Understanding the Role of a Hearing Specialist in Hearing Loss Management

Hearing loss requires the right treatment and management so individuals experiencing hearing loss can have a good quality of life. Although there’s no cure for hearing loss, with the right treatment living with hearing loss can be manageable. Some individuals may be uncertain about seeking help for hearing loss. However, getting help from a hearing specialist to diagnose and manage hearing loss will ensure a better quality of life. Hearing health professionals are experts in hearing loss, its causes and the best ways to manage it.

If you have hearing loss, or suspect that you do, a hearing health professional will help you to combat your hearing loss using methods that work for you.

Hearing Tests

A hearing health professional can help you by ensuring you get an accurate diagnosis. Hearing tests are designed to check your hearing and ear health in different ways to determine if you have hearing loss and how severe it is. A hearing test may actually involve several components or different series of tests. It will check what sounds you can hear using sounds at different volumes and pitches. Hearing tests can also assess how well you can hear speech, as well as test your hearing in different environments.

A pure-tone test uses sounds at various volumes and pitches to find the quietest sounds you can hear and both the lowest and highest sounds you can hear. Bone conduction testing might also be used to help determine the cause of any hearing loss. It sends vibrations through the bones in the ear to find out if the hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural. Another test that might be included is an otoscopy, which is a physical examination of the ears.

Hearing Aid Evaluation

Hearing aids often offer significant benefits to individuals experiencing hearing loss. Hearing health specialists play a vital role by conducting thorough evaluations to determine your suitability for hearing aids and suggest the most fitting options. The process of evaluating for hearing aids typically begins with an examination of your hearing test results. These evaluations assist hearing health professionals in making tailored recommendations for managing your hearing loss, often involving the use of hearing aids tailored to your specific needs.

Your hearing specialist can make sure you understand the results of your hearing test and what your hearing loss means. They can explain which sounds you might not be hearing and how hearing aids can help you. Hearing specialists will talk to you about your lifestyle and requirements to help determine whether hearing aids will be useful and what type of hearing aids might be best.

They can show you different styles, features and technologies and recommend one that will work for you. Your hearing health professional can also take an impression of your ear to ensure comfort.

Hearing Aid Dispensing and Fitting

Hearing health professionals also handle the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids. They customize your hearing aids according to your needs, aligning them with the results of your hearing test. During a hearing aid fitting session, you’ll have the opportunity to try on the devices for comfort and ensure their accurate programming. Your hearing specialist conducts real-time tests while you wear the aids, allowing for immediate adjustments during your appointment. Additionally, this session serves as an educational opportunity, providing you with insights into operating your hearing aids effectively. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or take notes to ensure a better understanding and retention of information for later use.

Hearing Aid Care

Taking good care of your hearing aids is important, and hearing specialists can help with this. If you need hearing aid cleaning, maintenance or repair, your hearing health professional will be able to assist you. They will show you how to properly clean and maintain your hearing aids, by using the right tools.

Ongoing Hearing Health Care

Taking care of your hearing health is an ongoing process. Hearing health professionals will continue to assist you in caring for your hearing health and managing your hearing loss even after you have your hearing aids. In fact, it’s important to continue having regular hearing tests and hearing aid fittings to ensure your hearing aids are still working for you. With regular follow-ups your hearing health professional can assess your hearing loss, measuring the progression, if there is any.

If you want to learn more about managing hearing loss get in touch with Hearing Solutions Inc., and how a hearing health professional can help. Call us today at (701) 566-7280.