Hearing loss affects nearly 20% of the global population. Despite how common the condition is, it can be unnerving to realize that your hearing is fading. Understanding the path forward can help you approach treatment with confidence.
1. After Your Hearing Test
During your hearing test, your specialist will plot your results on an audiogram—a visual representation of your hearing abilities. The chart will explain which volumes and frequencies your ears struggle to hear. After they finish conducting the test, they’ll give you a few hearing aid options:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE). BTE hearing aids sit behind the ear and connect to an earmold or dome in the ear. Â
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC). RIC devices are similar to BTEs, but with the speaker sitting in the ear canal.
- In-the-ear (ITE). ITE hearing aids sit in the outer, bowl-shaped part of your ear. They can be either a half-dome, filling half of the bowl, or a whole dome, filling the entire outer ear.
- In-the-canal (ITC). ITC hearing aids, which sit partly inside the ear canal, are slightly smaller and less visible than their ITE counterparts.
- Completely-in-canal (CIC). CIC devices are tiny and sit deeper in the ear canal than their CIC counterparts.
- Invisible-in-canal (IIC). The smallest and most discreet option, IIC hearing aids sit completely in the ear canal, featuring a tiny pull cord for easy insertion and removal.
The hearing aid options available to you will depend on your level of hearing loss and style preferences. For example, if you have moderate to profound hearing loss, they may recommend a BTE device. On the other hand, if you have mild hearing loss and want a subtler device, they may recommend IIC hearing aids.
2. Fitting
After you select your devices and your hearing aid specialist receives them from the manufacturer, they’ll schedule a fitting appointment. During this visit, they’ll fine-tune the hearing aid settings to match your hearing needs, show you how to insert and remove the devices, explain how to clean and care for them and walk you through using the companion app.
3. Acclimating
After you leave with your hearing aids, you can expect a short acclimation period. When you can suddenly discern things like birds tweeting in Gathering Place Park or the sound of your dishwasher running, it can feel jarring at first. That’s nothing to worry about. In a few weeks, things should start feeling normal again, and you can enjoy all the wonderful sounds your devices offer.
If you’re ready to start your hearing loss treatment journey, contact Eastern Oklahoma Ear Nose and Throat – Yale Office today for an appointment with one of our specialists.