{"id":915,"date":"2019-03-23T17:46:01","date_gmt":"2019-03-23T04:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aucklandhearing.co.nz\/?p=915"},"modified":"2019-11-25T14:20:42","modified_gmt":"2019-11-25T01:20:42","slug":"getting-hearing-aids-what-is-the-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aucklandhearing.co.nz\/hearing-aids\/getting-hearing-aids-what-is-the-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Hearing Aids \u2013 What is the Process?"},"content":{"rendered":"

5 Steps to hearing aids<\/h1>\n
The first and hardest step for many is the first one, making an appointment for a hearing test. Research has shown it takes people 7 to 10 years to do something about their hearing loss. Of course,\u00a0while you are getting used to the idea that you may have some hearing loss, you are missing conversations and connections with people every day.<\/p>\n
Adapting to hearing loss by changing the way you live your life<\/b><\/p>\n
When you have hearing loss, the people around you adjust to your hearing loss so they can communicate with you. Friends and family learn they need to speak louder so, they do not have to repeat themselves. As time goes by, <\/span>they may choose not to share incidental comments. <\/span>You may start to make different decisions on how you will use your time (like avoiding social situations and communicating less).\u00a0<\/span>Hearing loss\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>impacts the way you live your life.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>There is also a lot of new research showing\u00a0<\/span>other\u00a0long-term\u00a0effects of hearing loss<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0when it is left untreated.<\/span><\/p>\n
$\"Diagram$
Diagram showing the process an approximate timeline for the life cycle of a pair of hearing aids<\/p><\/div>\n
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Step 1:\u00a0Book a time to see us<\/h2>\n
$\"Having$
Having a hearing test<\/p><\/div>\n
The first easy step is\u00a0to have a hearing test. The hearing test<\/a> <\/strong>will give you a clearer idea about your type and degree of hearing loss and how this is affecting the way you live your life. For example; your hearing test may explain why you can hear some sounds as well as everyone else; but you can\u2019t follow the conversation when it is noisy. At this point, we will also suggest your options for help with your hearing, and if we need to refer you to a medical specialist, we will look at this point.<\/p>\n
The next question is\u00a0\u201cDo you need hearing aids?\u201d<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>Your audiologist will let you know if your hearing is in the range where hearing aids will help and your family may also have an opinion on you getting help with your hearing. However, it is essential that once you decide to get hearing aids that you are taking this step\u00a0for yourself. It is true that other people in your life are probably affected by your hearing loss. However, it is better for everyone if\u00a0getting hearing aids\u00a0is your choice<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Hearing Assessment & Discussion<\/h2>\n
A full diagnostic hearing test<\/a><\/strong><\/span> will clarify your hearing levels and help identify possible causes of your hearing loss.<\/p>\n
$\"Explaining$
Explaining the hearing test<\/p><\/div>\n
The cause of hearing loss can be:<\/h4>\n
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conductive<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 A blockage reduces sound from passing through the outer or middle ear causing hearing loss<\/li>\n
sensorineural<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 where the cochlear is not able to detect all the sounds<\/li>\n
an auditory processing disorder (APD)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 where the brain cannot process the sound that is detected by your ears.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Your Audiologist will discuss your test results. If there is hearing loss, we will let you know why it is affecting your ability to understand people speaking; even though you can hear some sounds easily. At this point, we will refer you on to any other professionals, for further assessment or management, if needed.<\/p>\n
If you are interested, we will tell you a bit about hearing aids and possible options that might suit you. You can even have a listen through some hearing aids.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Needs Assessment<\/h2>\n
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Once you have decided to learn more about hearing aids, we will go through your needs assessment process. We will ask you questions about your lifestyle and hearing challenges. From here, we can decide on the hearing aid features and level of technology that suits you best. At this point, we create a list of situations where you would like to hear and communicate better. When choosing hearing aids for you, we take into account your:<\/p>\n
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Hearing loss<\/strong>\u00a0and other physical factors<\/li>\n
