If you suspect that you might need a hearing aid, you will need to have a hearing evaluation. Before performing your evaluation we will do a case history to determine what factors in your everyday life from both the present and the past might be contributing to any issues you may be having. Things such as family history, age, and noise exposure are leading causes of hearing loss. You will also be asked some basic questions about your general health history, as well as a few questions regarding tinnitus and if you suffer from this condition.
The results from you hearing test will provide us a starting point in determining the best course of action to improving your hearing health. Combined with the case history it gives us a good idea as to the effect your hearing loss is having on your everyday life.
If your hearing test or case history reveals anything unusual you will be referred to a medical doctor specializing in disorders of the ear. If your evaluation reveals a permanent loss, a hearing aid may be recommended for one or both of your ears. We will explain what sounds you may be missing and what a hearing aid(s) can do to help.
It is usually at this appointment that you will get to see and touch different styles of hearing aids. In some cases you may even be able to do a demonstration where you can wear the hearing aids that you are considering. Your hearing professional will help you choose the best hearing aid styles, features and level of sophistication based on your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, and financial circumstances.
Once you make a decision, the hearing professional may take impressions of your ears if you selected custom hearing aids or behind-the-ear hearing aids that require earmolds. Hearing aids must usually be ordered from a manufacturer and then programmed by your hearing professional to meet your specific hearing needs. This process usually takes between 1-2 weeks.
**Please note this part of the process is where the biggest difference lies between companies. Hearing Solutions is a small company whose owner, Carl Willingham, has over 15 years experience in fitting a variety of hearing products. As an independent company we can offer the very best products at the lowest prices due to our business model. We also have a firm policy that the customer ALWAYS makes the final decision on what they feel comfortable wearing, both in what they select and what it costs. This allows our company to have outstanding relationships with our customers because we work together as a TEAM to optimize their hearing. This cooperation is really the foundation that makes our company unique in our industry.