- SELECTING
A HEARING INSTRUMENT
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- Before purchasing
a hearing aid, check to see if you have done the following:
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- Consulted with
your physician or had your hearing problem evaluated by a medical
doctor.
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- Evaluated the
qualifications and services provided by your licensed Hearing
Instrument Specialist.
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- Carefully read
the user instruction brochure and terms of your hearing aid contract.
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- Made sure the
instrument comes with a warranty and that you understand its
terms
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- Selected a model
that fits comfortably, suits your individual needs and operates
with ease.
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- Hearing instruments
come in many types, designs and styles. Some provide a variety
of special features such as programmability, telephone pickups,
adjustable tone controls and microprocessors for noise filtration.
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- Therefore, hearing
instrument prices vary greatly, depending on the type of instrument,
the number of special features and the services provided by your
specialist.
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- Price should
not be the primary concern, except for the limitations of your
budget, when selecting hearing instruments. The objective is
to select hearing instruments that will meet your needs by providing
the most effective assistance for your hearing impairment.
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- Extensive laboratory
and field research has scientifically proven that people benefit
most from wearing a hearing instrument in each ear. This is commonly
referred to as a binaural fitting.
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- Benefits of
binaural hearing include an improved overall sound quality, clearer
speech perception in normal listening environments, increased
understanding in groups and noisy background situations, more
relaxed hearing, no longer straining to use the best ear and
a feeling of more balanced hearing.
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- A trained Hearing
Instrument Specialist has the experience and expertise needed
to assist you in selecting the hearing instrument that will provide
optimal amplification for your individual hearing loss.
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- The proper selection
of a hearing instrument encompasses not only a person's hearing
loss, but other factors, as well. Occupation, lifestyle, environment
and physical limitations (because of the dexterity needed to
adjust the hearing instrument's volume, change batteries, etc.)
must be considered before proper selection of the hearing instrument
can take place.
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- It is emphatically
recommended that you purchase a hearing instrument in person,
rather than through mail order or the Internet. Expert, personal
assistance is required in the evaluation of your hearing, the
selection and fitting of the hearing instrument and the follow-up
services needed for the successful use of your hearing system.
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- This can only
be accomplished through a professional relationship between you
and your Hearing Instrument Specialist.
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- Hearing instruments
today come in different styles and different circuit-types for
improved hearing for individual hearing needs.
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- Digital and
microprocessor technology are part of the newer hearing aid designs.
The cost of hearing aids reflects differences in size, advanced
technology and professional services. As a result, the range
of prices will vary for each aid. Allow your Hearing Instrument
Specialist to advise you of your options.
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- They will combine
their expertise of fitting hearing instruments with your personal
needs for hearing.
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