Why Choose a Hearing Instrument Specialist?

If you believe that your hearing might not be as good as it once was, your first instinct is to find a professional who can provide a diagnosis and offer treatment options. However, that process can be challenging. Today there are many different hearing professionals out there, all seemingly offering something different. 

In this post, we take a look at some of the reasons you might want to go to a hearing instrument specialist (HIS). These professionals identify common causes of hearing loss and provide patients with hearing aids suitable for their needs. 

A High Level of Training and Experience

Becoming a hearing instrument specialist requires extensive training and experience. To become board certified in most states, HIS candidates must: 

• Complete a training course approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Pass the National Competency Examination
• Have at least two years of experience in the field

HIS who pass these requirements gain the board-certified credentials. 

Most HIS need a minimum of a high-school diploma to work in the field. However, many employers insist that candidates have a degree in a related subject for full-time work in hearing instrument dispensing. 

Hence, when you go to a HIS, you know that you are getting medical attention from a highly qualified, trained and experienced individual. This training allows HIS to provide you with the best possible advice and offer hearing aids that suit your specific needs. 

Great for Hearing Tests

HIS can also perform hearing tests. To conduct the test, the HIS will ask you to wear a pair of headphones. They will then pipe you sounds of varying frequency. When they do, you indicate when you can hear a sound and the HIS will record the result. 

Hearing instrument specialists are great because they will often sit down with you and go through the results. They can tell you whether your hearing is normal or if you have a case of hearing loss. They can also explain what the output of their tests means, so you can see precisely what type of hearing loss you have. For example, hearing loss might be greater in your left ear than your right, or you might struggle to hear sounds in the upper range more than the lower. 

Great for Hearing Aid Adjustments

Hearing instrument specialists can also make hearing aid adjustments for you. For instance, you may find that your hearing aid isn’t quite right after an initial fitting. If that’s the case, you can return to your HIS and ask them to change some of the settings. They will then work with you to find a combination that works best for you. 

Furthermore, you can often use them for hearing aid troubleshooting and repairs. HIS often have in-depth knowledge that allows them to assess your hearing aids and recommend fixes or replacement. 

Great for Choosing Hearing Aids

Today’s hearing aid market is enormous. There are many different styles, all offering an abundance of features. Thus, picking the right one for you and your budget can be a challenge. 

HIS are great in this regard too. They talk to you about your lifestyle and then use any information they gather to find a device that will suit you best, always taking your preferences into account. 

First, they will start by discussing the form factor of the device that you need, such as in-the-ear, behind-the-ear or in-the-canal. Then they will move on to talking about features such as noise-cancelling, telecoils and Bluetooth. 

Once they narrow down suitable devices, they will show you a selection they believe would be appropriate for you. Good HIS never push any particular product on you. Instead, they function as a guide, steering you towards the best choices. 

Honest, Open and Communicative

Perhaps the best thing about HIS is the fact that you can talk to them about anything to do with your hearing or hearing aids. For example, if you are struggling to use your hearing aids the way that you would like, hearing instrument specialists will help you find a device that works better for you. You can also talk to them frankly about any hearing loss progression or worries that you might have about your hearing.

Choosing the right hearing instrument specialist can be exceptionally rewarding. However, to get the most out of the relationship, you’ll need to be open and honest about your requirements. 

Our hearing instrument specialists at Beltone Hearing Center – Lethbridge are always happy to help. If you’d like to learn more about our services, please contact us at 403-942-4327.