Scientific Verification Of Hearing Aid Performance Is The Only Way To Make Sure You Are Getting

The Best Results

1.  Quality Control.  Using a Hearing Instrument Analyzer, your provider should measure the power output, battery drain, and distortion and compare the results to the manufacturer’s published specifications.  This step is important because it makes sure from the start that your instruments are giving you the power and features that your provider prescribed for your hearing loss. 

2.  Physical Fit Check.  A comfortable physical fit is required if you are to use hearing aids daily.  A skilled provider can modify the shell of the aid to greatly improve comfort.  If discomfort continues after shell modifications, a factory re-case is required.  A poor fit is never acceptable. 

3. Performance Verification.  Three procedures should be done to ensure your hearing aids are meeting expectations and providing adequate audibility. 

 a).  Probe-mic Measures:  A miniature microphone is inserted in your ear canal between your eardrum and your hearing aid to measure the output and make sure it matches the prescriptive target to ensure it provides adequate audibility.   Different sound sources are available for taking the probe-mic measurement, however, recorded or live speech are considered the most valid by today’s progressive providers…after all, better speech understanding is the common goal of all hearing aid users.            

b).  Aided Loudness Measures are conducted to determine if the maximum output is acceptable.  Discomfort with loud sounds is a common complaint by hearing aid users and can lead to hearing aid rejection.  This test is designed to ensure that this problem is minimized by keeping loud, unpleasant sounds carefully controlled and not over-amplified.  Loud sounds should sound loud to new hearing aid users but not painful, unbearable or unpleasant.  Loudness measurements are performed in the soundbooth while wearing your hearing aids.    

c).   Aided Speech Intelligibility Tests.  This test determines if aided performance meets the target level established during the evaluation. This testing is best done in the sound booth without visibility of your provider’s face.  Your provider will test your aided understanding of speech, simulating quiet conditions as well as noisy conditions in an effort to carefully estimate your ability to understand voices with your hearing aids.  In many instances, YOU will not know when your instrument is functioning below ideal levels.  This is where a skilled, trustworthy provider will take corrective action to enhance your hearing, understanding, and comfort levels, even though you may not realize adjustments are needed.     

Performance Verification during the first three weeks of your hearing aid use will ensure greater hearing aid satisfaction because maximum benefit is achieved.  Based on information obtained during your initial comprehensive evaluation, your provider will be able to give you a realistic prognosis for success with hearing aids.  Verification testing confirms that you are hearing at the correct levels, or reveals the need to take action so you will achieve an optimal outcome.  

Tip: The use of outcome verification measures separates the leaders in hearing health care from “short-cut” providers.  Your long term success and not a “quick sale”/or “quick fix” is the goal of an outstanding provider.

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