4 Reasons to Visit a Hearing Instrument Specialist

Almost 40 million people in the US are living with some form of hearing loss. This can be caused by a health condition, injury to the ear or noise induced. Not everyone who lives with hearing loss uses a hearing aid, even though research suggests that many millions of adults could benefit from using one. 

We are very fortunate to live in a time where the technology available to improve the hearing of those living with hearing loss. There are many makes and models to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming. That’s where a hearing instrument specialist comes in. Here are four reasons to visit a hearing instrument specialist. 

What is a hearing instrument specialist?

You might be wondering what a hearing instrument specialist is, and how they can help those with hearing loss. 

A hearing instrument specialist analyses the results from your hearing test and recommends a particular hearing aid to suit your needs. In a market where so many different types and brands of devices are available, they are crucial in choosing the correct one for your needs and lifestyle. 

You are experiencing hearing loss

If you are experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, especially if you are over 50, you should visit a hearing instrument specialist. Common symptoms including asking people to repeat themselves of having your TV or phone volume turned up high than usual. 

You may have been referred by another professional or you may have made an appointment yourself to get things checked out. 

You don’t know which hearing aid to choose

As mentioned earlier, there are many different types of hearing aid. Your hearing instrument specialist will be able to tell you the pros and cons of each model. They’ll also be able to talk to you about your lifestyle and preferences and make a recommendation from there. Once they’ve identified the best hearing aid for you, they’ll be able to customize it to your particular needs and show you how to operate and look after it. 

You need your current hearing aid adjusted or repaired

The level of your hearing loss can change over time. This can be a gradual process, or you may notice a more significant one. Usually, this can be improved by adjusting your hearing aid. Simply make an appointment with your hearing instrument specialist and explain the situation.  They may decide to perform other tests to rule out another cause but usually, it just requires the adjustment of hearing aid settings. 

Sometimes hearing aids do malfunction. They are not something that can usually be thrown away and replaced at the first sign of damage. A hearing instrument specialist will be able to look at your hearing aid a diagnose the problem. In most cases, they can make a repair. If that’s not possible, they will have connections with the manufacturer and be able to provide you with a temporary replacement hearing aid while yours is undergoing specialist repair. 

You need advice on using your hearing aid

When you are fitted for your specialist hearing aid, your instrument specialist will take you through how it works, how you care for it and how to operate it. 

Not only will they do this when you receive your hearing aid, but you can contact them at any time for further advice or information. They are trained in using many different makes and models and will be able to assess when your current hearing aid isn’t working well for you anymore. 

Additionally, they provide ongoing advice about protecting your hearing and can refer you to other specialists if they feel this needs to be investigated. 

Hearing instrument specialists play an important role in hearing health. They are best placed to find a hearing aid best suited to your level of hearing loss and needs. Once you have been fitted for your hearing aid, they also provide ongoing advice on how to use and look after your hearing aid to get the best out of it. They should also be your first port of call if you believe your hearing aid is malfunctioning. 

If you would like to find out more about our hearing instrument specialist services, call Better Hearing of Madison County today at (315) 693-3637