Hearing or the lack of, leads to negative consequences in most social situations, and there are consequences to those situations. If you are hearing-impaired, you know exactly what I am referring to. Perhaps it is that missed smoke alarm that other reacted to, or a door bell that went unanswered, or an alarm clock that just kept on buzzing.
In each case the consequences can be at the very least embarrassing, at the most life-threatening. Even the slightest hearing impairment needs to be addressed and evaluated by a professional in that field. That field is audiology and the professionals that practice this are called audiologists. They have the education and experience in evaluating and dealing with the extent of your hearing loss
However, don't run out and buy just any hearing aid. This is just too important an issue in your everyday life. Don't settle for a lesser lifestyle, especially when you can do something about it. Be pro-active in your search for a qualified audiologist. Find an audiologist whose specialty is not only dealing with the loss of hearing, but also treating that loss.
Schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation with the audiologist. After the hearing evaluation, the audiologist will take his time explaining the loss. He will go over the degree of your impairment, be it mild, moderate, severe, or profound. The audiologist will ask you questions regarding your lifestyle.
This will clarify the extent of your hearing impairment in daily situations and your responses will be used by the audiologist in his evaluation for selection of your hearing aid. Discuss pricing with the audiologist. Perhaps financing is available. You will discuss your lifestyle and understand the choices that are available to you within your budget. Your audiologist, who is a hearing professional, will take the time to explain what the price includes, and what it does not, including warranty and a trial period.
Once that is determined and the audiologist has evaluated your comprehensive hearing evaluation, he will discuss what he has determined from his training, experience and evaluation are the best choices available to you and give you a recommendation. Whether it is a Behind-the-Ear "BTE", Receiver-in-Canal "RIC", In-the-Ear "ITE", In-the-Canal "ITC", Half Shell "HS", Completely-in-Canal "CIC", or Invisible-in-Canal "IIC", there is a unit for you.
Once you are wearing your hearing instrument, practice listening for loud background noise, buzzing or whistling, and slowly make your adjustments according to the audiologist's recommendations. Proper fitting and follow-up visits may be necessary to enjoy the benefits of this miraculous aid that will improve and secure your life. Adjustments with the audiologist are quite common. If that is the case, reoccurring visits will be scheduled as you adjust to this wonderful new aid and hear what you've been missing.