If you’ve recently received your first pair of hearing aids, congratulations on this exciting step! Between enjoying the newly amplified music at the Encore Performing Arts Center or laughing at a clever line in your favorite movie, be sure to take time to learn why follow-up appointments are essential for achieving the best possible treatment experience.
Why Follow-up Appointments Matter
Think of your hearing aids like a car. Your car requires gas, oil changes, new tires and regular cleaning to stay well-functioning and comfortable. Hearing aids may not need oil changes, but they do require the occasional tune-up to function effectively.
What Does a Hearing Aid Tune-up Involve?
Initial tune-ups, also called repair and service appointments, give us an opportunity to troubleshoot any issues you might encounter as a first-time hearing aid wearer or to adjust the device’s programming as needed.
Future appointments are focused on extending the lifespan of your devices and ensuring the programming still fits your profile. They typically involve the following:
- Deep cleaning. Our specialists will deep clean your devices to remove any buildup that may remain after your daily cleaning routine. Think of it like brushing your teeth at home versus the more thorough cleaning you receive from your dental hygienist.
- Programming check. Your hearing needs can change over time, so we may fine-tune programming to improve clarity. This is a good time to bring up any concerns you have about how things sound in your day-to-day life.
- Parts inspection. We will examine the tubing, domes and wax guards to see if anything needs to be replaced.
- Hearing test or ear exam. If your hearing aids aren’t providing enough amplification, we may perform a hearing test or an ear exam to check for any changes in your hearing or middle-ear issues, such as wax buildup, that could be blocking sound.
An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids. Scheduling these follow-up appointments is essential to ensuring you get the most benefit from your devices.
How Should I Prepare for a Follow-up Appointment?
You don’t have to do much to prepare for a follow-up appointment! We’ll take care of almost everything. However, if you notice any issues with your devices or have questions about your changing hearing needs, feel free to write them down so we can make sure you leave with all the information you need to thrive.
For more information or to schedule your hearing aid follow-up appointment, contact Hearing Wellness Center today.