Lifestyle<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0your hearing needs<\/li>\n
Preferences<\/strong>, i.e. what the hearing aid will look like or specific functionality<\/li>\n
Funding\u00a0and budget<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 you may be eligible for funding from a government agency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
$\"Finding$
Finding out about your hearing needs<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Grant Waldrom – Orewa<\/span><\/h2>\n
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I initially went to Maree because I wanted an independent audiologist to assess my hearing. From the first visit, I had total confidence in her as I went through this journey to be able to regain my hearing. I was never pressured to purchase any particular brand, nor was I pressured to purchase aids that were beyond what I needed. As a result, I am very happy with the aids that I now use, and with the follow up I received and will continue to receive. <\/span><\/div>\n
Maree and Anna were a delight to deal with, and I thoroughly recommend Auckland Hearing.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Your hearing aid trial<\/h2>\n
Once you have decided to trial hearing aids, the process usually takes four to six weeks. The eight-week trial period allows you to be confident that you hear well with\u00a0your hearing aids in various listening environments. Depending on your type and degree of hearing loss, it takes a few days to a few weeks to adjust to hearing sound again. Eight weeks\u00a0is plenty of time for you to go through the adaptation process and get used to your new hearing aids.<\/p>\n
Hearing aids are always paid for in full before taking them home. If you decide that hearing aids are not for you, you can hand them back within the eight-week time frame. If you do, you will be refunded the cost of the hearing aids minus the deposit (which covers some of the time we spent with you). We also have the option of changing to other hearing aids at this time if needed.<\/p>\n
Step 4: Hearing Aid Fitting Appointment<\/h2>\n
Our main goal at the fitting is to get you comfortable with the sound and management of your new hearing aids. \u00a0We will:<\/p>\n
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Calculate<\/strong>\u00a0the sound required and program your hearing aids specifically for your hearing loss.<\/li>\n
Do real-ear measures<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0use a small soft microphone to measure the sound in your ear canal. \u00a0Real-ear measures verify that the hearing aids have the right amplification to compensate for your hearing loss.<\/li>\n
Discuss\u00a0<\/strong>the management of hearing aids, including, putting them in your ears, adjusting them, setting up remote control apps on your phone, cleaning and care and using the phone<\/li>\n
Talk to you about how it takes time to adjust to hearing sound again <\/b>and the importance of wearing the hearing aids as much as you can.<\/li>\n
Book the follow-up appointment<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 in 1 or 2 weeks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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$\"Hearing$
Hearing aid fitting – with real-ear measures<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Follow up appointments<\/h3>\n
Follow up appointments allow us to check how you are going with the hearing aids and make adjustments, as required. Usually, people have got used to the initial settings of the hearing aids and are ready for a clearer sound. The number of follow up appointments required will vary for different clients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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$\"Follow$
Follow up appointments<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Step 5: Finalising your hearing aids and ongoing care<\/h2>\n
Finalising<\/strong>\u00a0means that you are happy with your hearing aids and have decided you want to keep them. We will not schedule another appointment at this time. However, you are welcome to contact us again if you have further questions or need adjustments to your hearing aids.<\/p>\n
6 Months of appointments included<\/h3>\n
We include all the appointments up until 6 months in your initial fitting fees. \u00a0That way, we can make sure your hearing aids are working well for you.<\/p>\n
Ongoing care of your hearing and hearing aids<\/h3>\n
Warranty repairs<\/strong><\/p>\n
It is worth having your hearing aids sent off for a check over before your warranty expires. We will contact you before your warranty expires, so you can bring your hearing aids in and we will send them off. In many cases, the hearing aids are replaced or repaired under warranty, giving you refurbished hearing aids moving forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Bi-annual hearing test and hearing aid adjustment appointments<\/strong><\/p>\n
We will send you an email each year, asking how you are going with your hearing aids. Every two years, we will recommend a bi-annual review. We recommend you have a hearing test and hearing aid adjustment every two years, or sooner if you notice a change in your hearing. At your hearing test and hearing aid adjustment appointment, we will test your hearing and adjust your hearing aids to your current hearing levels.<\/p>\n
