You may be surprised to learn that hearing aids are only part of the solution. At Williams Lake Hearing Clinic, we recognize that successfully solving the complex equation of your unique hearing loss comes down to three key elements:
- Your readiness and motivation
- Your hearing care provider
- Hearing instruments
Your readiness and motivation
If you’re living with hearing loss, the first step toward a successful solution is your willingness and motivation to invest some time and energy into improving your hearing and listening ability.
The greater the degree of your hearing loss and the longer you have lived with it, the longer it will take to make these new sounds sound “normal.” If you’re not patient and motivated to improve your hearing, you’ll likely give up.
Your hearing care provider
To successfully improve your hearing, it’s important to find a hearing care provider that you like and trust. This means not only finding someone with the right certifications and plenty of experience, but also making sure it’s someone you feel comfortable working closely with over the long-term.
We recommend that you visit your hearing care provider at least twice a year to keep your hearing in top shape. Scheduling three to four visits per year is ideal and will ensure you’re getting the most out of your hearing aids.
The job of your hearing care provider is to assess the problem, evaluate the need, decide on the appropriate solution and help you achieve a successful outcome. You’ll want to choose someone who is qualified, knowledgeable and comfortable with the technology involved—while also being an excellent communicator—in order to best serve you and your individual needs.
Perception and comfort level are different for every individual; so even though many precise measurements are taken to prescribe appropriate device settings, finding the most successful hearing solution is still somewhat of an art form. We all have different preferences and respond differently to different auditory cues, similar to how some people prefer vibrant colours and others prefer muted hues. The registered hearing instrument practitioner (RHIP) programming your hearing instruments must be attuned to your personal preferences and how many different variables apply to you individually.
Your hearing care provider will be your guide as you re-learn the listening and communication skills that have atrophied due to your hearing loss. Slowly and deliberately, they’ll adjust the settings of your hearing instruments as you adapt to your new listening abilities.
Hearing instruments
It would be wonderful if finding the right hearing aids was as easy as just picking a pair off the shelf; but with so many features, styles and price points, it’s nearly impossible for you to choose the right instruments on your own.
This is where your hearing care provider comes in. Working with you, they will determine the most appropriate solution based on the degree and type of your hearing loss, listening needs and other factors. From finding the right hearing devices for you, providing support, scheduling follow-up visits and developing an individualized aural rehabilitation plan, they will develop a comprehensive solution to manage your hearing loss.
How do you know if you’ve found the right hearing instruments? The best measure of successful hearing aids is forgetting you’re wearing them at all. The ideal instruments give you excellent sound quality and are comfortable, reliable and easy to use with minimal effort on your part. You should be able to wear your hearing aids all day long without experiencing any discomfort.
For a detailed overview of a hearing solution tailored for your unique hearing loss, lifestyle and budget, call us at 250-392-4030 or contact us today.
