Hearing Device Candidacy
A comprehensive hearing test will need to be completed by the audiologist to diagnose hearing loss in one or both ears. Once hearing loss has been diagnosed, the physician will complete a medical exam of the ears to ensure no medical condition exists that warrants intervention. The patient is then referred back to the audiologist for a Hearing Device Consultation. This appointment is scheduled for one hour.
At the consultation, the audiologists will explain in more depth about the patient’s hearing loss and how it will affect the recommendation for a hearing device. Hearing devices can be purchased from many different manufacturers.
If the patient’s chosen hearing device requires a custom earmold, the audiologist will check the ear for cerumen (wax) and then, proceed with taking an impression of the ear(s). The impressions are sent to the manufacturer for the mold or device to be formed.
Hearing Device Fitting and Purchase
Once the patient and audiologist have agreed on a device, the patient will be scheduled for a fitting appointment. This appointment is approximately two weeks following the consultation. At the fitting appointment, the audiologist will enter the patient’s hearing loss information into the computer and make initial programming changes to the hearing device(s). So that the patient understands how to operate the hearing device, the audiologist will show the patient how to turn the device on and, change the volume and adjust programming so that the patient is confident in how to operate the hearing device. The patient will also practice inserting and removing the device.
At the end of the fitting appointment, the audiologist will review the purchase agreement (receipt) with the patient. The purchase agreement shows the make and model of hearing devices purchased, the serial numbers, warranties for repair and replacement, and dates of the trial period.
Call Texas ENT & Allergy at (979) 693-7419 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
