Do I Need a Hearing Aid?

How To Know If You Need A Hearing Aid

The best way to know if you have a hearing loss and need a hearing aid or aids is to have a hearing evaluation done by an audiologist. The audiologist can fully describe your hearing loss and advise you on whether hearing aids will be a benefit. They may also recommend a medical evaluation if the hearing problem needs medical or surgical treatment.

Signs that you might have a hearing loss include:

• People seem to mumble or speak in a softer voice than they used to.
• You sometimes miss key words in a sentence or frequently ask people to repeat themselves.
• You need to turn up the TV or radio louder.
• Having a conversation on the telephone is difficult
• Family members or friends have mentioned that you might have a problem with your hearing.
• You avoid certain social situations (for example, theater, restaurants, parties) because it is difficult to hear.

Selection Process:

The selection process begins with a diagnostic hearing evaluation to determine the nature and extent of the hearing loss. The hearing test is performed with a piece of equipment called an audiometer. The test is best performed in a sound-treated booth. The object of the test is to determine the softest level a person can hear a range of frequencies or pitches. The results are plotted on a diagram called an audiogram. Speech testing is also conducted to evaluate how well the person can understand speech. The testing process determines whether hearing aids will be beneficial or if medical intervention is needed.