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Top success factors in hearing care

There isn’t one solution to all hearing challenges. The approach to hearing care is different for everyone, and it depends on the type of hearing issues, the degree of hearing loss, overall health and lifestyle.


Even for common solutions (such as hearing aids), the results and steps to achieve those results are different for everyone that visits our Edmonton hearing clinic. 


Although success is defined differently for every person, there are common factors that we know improve the outcomes of hearing care. 


What success looks like

Success in hearing care is unique to every person. The ultimate outcomes of hearing technology or treatment are typically to hear better in the places or situations where it is difficult to hear. Or the outcome is to manage the unwanted impacts caused by tinnitus and other hearing-related conditions. Overall, the goal is to improve health and well-being.


Although “better hearing” is the goal, there are short-term and long-term achievements that are common. We often measure success by achieving these three milestones: getting a hearing test, committing to the selected treatment or technology, and integrating hearing aids into your daily routine.


Getting a hearing test

The act of having your hearing tested is an indicator of success. 


For many reasons, it is common to delay or avoid a hearing test. Many people need encouragement to book an examination and follow-through with hearing care. Key motivators to seek a hearing test include support from family or friends, recreation and leisure activities that rely on healthy hearing, and frustration over hearing loss.


Encouragement from a partner or family members is a key motivator. It can be difficult for everyone when one person cannot hear well. Not only do we want to be able to communicate effortlessly with our loved ones, but family members also tend to be encouraging when it comes to seeking treatment for hearing loss. 


Regularly participating in leisure activities that require healthy hearing is another motivating factor. Whether it’s going to the movies, playing a team sport or simply meeting a friend for coffee, hearing loss can make it difficult to enjoy many activities. Those who participate in them regularly will likely want to have their hearing test as soon as possible.


Experiencing hearing loss over an extended period will motivate people to have their hearing tested more regularly. Regular testing by an audiologist to monitor the existing hearing loss can help prevent further damage and ensure the treatment plan works for you. 


Short-term success

A good indicator of success that can be experienced in the short-term is that you regularly wear your hearing aids. All too often, people go through the process of being diagnosed with hearing loss and purchasing hearing aids, only to not wear them. 


Maybe they don’t work as expected, maybe they are difficult to use, or maybe you don’t like the way they look. 


Many of these concerns can be managed by selecting the optimal hearing aids for your lifestyle and needs. An audiologist at Professional Audiology will work with you to determine which features will make your life easier and help you choose a hearing aid that fits your preferences and lifestyle.


Long-term success

Long-term success is experienced when your hearing aids have become fully integrated into your daily routine. 


You no longer struggle to adapt to hearing with a device, and you don’t take them out throughout the day or leave them behind. Without hesitation, you put your hearing aids in when you wake up in the morning. 


Even further, long-term success means the challenges you experienced before wearing hearing aids are minimized. This can sometimes be obvious – such as noticing sounds you hadn’t previously been able to hear. You may find you have more energy for social events or conversations or feel less anxious when heading out to a crowded venue.


Top success factors

The success of hearing care is impacted by the presence of these top factors. Best of all, these factors don’t require additional expenses – just commitment to hearing care that is oriented around community, data, clinical care and positivity.


Involvement of family 

The involvement of the entire family is particularly important for children with hearing loss. Kids need to be taught things that adults with hearing loss already know how to do, such as being a self-advocate. 


Families can practise with them at home by encouraging them to identify their strengths and options for accommodating any needs.


Support and understanding from family and friends also benefits adults with hearing challenges. That is why we encourage you to bring in a family member or close friend when you are getting a hearing test. 


Letting data guide the decision

A comprehensive hearing test will not only verify whether or not hearing loss is present, but it will also determine the degree to which it is experienced, the root cause of the condition, and the best course of treatment. 


The data collected from these tests will help an audiologist match your care, treatment and technology with your current hearing and future needs. 


Choosing technology based on needs (rather than features)

Modern hearing aid technology comes in a wide array of options, but people often select hearing aids based on available features, such as Bluetooth connectivity. While size, style, and durability will play a role in your satisfaction with your hearing aids, matching the hearing aid to your hearing loss profile should be your main focus. 


Your audiologist will determine the level of technology for your hearing aids and the best features that you’ll actually use. 


Professional hearing aid fitting

It is essential to match your hearing aid to your hearing aid prescription. Our clinicians will use a real ear measurement to measure the performance of a hearing aid at every frequency while it is in your ears. This ensures the hearing aid is functioning as expected while you are wearing the devices.


Keeping a positive attitude

Wearing hearing aids is only one step in your hearing health journey. Commit to learning how to use your hearing aid to maximize your hearing. And make a point of noticing how your device enhance your life.


Adjusting to life with hearing aids requires practice and patience. A positive attitude throughout the process will be a crucial factor in your success.

How often should I get my hearing tested?

18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 

How hearing loops help when you’re out and about

18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

Tips for hearing better when dining out

18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
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