Today's hearing aids are increasingly sophisticated and are customizable to your specific needs and preferences.
Hearing aid technology is rapidly advancing. All hearing aids today have advanced digital processing technology as well as additional features and accessories that can enhance your ability to hear in more challenging situations, such as theaters and restaurants. Hearing aids also come in a wide range of sizes and styles.
Your audiologist will help you learn more about the different types of hearing aids and which may be most appropriate for your specific hearing needs.
Hearing Aid Process
Your primary care doctor or otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor or ENT) may order audiometry, a test performed by an audiologist that measures the extent and type of your hearing loss.
If hearing aids are recommended to improve your hearing, an audiologist will work with you through each step of the hearing aid process to make sure that you get the most from your new hearing aids. These steps include the following:
Hearing Aid Evaluation and Selection
- After your audiologist evaluates your communication needs, he or she will help you select the hearing aid that’s right for you.
- The audiologist will also help you decide whether to try a hearing aid in one or both ears. Wearing hearing aids in both ears may help you balance sounds more naturally, locate the source of sounds more easily and understand speech better when there is a lot of background noise.
Electroacoustic Evaluation and Programming
- Before being fit with your hearing aid, your audiologist will verify that it is functioning the way that it should.
- Your audiologist will preprogram your hearing aid to initial settings based on your specific type and level of hearing loss.
Real-ear Measurements
- Using real-time objective measurements, your audiologist will make sure your hearing aid is programmed so that it is prescribed correctly for your hearing loss. This step is important to make sure you can hear spoken words better while keeping you safe and comfortable when exposed to loud sounds.
Hearing Aid Orientation
- You will learn all about the features of your new hearing aid, how to get the most benefit from it and how to care for it.
- Your audiologist will work with you to develop appropriate expectations, including how much time it may take to adjust and how best to reach your goals.
Monitoring Progress
- Your initial experience with the hearing aid will be most helpful. In the first four to six weeks after getting your hearing aid, your audiologist may make adjustments based on your feedback.
- You will have follow-up appointments six months and 12 months after receiving your hearing aid. Your audiologist will adjust the settings if needed and ensure you continue to get as much benefit as possible from your hearing aid.
Rush Excellence in Hearing Aid Care
- Nationally ranked care: U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center among the best in the nation for ENT care.
- Expertise and experience: Audiologists at Rush have extensive experience and provide expert consultation for adults and children with hearing loss. This includes efforts to select the right hearing aid to help you hear your best and with greater ease.
- Patient-centered care: Our team is committed to providing outstanding care tailored to meet your needs, and to ensuring that every visit goes as smoothly as possible. Our staff is here to provide support throughout the process, from answering questions to helping address insurance issues.