Questions to ask your audiologist
NFD have come up with a list of questions to ask your Audiologist. These questions will help you choose the best Audiologist to help you reach your hearing goals. Maree O’Sullivan, the Audiologist at Auckland Hearing has answered these questions to help give you more clarity about how we help people with their hearing at Auckland Hearing.
The National Foundation for the Deaf (NFD) is a New Zealand organisation that promotes the rights, interests and welfare New Zealanders with hearing loss. They offer people support to communicate effectively, live positively and achieve to their potential. They collaborate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and with professionals like audiologists in the hearing sector to address issues affecting human rights and quality of life.
Recently NFD published a list of questions to ask your Audiologist when you are choosing hearing aids. I thought they were great questions so here are my answers. I hope you find the information helpful.
Hearing aids are complex devices. It requires knowledge, experience and continual up-skilling and learning to choose the best devices for your situation. Here are some questions to ask when deciding which audiologist you want to work with and during the consultation.
Modern hearing aids can often connect wirelessly with other devices such as cell phones and televisions. Get a clear idea of what you can access and any extra costs.
Maree’s Answers: Most hearing aids can now be connected to other devices wirelessly, see the video below to see how they can work. Each manufacturer has their own devices made specifically for their hearing aids. They all connect to either Apple or Android phones and most, apps to control them. Most manufacturers now have direct to iPhone technology where no other intermediate device is needed. To connect to Android, they all need another wireless device. These are all options we will discuss in your needs assessment.
Rechargeable hearing aids are now more widely available and are another option to consider when choosing the right hearing aids for you.
Your hearing may only change a little over time, so you may not need to upgrade after a set period. However, if the hearing aids you get cannot be adjusted after a certain period, you need to budget for replacement.
Maree’s Answers: As long as you look after your hearing aids they should last at least six years. Most hearing aids now have excellent IP ratings (resistant to dust and moisture). Two things that are not good for hearing aids are wax and moisture. It is essential to keep them clear of wax and dry them regularly in the hot water cupboard or a dry aid kit. We will discuss cleaning and care with you at your hearing aid fitting appointment.
It is unusual to have a dramatic drop in hearing levels over the life of the hearing aid. The style of hearing aids you choose will affect both reliability and whether they can be adjusted for a change in hearing levels. These things will be considered and discussed at the needs assessment appointment.
Insurance cover: We will provide you with a letter to give to your insurance company at the time the hearing aids are fitted, so you can easily add them to your home and contents insurance. That way you are covered in case of loss or excessive damage not covered by warranty (i.e. accidentally swimming in your hearing aids).
Most hearing aids have a warranty, but be clear what it includes, such as the cost of refitting a repaired hearing aid. Ask how long the hearing aids will last and how to minimise any problems. Ask about backup expenses and non-refundable charges for items like ear moulds. Clarify the warranty for any other devices you may get at the same time.
Maree’s Answers: Most hearing aids have a 2-year manufacturer warranty, some have a 3-year warranty. We will get in contact with you just before your warranty expires and ask if you would like to come in for a hearing assessment and hearing aid adjustment. Often we will send the aids off at that point to have them serviced and checked over. Other devices like Bluetooth accessories and chargers usually have a 1-year warranty manufacturer warranty.
Does the fee cover just the device? Does it include the fitting? Does it cover the trial period or other services? Some audiologists offer free care and support for extended periods, other offer discounts on certain models.
Maree’s answer: When you choose Auckland Hearing to fit your hearing aids we will make sure you are satisfied with how the hearing aids are meeting your (realistic) hearing needs. All of your fitting and follow up appointments are included in the cost of your hearing aids for at least 6 months.
If we are offered a special discount or added accessories from a manufacturer, we will pass these on to you. We will let you know when these specials come up.
Be clear when you have to start paying for your appointments.
Maree’s answer: The cost of the hearing aids includes all your appointments for at least the first six months. Once you finalise the hearing aids, that means you have decided to keep the hearing aids. We will let you know the date when that six month period will end. At that time, we will get in contact with you and ask if you would like a final six months to check appointment. After that time we have a discounted rate for our clients.
Follow up appointments are booked for half an hour. During these appointments, we adjust the sound and make sure you are comfortable using the hearing aids. Follow up appointments are included with the price of the hearing aids (for at least six months). The number of appointments needed varies among people.
You need to be sure the audiologist is allowing enough time for you to get used to the hearing aids properly.
Maree’s answer: The first time we see you we will do a hearing test and a needs assessment. We set aside 90 minutes for this appointment to give us plenty of time. We will program up some hearing aids to your hearing and let you have a listen. You can even go next door to the cafe for a coffee and listen through the hearing aids in a noisier environment if you want to. This is an important appointment as it is when we get to understand your listening needs and chose the best technology for you. We also make sure you understand the process of getting hearing aids and adjusting to the new sound.
Hearing aid fitting: During this appointment we set the hearing aids up for you and show you how to use and take care of them. This appointment takes an hour.