We will also check your hearing aids over and make sure they are working as they should. If your hearing aids are not working as expected, we will send them off for repair. These appointments ensure you continue to hear as well as possible with your hearing aids.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Maree contacted me recently, and I went in for another check where she gave my hearing aids a tune-up to maintain their efficiency. With my slowly deteriorating hearing, I hadn\u2019t noticed I didn’t hear as clearly as before. I was surprised at how much more I could hear once my hearing aids were adjusted. Excellent service indeed!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Max Ross- Auckland CBD<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Replacing your hearing aids<\/h3>\n
Traditionally hearing aids lasted about 4-5 years as they would be affected by wax, moisture, dust and dirt. Now, most hearing aids are covered by high tech coatings that make them much more resistant to moisture.<\/p>\n
Hearing aid lifetime<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 It is not possible to tell how long these current aids will last but with proper care possibly 6-8 years. You will need regular hearing assessments and adjustments over that time to keep them working the best for you.<\/p>\n
Insurance<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Please list your hearing aids on your insurance policy just in case they get lost or something happens to them.<\/p>\n
As an Auckland Hearing client, you will become part of our Auckland Hearing community. As long as you are interested, we will keep you up to date about the hearing world from hearing care to the latest hearing aids.<\/p>\n
Please feel free to browse<\/a><\/strong><\/span> among the other articles about hearing loss and hearing aids.<\/p>\n
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A bit about Auckland Hearing<\/h2>\n
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$\"Anna$
Anna and Maree – At Auckland Hearing<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n
Auckland Hearing is an\u00a0independent hearing aid and audiology clinic<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>set up by\u00a0Maree O\u2019Sullivan<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0Maree
\nhas worked in Audiology for nearly 25 years and started Auckland Hearing so she could focus on the needs of each client (rather than\u00a0corporate profits).<\/p>\n
We provide a full range of hearing\u00a0services<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and work with all of the\u00a0Ministry of Health approved hearing aid brands<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in New Zealand. This means we\u00a0can fit the hearing aids that best suit your needs.<\/p>\n
Call Anna to\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/span>book your appointment with <\/a><\/strong><\/span>Maree now.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[646,814,649],"tags":[657,401,656,655],"yoast_head":"\nGetting Hearing Aids \u2013 What is the Process? - Auckland Hearing<\/title>\n<meta \="" content='\"index,' follow,="" max-image-preview:large,="" max-snippet:-1,="" max-video-preview:-1\"="" name='\"robots\"'/>\n<link \="" href='\"https:\/\/aucklandhearing.co.nz\/hearing-aids\/getting-hearing-aids-what-is-the-process\/\"' rel='\"canonical\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"en_US\"' property='\"og:locale\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"article\"' property='\"og:type\"'/>\n<meta -="" \="" \u2013="" aids="" auckland="" content='\"Getting' hearing="" hearing\"="" is="" process?="" property='\"og:title\"' the="" what=""/>\n<meta \="" content='\"https:\/\/aucklandhearing.co.nz\/hearing-aids\/getting-hearing-aids-what-is-the-process\/\"' property='\"og:url\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"Auckland' hearing\"="" property='\"og:site_name\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AuckHearing\"' property='\"article:author\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"2019-03-23T04:46:01+00:00\"' property='\"article:published_time\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"2019-11-25T01:20:42+00:00\"' property='\"article:modified_time\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"https:\/\/aucklandhearing.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Hearing-aids-fitting-process.jpg\"' property='\"og:image\"'/>\n\t<meta \="" content='\"1199\"' property='\"og:image:width\"'/>\n\t<meta \="" content='\"728\"' property='\"og:image:height\"'/>\n<meta \="" content='\"summary_large_image\"' name='\"twitter:card\"'/>\n<meta by\"="" content='\"Written' name='\"twitter:label1\"'/>\n\t<meta content='\"Maree' name='\"twitter:data1\"' o\u2019sullivan\"=""/>\n\t<meta content='\"Est.' name='\"twitter:label2\"' reading="" time\"=""/>\n\t<meta content='\"8' minutes\"="" name='\"twitter:data2\"'/>\n<script class='\"yoast-schema-graph\"' type='\"application\/ld+json\"'></script>