INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
INSIGHT
BETTER HEARING
The
Phones
Hearing
and
Aid Hearing
Loss
Buyer’s
Guide
T
B
here is much to consider when it comes to using telephones
when you have a hearing loss. This article will attempt to
some of the
basic
considerations
for to telecommunication
eing review
in the consumer’s
shoes
can
be a scary place
be when looking
for individuals
have to
lost
their what
hearing.
for better
hearing. It who
is difficult
know
to expect from hearing
care providers. This is made more difficult when the consumer doesn’t
Use what
of the
Phone
with
Hearing
Aids to ask at your next
know
questions
to ask.
Here are
some questions
Hearing aids do not always allow for normal phone use. Most people
appointment.
who struggle with the phone will find that using their hearing aids help
but WHAT
they have
to AUDIOLOGIST’S
modify the way
they hold the
phone
order
the with
1.
ARE THE
CREDENTIALS?
Know
who is in
going
to be for
working
sound
the case Educational
of using requirements
a behind-the-ear
hearing
you to
and transfer
find out if properly.
he/she is an In
audiologist.
for audiologists
aid, include
individuals
need and
to hold
the of
phone
to the microphone
6-8 years will
of college
thousands
clinical closer
hours. Audiologist
credentials include
near “MA,
the MS,
top Au.D.,
of their
their
canal.
in-the-ear
hearing
aids,
or Ph. ear,
D.” for not
master’
s or ear
doctoral
level With
education.
Audiologists
may obtain
the board
phone
may need
tilted Board
slightly
to avoid They
feedback.
certification
with to
the be
American
of Audiology.
specialize in Fortunately
many
for hearing
aid users,
if these
modifications
do not industrial
suffice other
areas including
adult hearing
disorders,
pediatrics, education,
testing, features
surgical
built monitoring,
into the hearing
aids can
cochlear implants
and help.
more.
Hearing Health Self Test
Hearing loss can sneak up on you.
To find out how well you’re hearing,
take my Hearing Health Self Test.
There’s no cost or obligation, and
you can find it on my website.
www.hearwellcenter.com
If your results aren’t satisfying, call today
to schedule an appointment! 412.254.8934
SPONSORED
SPONSORED CONTENT
CONTENT
Telecoils
A telecoil is a special feature in most hearing aids intended for transfer
WHAT from
BRANDS
HEARING
AIDS ARE
if you’ll
have a selection to
of 2. sound
the OF
phone
through
the AVAILABLE?
hearing aid Know
using
electromagnetic
choose
that carry
one brand
be limited in their
Know if
energy.
By from.
using Locations
a telecoil,
the only
hearing
aid will
microphone
can options.
be lowered
you are
to a concentration
corporate-owned chain
or an
independently
owned practice.
Generally
to allow
for going
better
of the
phone
conversation
without
independent
practices
more flexibility
and may
work with
multiple manufacturers.
interference
from
other have
noises.
A telecoil
be selected
in the software
settings
the audiologist
and ON
accessed
button.
hearing
3. HOW by MUCH
TIME IS ALLOWED
THE FIRST through
VISIT? You a should
feel Some
comfortable
with
aids will
an option
for first
automatic
telecoil switching.
your also
choice have
of provider.
When you
visit for a consultation
about your options in hearing
aids, you need to have time to discuss your evaluation results, talk about your lifestyle and
Hands-Free
with
Hearing
what you expect Phone
from hearing Calls
aids, discuss
the options
available and Aids
different features, go
By over
utilizing
can
include
accessories
for
pricing Bluetooth,
and all that is today’s
included in hearing
the price, aids
and talk
about
the services
provided with
hands-free
phone
has its
but they all
the products.
You use.
should Each
expect manufacturer
enough time to answer
all own
of your model
questions.
follow
the I TRY
same
principle: they str eam sound from an audio device to the
4. CAN
ON AN INSTRUMENT IN THE OFFICE? Most locations will have the ability to
hearing
aids
wirelessly.
These
streaming
devices
have
a features
major benefit:
demonstrate hearing products
in the
office to show
you some
of the
and benefits of
they allow
hearing for
aids. hearing with both ears simultaneously. From studies
of auditory recognition, we know that our brain has the best hearing
5. HOW LONG
THE TRIAL PERIOD AND WHAT HAPPENS IF I RETURN THE HEARING
reception
when IS both
ears are used, called binaural benefit. A similar
AIDS? You can expect a minimum of 30 days in the trial period as mandated by
effect can be achieved by using a speaker phone but this is typically not
Pennsylvania
state law. Find
you can exchange
hearing
instruments
if you don’t like
as clear
and is certainly
not out
as if private.
