What to Expect at Your Hearing Aid Evaluation

So, you’ve had a hearing test and hearing loss was confirmed. Now what?

The next step would be to make an appointment with one of our Audiologists.  Together we will go through a Communication Needs Assessment to find out what areas of your life are most important to you to improve. We will discuss different styles of hearing aids and different technology levels to determine what is best for you, your lifestyle, and financial considerations. If you choose a custom hearing aid, earmold impressions will be obtained to send to the manufacturer to make your hearing device. We will also discuss the addition of hearing aid accessories such as TV Streaming devices, Remote Controls, Remote Microphones, etc.

After making a recommendation and placing an order, we will schedule a hearing aid fitting appointment.  At this appointment we will spend a lot of time counseling and programming the device based on the prescriptive targets from your hearing evaluation. We will discuss care and maintenance of the devices, changing the batteries or using your charging station, how to put the hearing aids in your ears, and how to remove the hearing aids. We may also discuss communication strategies and realistic expectations with the devices. There is a lot of information presented at this appointment, so we recommend that you bring a friend, family member, or loved one.

After the hearing aid fitting appointment, we will schedule you for a follow up appointment at either 1 or 2 weeks into your adjustment period.  At this appointment we will make additional programming adjustments if necessary and address specific concerns or questions that you or your guest may have.

It’s that easy!

It is important to utilize the full 60-day adjustment period to your hearing aids. Chances are you are hearing sounds that you may have not heard for a while. Sounds may appear too crisp or tinny or your voice may sound hollow. Just like it takes time to get one’s depth perception back when fit with new glasses or contacts, it takes times to adjust to hearing aids. Hearing is a very complex system. When there is a hearing loss, the ear is unable to pick up on certain sounds and therefore cannot transmit the message clearly to the brain to be processed. The brain is a muscle and constantly adapts to incoming information or if there is a hearing loss, a decrease of information. Wearing your hearing aids consistently will help you to acclimate to the devices quicker.

Style of Hearing aids

There are several different styles of hearing aids available. Selection of a style is based on:

• Configuration of hearing loss
• Manual Dexterity
• Visual perception
• Features that are important to patient (i.e. – cosmetics, Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeability).
• Anatomy and shape of the ear
• Financial considerations

Styles Available:

• BTE – Behind the Ear
  • BTE with Slim Tip
  • BTE with traditional Earmold
  • RIC – Receiver in the Canal
• ITE – In the Ear
• ITC – In the Canal
• CIC – Completely in the Canal
• IIC – Invisible in the Canal

Balance information

Depending on your symptoms, your physician may order special tests to further evaluate the auditory and/or balance systems.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing

There are two types of ABR testing that we perform at Eastern Shore ENT Clinic. Both of which are non-invasive and can be completed in less than an hour.

During this test, electrodes are placed on the patient. The patient is then instructed to lie still, or to take a nap, while listening to some loud clicking sounds. Waveforms are then recorded for the audiologist to review. The audiologist is evaluating the integrity of the auditory nerve up to the more central regions of our auditory system.

The second ABR testing that we perform is a screening for infants and young children. During this procedure we can determine the presence or absence of hearing loss.

Electrocochleography (ECoG) testing

This test looks to see if there is a difference in the fluid levels in your balance center. The patient will have an electrode on their forehead and one in each ear. The audiologist will then play some loud clicks while the patient relaxes or takes a nap.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) testing

The VEMP measures a response from your ears while presenting loud clicks and when contracting your neck at the same time. It involves placement of electrodes on your neck and is evaluating the function of your saccule, which is another part of your balance system.

Videonystagmography (VNG) testing 

The VNG examination allows us to look at different parts of the balance system to help us determine the cause of your dizziness. There are special instructions that must be adhered to prior to completing the exam. These will be explained to you while scheduling the examination.

Patients will wear a set of goggles that will record your eye movements. The audiologist will have you follow a target on a TV screen and have you turn your head in different positions to see if changes in position elicit your symptoms. Finally, we will put warm and cool air in the ears to try to induce dizziness. This last test is evaluating the function of the horizontal semi-circular canal in your balance center.