This year has brought many challenges for everyone! With people being required to isolate and stay home, patients and consumers are forced to look online for services. With the advent of telehealth in full force this year, many people are talking to health professionals online via Zoom or video chat rather than in person.
Unfortunately, some medical appointments require an office visit. At Conejo Hearing Center we provide audiological testing and hearing aid evaluations, fitting and support. While the internet is full of information on hearing aid products and online hearing tests, we know the importance of proper testing and diagnosis, fitting protocols, troubleshooting and follow-ups.
Hearing loss can result from a variety of conditions, so proper diagnosis and potential medical referrals are imperative. While an online test might provide a guestimate about one’s hearing abilities, this method is far inferior to the testing protocols performed by a professional audiologist.
Additionally, hearing devices are not one size fits all and are only part of a complete comprehensive evaluation and hearing care plan. Websites may contain an abundance of information but are often very confusing to sort through and do not employ the use of counseling with a communication needs assessments and communication strategies. Talking to someone over the phone can never adequately replace face-to-face interaction.
Avoid ordering a hearing device online and having them mailed to you. These are FDA-approved medical devices and should be treated as such. Hearing loss is a medical condition and should be approached with a high medical standard of care. Devices need to be custom fit to your ear rather than arrive in a box with various pieces to be figured out.
A hearing professional can help you select and fit the best device for your ears and will perform in-office measurements to ensure the hearing devices are set to your hearing specifications. Care and use of the devices and setting up Bluetooth connections are covered during the appointment. Rehabilitative expectations and the course of treatment is also reviewed. The staff at Conejo Hearing will walk closely with you on your journey to better hearing, providing tools and support for success. Treating hearing loss is not an instant fix, as the brain needs time to adjust and acclimate to the new sounds it is hearing. Follow-up appointments are critical to achieve the best audibility for each person’s needs.
Developing a relationship with your local hearing care professional helps ensure each individual’s specific needs are heard and addressed. Many repairs and troubleshooting can be conveniently performed in the office. Advances in digital technology and Bluetooth connectivity have also enhanced hearing telehealth, enabling audiologists to remotely connect to your devices and make changes without requiring a trip to the office. Thankfully, these increased capabilities serve as great tools to utilize for continued support, while not replacing a hearing professional’s expertise in diagnosing and treating hearing problems.
For more information, call 818.991.3800 or visit ConejoHearingCenter.com.
Christine Wilson has been a licensed audiologist since 1999 and holds a B.S. in Business Administration, an M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences (Audiology) and a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and owner of Conejo Hearing Center, located at 5655 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 506 in Westlake Village.