they will occasionally encounter problems. No matter how fastidious you are when it comes to hygiene, the ear canals inevitably attract dirt, moisture and earwax buildup – all of which can wreak havoc with the electronic components in your hearing aids.
Regular maintenance can help keep them in great working condition, but once in a while, they may need servicing or repair. Pinnacle ENT Associates can help. If you have tried the troubleshooting tips below and still can’t get your hearing aids to work properly, please contact us to schedule an evaluation.
Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aids
If your hearing aids aren’t working properly, try the following techniques for a quick fix.
- If there is no sound:
- Make sure the battery is inserted correctly.
- Replace the battery if you suspect it is dead or weak.
- Remove excess earwax from earmold or replace wax guard.
- Check tubing for wax buildup or moisture; clean with blower tool.
- Make sure hearing aid isn’t accidentally set to telecoil mode.
- If you are experiencing feedback or whistling:
- Remove and reinsert your hearing aids.
- Turn down the volume.
- Make sure there is nothing blocking or covering your hearing aids.
- Have your doctor check your ears for excess wax and remove if necessary.
- If the sound is weak or distorted:
- The battery may be dead or weak; replace it.
- Open the battery compartment and clean the contacts with a dry cloth.
- Clean the earmold or tubing with wax removal tools; replace wax guard.
What Can I Expect to Pay for a Hearing Aid Repair?
The cost of having your hearing aids repaired depends on a number of factors. We must determine the following:
- Whether your hearing aids are under warranty (basic or extended).
- The extent of damage.
- The price of replacement parts.
- Labor charges.
If your hearing aids are still under warranty and were purchased from Pinnacle ENT Associates, repair costs will be nominal or free. If the warranty has expired, we’ll need to assess the level of damage before providing you with an estimate.
Should you purchase a new hearing aid?
Depending on the cost of repairs, you might be better off investing in a new pair of hearing aids in certain cases. If your current aids are more than five years old, consider an upgrade – technological advances mean today’s digital devices are more powerful and come packed with features for improved sound quality compared with those that are a few years older.
Likewise, if the damage is extensive or your hearing aids have already been repaired in the past, it may not be worth paying more money when you can purchase a brand new pair of hearing aids that should last you another five to seven years or longer.
The expert staff at Pinnacle ENT Associates is happy to evaluate your hearing aids and help you decide whether having them repaired makes the most financial sense. We service all makes and models and are here to provide you with assistance.
Contact one of our convenient locations for more information or to schedule an appointment.