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Existing Hearing Aid Users
If you already use a hearing aid, but need to be reassessed
or re-fitted, you will normally need to attend for two appointments. Your
audiologist will need to have detailed information about your hearing
levels and listening needs to make sure that you get the maximum benefit
from your hearing aid.
1. Reassessment/Re-fitting visit (at least 60 mins)
You can expect the audiologist to:
- Ask you if there are any changes or additions
to your medical history.
- Ask you some specific questions about how you use your
current hearing aid and how much it helps in certain situations.
- Carry out Otoscopy, to look for wax, blockages, or any
problems with your ear canal or ear drum which need to be taken into
account when fitting an aid.
- Insert the earmould into your ear, and trim the tube
to the correct length.
- Check that the earmould is comfortable and can be inserted/removed
easily. If it is too tight or uncomfortable in places, the audiologist
can modify it using various tools.
- Perform a ‘real ear measurement’ to check
that the new aid is working correctly.
The audiologist will put a narrow tube down your ear canal, which can
tickle, but should not hurt. She or he will then play some sounds through
a loudspeaker, and measure the sound in your ear both without and with
your new hearing aid in place. This makes sure that the hearing aid
is amplifying sounds correctly for your hearing loss and your ear.
- Ask you how things sound, and make any necessary adjustments
to the aid.
- Teach you how to do the following:
- Change the battery
- Operate the controls
- Insert and remove the aid
- Use loop systems where available. Your audiologist
will explain this to you, but more information is available. [Link
to RNID factsheet on loop systems].
- Take care of your hearing aid
- Give you advice on using your hearing aid and getting
used to it, including written information.
- Book your next appointment for 8-12 weeks.
Follow up at 8-12 weeks
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