Generally
speaking,
streaming
the
first
ones
you
try.
Find
out
also
how
much
your
refund
will
be
if
you
return
your hearing
devices are used with Bluetooth-enabled phones, however, adaptors
can
aids during the
period. existing
Do not be phones.
surprised if the refund is not 100%. Often a small
be purchased
to trial
modify
charge is maintained for the services provided and expenses incurred by your order.
6. WHAT IS INCLUDED
IN THE &
PRICE
OF THE HEARING
AID? The price of hearing aids
Amplified
Phones
Captioned
Phones
is often
a bundled
includes
the instruments,
the shipping
and or
handling,
Since
you
cannot price
see that
the
speaker’s
face to help
lipread
sense the
warranty
package,
the earmold impressions,
the difficult
service plan
cleanings the
and topic.
emotions,
phone
conversations
are more
to for
predict
the rapid
time that
the audiologist
spends with
you at each
of your
Noisy reprogramming,
connections and
and
speech
also degrade
speech
quality.
appointments.
Therefore
it is likely that those with hearing loss will need additional
7. WHAT TYPES
OF PAYMENT OPTIONS
ARE AVAILABLE?
Hearing
aids can
be very
accessories
to communicate
successfully
by phone.
Special
phones
affordable.
Financing boosting
or financial assistance
may flashing
apply to your
situation.
You may
have
include:
amplification
20-60 dB,
lights
and loud
ringers
insurance
benefits that
will help reduce
if the facility
accepts your speed.
insurance.
and even
answering
machines
that your
can cost.
slow Ask down
the playback
It is best phones
to be prepared
and call
your insurance
of time gaps
to check
your
Captioned
provide
visual
input to company
help fill ahead
in those
in on
the
benefits before going to an appointment.
conversation.
8. HOW WILL YOU ENSURE MY SATISFACTION WITH NEW HEARING AIDS? Learning
Getting
the can Phone
to hear again
be a challenge. Make sure the audiologist will schedule recheck
There
are many
ways
to in go
about
getting
for hearing
appointments
while
you are
your
trial period.
Ask phones
if the audiologist
will take loss
including
direct-to-consumer
websites
stores.
measurements
of your performance
to be sure and
that retail
the hearing
aid is I recommend
a good fit and is
consulting
with well.
an audiologist prior to purchasing phone equipment.
performing
There
are
programs
in the state
of Pennsylvania that provide a free phone
9. ARE THERE ANY CHARGES
WHILE I AM UNDER WARRANTY? Many practices will
for those
lower
brackets.
include in the
cost of income
all your visits
during your warranty. Ask what is included and what is not.
HearWell Center is proud to provide consultations to discuss phone
10. ARE as
THERE CLASSES OR TRAINING SESSIONS THAT I CAN TAKE TO LEARN ABOUT
options
part of an assessment for hearing help products. We
HEARING AIDS? Auditory training and rehabilitation are part of a successful adaptation
participate in multiple programs offering free and discounted phones.
period for first-time hearing aid users. Though learning to hear can be challenging to
new users, there are many ways to reduce these difficulties. Ask about rehabilitation
Industry
was ,and
written
Dr. Suzanne
Yoder, the
Au.D.
programs, This
exercise
programs Insight
for listening
other by
therapies
offered through
office.
Suzanne Yoder, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology, Owner
2400 Ardmore Blvd, Ste 401 • Forest Hills
HearWell Center, 412.254.8934; [email protected],
www.hearwellcenter.com.
This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Suzanne Yoder, Au.D., of HearWell
Center HearWell
412.254.8934;
[email protected],
About
Center
— HearWell Center is a www.hearwellcenter.com.
full-service,
About HearWell owned
Center —
HearWell Center
is a proud
full-service,
independently
audiology
practice
to be independently
bringing
owned
audiology
proud
to be
bringing
better Center,
hearing to
the
better hearing to
the people
of practice
Pittsburgh
since
2007.
HearWell
located
of Pittsburgh
since 2007.
Center,
located
Forest Hills, is a
in Forest Hills, is people
a hearing
care practice
that HearWell
has helped
over
1,000 in patients
hearing care practice that has helped over 1,000 patients with their hearing,
with
their hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders — and offers state-of-the-art
tinnitus, and balance disorders — and offers state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and expert
diagnostic
testing
and expert fitting of hearing technology.
fitting of hearing technology.
WOODLAND HILLS ❘
FALL 2018
7