Our Services
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Hearing Device Candidacy
A comprehensive hearing test will need to be completed by the audiologist to diagnose hearing loss in one or both ears. