Seeking treatment for hearing loss is a life-changing decision, and so is choosing a trusted professional to guide you in your treatment. The options for hearing technology have never been more plentiful and complicated.
Our caring professionals at [practice] are here to guide you through this decision-making process, assessing your specific needs and helping you to choose the right option.
OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) HEARING DEVICES
Appropriate for: Mild to moderate hearing loss
RISKS:
- Potential for exposure to unsafe noise levels, further damaging your hearing
- No clinical support
- No professional adjustment of progra
- Potential for exposure to unsafe noise levels, further damaging your hearing
- No clinical support
- No professional adjustment of programming based on hearing loss
- Not approved for individuals 18 years and younger
- No long-term plan of care or medical management
PURCHASE OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Can be purchased directly online or from a retailer
- Can be purchased without a medical professional’s guidance
- No hearing evaluation required
BENEFITS:
- Efficient purchase process
- Can be ordered from your home or in-store
- Device(s) can rest in the ear canal, behind the ear or around the neck
- Device(s) can be powered by replaceable batteries or be rechargeable
PRESCRIPTION-FIT HEARING AIDS
Appropriate for: All types and severities of hearing loss
RISKS:
- None
PURCHASE OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be purchased through a hearing health care professional (audiologist or hearing instrument specialist—dependent on practice)
- Requires a comprehensive assessment to accurately diagnose your hearing loss and prescribe appropriate treatment
BENEFITS:
- A customized hearing treatment plan
- Continued medical management of hearing loss
- Prescription-fit hearing aids that are professionally programmed to address the unique needs of the patient
- Ongoing support with adjustment to new sounds and new technology, including troubleshooting with accessories and smartphone apps
- Aid(s) can be custom fit in the ear or behind the ear, in discreet sizes
- Aid(s) can be powered by replaceable batteries or be rechargeable
Hearing Health Care Treatment Options
Communication Ability Scale and Corresponding Treatment Options
As auditory function declines, technology requirements increase.
Over-the-Counter Devices
Benefits Include:**
- Improved Audibility in Quiet
- Improved Speech Understanding in Quiet
- Limited Improvement in Noise
Prescription Hearing Aids
Benefits Include:**
- Improved Ability in Noise
- Improved Comfort in Noise
- Improved Speech Understanding in Noise
- Localizing of Sounds
- Telephone Use
- Listening to Music
Cochlear Implants
Benefits Include:**
- ALL THE BENEFITS OF HEARING SYSTEMS PLUS
- Direct Stimulation of the Inner Ear
- Optimizes Speech Understanding in Quiet and Noise