Hearing Aid Questions to Ask - and other things to consider
Posted by CENTURY HEARING
When you starting you search for hearing aids, whether its online or at local audiologist, here are a few questions to ask and things to consider
There are many hearing aids on the market today, where some companies call them "Assisted Listening Devices" or "PSAPs" or "Personal Sound Amplifiers".... now on the market that can satisfy someone with mild to moderate to moderate to severe high frequency hearing losses. These devices are pre-programmed that will offer an "approximate fit" the usual ski-slope high frequency hearing losses that commonly afect the aging ear. And most come with some sort of manual volume control -- this is strongly suggested with Assisted Listening Devices or PSAPs. Just a note: they may not perfectly tuned to your exact hearing loss, but they are often close enough that they represent a great value to you..meaning you hear better without going through the process of getting a hearing test. And....where the manual volume control can take care of those days when you need more gain or less.
2. Consider your Lifestyle- Are you Active or Not so Much?
Make sure you get follow up Calls, emails, mail, newsletter - make sure they are available or respond back to you within certain time frame.
1. Get yourself a Hearing Test from a local audiologist or Ear Nose and Throat Specialist - That is really best idea - if you cannot....
There are many hearing aids on the market today, where some companies call them "Assisted Listening Devices" or "PSAPs" or "Personal Sound Amplifiers".... now on the market that can satisfy someone with mild to moderate to moderate to severe high frequency hearing losses. These devices are pre-programmed that will offer an "approximate fit" the usual ski-slope high frequency hearing losses that commonly afect the aging ear. And most come with some sort of manual volume control -- this is strongly suggested with Assisted Listening Devices or PSAPs. Just a note: they may not perfectly tuned to your exact hearing loss, but they are often close enough that they represent a great value to you..meaning you hear better without going through the process of getting a hearing test. And....where the manual volume control can take care of those days when you need more gain or less.
2. Consider your Lifestyle- Are you Active or Not so Much?
- What is your lifestyle such as home, work, school, or when going out?
- Do you have any manual dexterity and/or vision issues?
Your lifestyle which might affect the choice of hearing aid styles and features.Talk the memories, as it pertains to listening situations, such as noisy or large rooms, theaters, or meetings, in which you have the most difficulty hearing.- Talk about expectations - what you may start hearing - getting used to hearing aids
3. Picking a hearing aid style, features, and controls
- Review the pros and cons of different hearing-aid styles and features see here: https://centuryhearingaids.com/hearing-aid-pros-cons
- Chat about your personal preferences such as style, color, cost, and features.
4. Use and maintenance
- Discusses the battery type for your hearing aid, battery life, the handling of batteries,
- Explains controls, like volume and memories
- Discusses what feedback means, and what you can do about it.
- Teaches you how to clean and store the hearing aids and keep them free of wax.
- Cautions you not to get them wet
- Outlines how you get used to them.
5. Financial issues
- Ask about the the total cost of the aids, repairs, long does a hearing aid last, reprogramming - if needed, and if you want to program at home
- Ask about payment plans - we use Paypal Credit.
- Ask for coupons!
6. Proper fitting, adjustment
-
Fitting is three parts:
- Is taking the audiogram or hearing test you have and finding the right hearing aid - from suggested fitting range of hearing aids
- if you decide to purchase from us...we take the audiogram and program the hearing aids according to the audiogram- right where you need help.
- is providing you with various lengths of tubes (3 lengths) and various sizes of tips (S,M,L) that you can try out for comfort and best effect. Lastly, From there you can use the manual volume control to help in different environments
- Ask about troubleshooting strategies to fix problems yourself.
- Review use and maintenance tips.
7. what to look for - what not to look for
-
A online hearing aid company should have:
-
a Better Business Bureau rating of A or A+
-
How long have they been selling on the internet
-
An Address - not just a PO box, but do they have a physical address -
-
Lots of real reviews, you can fake text, but you cannot fake videos - videos from customers
-
A 100% Money Back Guarantee Policy - no questions asked -
-
Free Shipping
-
Easy Returns and when do you get your money back?
-
Free Lifetime Reprogramming Plan - Reprogramming takes 5 to 10 minutes so this should be free.
-
Their About US page tells a story, pictures of people running the company
- One to Two Year Warranty on all their hearing aids.
- Loss and Damage Program. - what happens if you lose the aid - at some point you are going to lose an aid, step on it, dog eats it, take it in the shower.
- Do you get Batteries with order
9. Follow up
Make sure you get follow up Calls, emails, mail, newsletter - make sure they are available or respond back to you within certain time frame.
10. Paying for your hearing aid
Most Internet (by mail) Hearing Aid Companies should take:
- Checks
- Money orders
- All forms of credit cards
- Wire the Money
- Payment Plans like PayPal Credit - although the Interest Rates is very high - if you pay it off in 6 months there is no interest.
- Some companies may work with Insurance companies - although most Insurance companies DO NOT Cover hearing aids.
SHARE:
