Buying Hearing Aids in Edinburgh? 

What You Need To Know When Buying Hearing Aids in Edinburgh

Most people never think about hearing aids until they need them. They never give them a thought, so buying hearing aids for the first time can be an enigma. However,  once you know what you should ask and what your chosen hearing care professional should do, it makes it a lot easier. So with this in mind we have tried to explain the hearing test and the questions you should ask.

Hearing Screening or Hearing Test?

A full hearing test is imperative to make decisions about any treatment options you may have. the test is the foundation of every decision that is made. A full hearing test is an in depth examination of the function of your hearing. A hearing screening on the other hand, is just that, it is a short screening of your ability to hear, it only gives a general overview of whether you have a hearing loss. 

What Can You Expect At A Hearing test

A hearing professional should give you a copy of the audiogram if you request it and any other test results, they should also give you a full explanation of all of the tests undertaken and their findings. During the hearing test they should ask you about the effect of any hearing loss on your life at home, work, school, using the phone, etc. They should also encourage a significant other to attend the consultation so they can discuss with them, the effect of your hearing loss on them.

The Audiogram

The audiogram details your hearing test results, it is a record of the quietest possible sounds you can hear across the differing frequencies of hearing that is tested. It also details exactly what type of hearing loss you have. Your hearing professional should explain to you:

• What your audiogram means
• What type of hearing loss you have
• Why you sometimes you can hear but not understand
• Why you can hear some sounds clearly and others not so clearly 
• What a hearing aid can do for you

Hearing Aids

If in fact you have a hearing loss your hearing professional will recommend hearing aids to you. His or her recommendation will be made on many factors. What do you need to know in relation to his or her recommendation. 

Why was a particular type of hearing aid recommended?

Your hearing care professional should make the basis of the recommendation clear. There is a huge choice of hearing aid types and manufacturers available in the United Kingdom for a professional to decide from.

There are usually specific reasons why one type of hearing aid is recommended for you. The grounds for the recommendation of a specific type of hearing device could be any of the following, your hearing loss, your physical dexterity, your eyesight, your lifestyle needs or your budget. In fact it may be a combination of all of these factors. You should know why.  

Your personal preferences

Your personal preferences in relation to hearing aids are always taken into account, The hearing aid dispenser will discuss the style of digital hearing aid, cost, or options for remote control or accessory devices.

 A good hearing aid dispenser should cover all of the options that are available, because you really don't know what you want until you know about it and the difference it might make to you.

While  every effort should be taken to take your preferences into account, sometimes some of them will have to be ignored. There are valid reasons for this to happen. It could be your eyesight, your hearing loss or your dexterity. The professional may have to ignore some of your preferences, but they should explain clearly why that is so. 

Hearing aid features explained

The features in a hearing aid are important to its function and in some cases your use of them. Directional microphones, noise reduction, self-adjusting volume control, telecoil options, etc should be explained to you.

You don't need an in-depth knowledge, just a high level explanation of the features and how they may work for you. Information about the telecoil and its uses should always be explained to you.

Loops are available in most public buildings in Edinburgh and indeed across Scotland, and can offer real benefit to the hearing impaired, but they can only be used if you have a telecoil in your hearing aid. As we have said, you can't make a decision unless you are fully informed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. You can take a look at the most popular hearing aids here.

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