The brain needs time to adjust to new levels of sound. A trial can last 6 to 8 weeks and you should be clear you can get a refund during this period if you are not satisfied.
Maree’s answer: At Auckland Hearing, you get a trial period of up to 8 weeks from the initial hearing aid fitting date. Over that time we will make sure you have adapted to the new sound and are managing the hearing aids well. If the hearing aids we choose initially are not quite right for you we can try others that will suit you better. The trial ends once you decide to finalise the hearing aids. At that point, we will not make any further follow up appointments for you but you are welcome to come back for further appointments if needed. All of your appointments are included for 6 months.
Government subsidies are available only once every six years, so it is essential you get up to date aids, not older models that may be on discount.
Maree’s answer: At Auckland Hearing, we fit the latest models available at each technology level.
You want to be sure that we recommend a device because it works best with your hearing, is robust and you will be able to manage it. Check that there is a good back up service.
Maree’s Answer: As an independent hearing clinic I do not have preferred supplier agreements with any manufacturers. This is one of the many reasons I set up an independent clinic – so we can choose the best hearing aid option to meet each clients needs.
Hearing aids brands. In the last few months I fitted hearing aids from Oticon, Phonak, Signia (Siemens) and Widex, and I am open to trialling other suppliers if I believe they have a product that will suit a particular client’s needs. I attend seminars and see reps from each manufacturer and keep up with new developments in the industry so I can give the most up to date advice. The model chosen within each brand will depend on each clients individual’s specific needs.
Your needs assessment. The hearing aids I recommend for each client will depend on many factors including their hearing loss, lifestyle and budget. At the needs assessment appointment, we ask many questions about your hearing challenges, listening environments and what your goals are for hearing better. From there we will choose a hearing device that meets your needs and is within your budget.
Back up service: We want to be sure that the hearing aids are meeting your hearing needs. When choosing to get hearing aids from Auckland Hearing, we include all your appointments for at least six months. Hearing aids usually have a 2-year warranty; some have a 3-year warranty. We work with manufacturers that have an excellent backup service. We recommend you have a hearing review and hearing aid adjustment every 1 – 2 years to be sure the hearing aids continue to work as well as possible for you.
It is important to know if the Audiologist travels from another town. You may need several visits to get your hearing aids tuned properly, so the audiologist should be available long term.
Maree’s answer: Auckland Hearing is located at 66 Michaels Ave in Ellerslie, Auckland. We love our nice quiet street, we have plenty of parking right outside, and there are no stairs to climb (wheelchair friendly). We also have a lovely cafe next door where our clients often go for coffee before and after their appointments. At this stage, clinic days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with admin support (repairs etc.) other days. I have the flexibility to see people outside the regular hours if needed.
It is essential to be clear about what determines success with hearing aids, and you and your audiologist must be clear on the same goals.
Maree’s answer: We have both objective and subjective goals for our hearing aid fittings.
Objectively – we measure how the hearing aids function in your ears using real ear measures. Each persons ear shape changes the way that hearing aids are sound, so we compare the way your hearing aids are amplifying to a standard target. We will modify the hearing aid output to your hearing loss and ear acoustics.
Subjectively – Before choosing which hearing aids to trial, we create a set of goals with you. By getting a clear understanding of your lifestyle and hearing needs, we can choose the right level of technology to help you hear better. For example: hearing your family at the dinner table, understanding the TV easily and at a comfortable volume for others and hearing John (with the quiet voice) at work. After you have been wearing the hearing aids for a while and have adjusted to hearing the sound again, we check that we have achieved these goals you set for yourself.
In summary – we will clarify your hearing goals at the beginning of the process and then check we have achieved them when you finalise. Some goals may not be a realistic expectation for certain hearing loss’s or circumstances, and we will discuss this before we begin.
An audiologist uses skill and experience to get the best out of your hearing device. In larger practices experienced audiologists are available to mentor newer ones.
Maree’s answer: I did my Bachelor of Science and Master of Audiology degrees at the University of Auckland. I have been working as an Audiologist since April 1995. I have been lucky enough to work in 3 countries (Australia, the UK and New Zealand). Over that time I have worked in the many areas of Audiology including in hospitals, tertiary referral clinics (in-depth diagnostics), and for two manufacturers. For two years I worked at the University of Auckland Audiology program working with student audiologists in the areas of diagnostic audiology, paediatrics and hearing aids. I have fitted hearing aids for clients in hospitals, small private clinics and large clinic chains. I started Auckland Hearing in 2014 with the goal of delivering a very client oriented experience.
Only NZAS members can access government funding including the Ministry of Health subsidy and ACC. A code of ethics governs members, and there is a complaints procedure if you need it.
I have been a member of the New Zealand Audiological society since 1993, first as a student, then a provisional member. I completed my clinical Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in 1996 and have been a full member since then.
Maree’s answer: I have been a member of the New Zealand Audiological society since 1993, first as a student, then a provisional member. I completed my clinical Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in 1996 and have been a full member since then.