The Importance of Follow Up Appointments with your Audiologist

January 23, 2024

In the realm of hearing health, prioritizing comprehensive aftercare is paramount for the longevity and effectiveness of your hearing aids. At Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte, we understand that the journey to better hearing extends far beyond the initial acquisition of hearing aids. It involves a continuous partnership with a caring professional who can offer personalized support and adjustments. This level of dedicated aftercare is not merely an additional service; it's the foundation of effective hearing care, ensuring your hearing aids perform optimally throughout their lifespan.

Maintaining your hearing health is a lifelong commitment, and ensuring the optimal performance of your hearing aids is a crucial part of that journey. The team at Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte is dedicated to guiding you through this journey, emphasizing the importance of follow-up appointments with your audiologist.

Getting Used To Hearing Aids Takes Time

Adjusting to new hearing aids is a process that takes time and patience. When you first start wearing them, your brain needs to re-learn how to process the sounds it hasn't been hearing clearly.

At first, everyday sounds may seem unusually loud or strange. The rustling of leaves, the hum of a refrigerator, or even your own footsteps can sound different and more pronounced. Your tolerance to volume levels might change. You might find certain noises overwhelmingly loud until your brain adjusts to the new volume levels. Understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, can be challenging at first. It might take some time before conversations sound clear and natural. Finally, wearing hearing aids for the first time can feel odd. Your ears might feel full, or you might be overly aware of the device in your ear.

The journey to comfortable and effective use of hearing aids is a process that extends beyond the initial fitting. That’s why good follow-up care is a critical component of successful hearing aid use. It ensures that you not only adjust to your new hearing aids but also maximize their benefits for a better quality of life.

Why You Need Follow-up Appointments

Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist are vital to guarantee the best hearing experience. Why are these follow-up visits so important? Let's delve into the reasons.

You Get Regular Maintenance and Cleaning

During routine appointments, your hearing aids undergo thorough cleaning and maintenance. Dust, skin cells, debris, and wax can block the tiny microphones and speakers in your hearing aids, impairing their performance. Regular cleaning can prevent these issues, ensuring optimal sound quality and longevity of your device.

Hearing Aid Performance Improves

Audiologists use specialized equipment to evaluate the performance of your hearing aids. This assessment exceeds what the human ear can perceive, checking for noise and distortion that may affect sound quality and fidelity.

Optimal Battery Health

For those with rechargeable hearing aids, routine appointments offer an opportunity to assess the health of your batteries. Over time, lithium-ion batteries lose their ability to hold a full charge, which could result in sub-optimal power throughout the day. By monitoring the battery condition, we can address any issues proactively.

You Can Account for Changes in Your Hearing Ability

Our ability to hear can decline over time due to age and environmental factors. During routine appointments, your audiologist will assess any changes in your hearing and adjust the hearing aid settings accordingly.

Dealing with Hidden Issues

Regular check-ups can reveal unexpected issues that could significantly impact your hearing experience. Things like lodged domes, wax build-up, debris, or foreign objects in the ear canal can cause irritation and hinder the effectiveness of your hearing aids.

The Follow-up Appointment: What to Expect?

Follow-up visits are designed to address any challenges you might be facing with your new hearing aids, and to ensure that you are receiving the maximum benefit from them.

We’ll Address your Initial Concerns

During the initial weeks of using your hearing aids, you might encounter some difficulties. Maybe the device feels uncomfortable, or you're having trouble connecting to Bluetooth. No matter the issue, we’re there to help.

We’ll Help you Adjust to Life With Hearing Aids

Getting used to hearing aids takes time. We will guide you through this adjustment phase, offering tips and reassurance.

Lifestyle Changes and Hearing Aid Calibration

As you return to your daily routines, you might find that your hearing aids need calibration to provide an optimal sound level and experience. We can adjust the settings accordingly, ensuring your comfort and satisfaction.

In conclusion, treating your hearing loss is as much about the ongoing care as it is about the initial diagnosis. By prioritizing regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist at Audiology & Hearing Services of Charlotte, you invest in a lifetime of clear and meaningful communication.

Written by
Reviewed by
Dr. Melissa Karp, Au.D.
Audiologist
Read full bio

Melissa Karp is a board-certified audiologist with special expertise in tinnitus treatment, auditory processing disorder (APD) evaluation, hearing aid fitting and aural rehabilitation.

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