Is it time for a hearing aid?
The best way to answer this question is to be honest with yourself! Are you having difficulty hearing people at a restaraunt or in a crowd? Are you having trouble hearing at meetings, church, work, or school? And, most importantly, are other people telling you that you can't hear? Hearing loss is a normal and acceptable part of aging. If you notice any change in your hearing you should see a medical specialist. A thorough exam and hearing test will identify any hearing problems. Once a hearing loss is diagnosed a medical specialist will decide if a hearing aid or other medical treatments are necessary. If hearing aids are recommended, make sure there is a trial period offered which allows you to return the hearing aids at a low cost if the performance of the hearing aids is less than satisfactory.
If a medical specialist recommends a hearing aid, you should ensure that the right hearing aid is being prescribed for your specific hearing loss. Hearing aids are highly sophisticated pieces of technology, and are not designed as a "one-size-fits-all" product. Your medical specialist's staff should spend time to educate you about hearing aids and to find the specific aid that fits your hearing needs. There should be an ample trial period that allows you to return the hearing aids at a low cost. You should also be scheduled for return visits in order to discuss your experiences with the hearing aid so that it may be further tuned to meet your satisfaction.