Last week in Take Heart, I talked about the difference between GETTING hearing aids (or a knee replacement) and taking the Hearing Care JOURNEY. I recently met someone who GOT and BOUGHT their first set of hearing aids, hoping to solve some of their communication problems. Instead, they became frustrated and disgusted that they ever tried hearing aids in the first place.
And sadly, there are more ways to GET hearing aids than ever before
Self-fitting over-the-counter hearing aids. Preset OTC hearing aids. Online hearing aids. Most of these aids require you to assemble them. Imagine trying to fit the aids to your ears and then having to use your phone to adjust them for loudness and clarity. They may sound good in a quiet room at home but what happens when you step outside in the noisy world? It can be confusing and discouraging.
This boggles my mind AND concerns me deeply
On top of that, OTC hearing aids don’t even require that you have your hearing tested. Many of the companies that have entered the market since the FDA approved OTC hearing aids are in it for the money, for short-term profits.
A new client to Avalon recently shared that his sons had bought some OTC aids online because he was struggling with his hearing and turning up the TV too loud for them. He said it was a nightmare, trying to figure it all out, thanked them, and told them to get a refund. He remembered having an EDUCATIONAL Hearing Test at Avalon last year but didn’t think his hearing was that bad, at the time. He felt that he was too young to need hearing help and did not want to spend the money on HEARING CARE.
Notice that I did not say HEARING AIDS?
I said HEARING CARE which included the hearing aids plus Avalon’s ALWAYSCare Program that gets and keeps you hearing the best you can for life. Your life, right now, and for years to come! After delivering his new hearing aids – his prescription hearing aids – and doing three follow-up visits to best match his hearing loss and his listening preferences, he declared that he was so happy to have chosen Avalon.
Did you know that one out of three hearing aid purchases made by first-time buyers ends up in a drawer? That’s because first-time buyers are often uninformed and simply don’t know where to get good information for themselves. Here is some great advice.
Don’t make these FIVE MISTAKES
- Most people are reluctant to get help for their hearing. When they finally do, they allow themselves to become victims in the process because they didn’t want hearing aids anyways. First-time buyers fall prey to being treated like a number in an impersonal, busy medical system or worse, get seduced by high-pressure sales. Get a second opinion.
- People treat a hearing aid purchase like buying a TV – hearing instruments are complex medical devices that need adjustments and programming. You and your family also need special care and counseling as you go through the process of learning to hear in a whole new way. This process takes a minimum of four to six weeks for the average person.
- People buy hearing aids based on a quick 15-20 minute hearing test – It is extremely important that your hearing healthcare provider get a complete medical history and performs a full lifestyle assessment. A thorough hearing test and consultation takes closer to an hour. Anything less, you are not getting the care you need and deserve. AND make sure that your provider gets to know you. Hearing aids should not be dispensed to you. They are not magical pills.
- They don’t get a second opinion – People often feel trapped or obligated to go through their HMO or insurance. 80% of the time, people do not have any hearing aid benefits and will have to purchase them out of their own pocket. Choose where you want to go rather than blindly go through the medical system.
- They don’t trust their gut feelings about the office and the hearing care provider – Always trust your gut feelings. Don’t buy from anyone if you are uncomfortable about how you are being treated.
But most important of all….
Think of it as a HEARING CARE JOURNEY instead of getting hearing aids!
If you are ready to take on your hearing loss, make it a JOURNEY and choose the right ‘travel agent’ for you. Your journey will be educational, fun and you’ll get adopted into the Avalon Family!