Article By: Ruth Lawy, Hearing Instrument Specialist

As people age, there is usually some degree of hearing loss. Sometimes we notice it ourselves; more often family members start complaining that we’re not paying attention. Often it’s their idea that Grandpa (or Grandma) needs a hearing aid. The ear is a complicated organ, but the good news is that the technology for a variety of hearing devices is continually improving. But, sometimes it takes time to get exactly the right aid; and it takes patience – on the part of both the patient and the dispenser – to get the right one, and the precise adjustment needed.

Most extended Health Insurance Plans provide some coverage for hearing aids. Several provinces have subsidies as part of their Assistive Devices Programs. Unfortunately, a number do not.

Hearing loss can result in isolation, and difficulty enjoying conversation, and other social activities, and even cause problems when instructions are not really understood.

Once you decide to investigate the possibility of purchasing an aid, there are a few questions you should ask the audiologist who does the testing, as well as the dispenser, if you decide to buy.

• Is the loss about the same in both ears?
• Will the loss in both ears improve with hearing aids?
• According to your lifestyle – still working, retired, or not in a great variety of listening situations – do you need all the bells and whistles? Or, can you do with a mid-level technology?
• Will the aid adjust itself automatically? Will I be able to adjust it if I want to? (Most first-time users don’t want to have to fiddle with the aid, so they will have to consider going for a reasonably sophisticated one (mid-level), one that will change volume and operate differently depending on whether the user is in a quiet or noisy situation). Those who want to adjust the aid should find out if they can control the volume AND the listening program, and/or if the hearing aid comes with a remote control (this would be a high-end aid).
•  What would a high-end hearing aid give you that a mid-level technology aid would not?
• If the audiologist determines a hearing aid would be helpful, and unless s/he is also a dispenser, ask for a recommendation for one or more dispensers, and then ask which one s/he has most confidence in, and why?
• Does the dispensary charge for a separate service plan on top of the dispensing fee?
• Is there a holdback fee for an aid returned during the trial period?
• How long is the trial period? (45 days is the recommended.)
• Will it be possible to return during the first couple of months for adjustments and counselling?
  

Good as the technology is, it takes time to get used to this foreign body in your ear, particularly as it is amplifying in a way that, unfortunately, is not quite as natural as you remember. Another helpful hint– whether not you are wearing aids – at a long table, try to sit in the middle, not at one end. And if you are with someone with a hearing loss, remember that facial expressions are important, so don’t turn away while you are speaking, and don’t cover your face with your hands. Two more helpful hints to facilitate communicating with someone with a hearing loss – where possible, try to face them, so they know you’re talking to THEM. Next thing is to SLOW DOWN the rate of speech as much as possible. This gives the person with the loss more time to “fill in the missing pieces” from a less-than-perfect transmission system.

For more information you can call the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association’s toll-free number 1-800-263-8068 (In Canada Only) or contact them via email at chhanational@chha.ca.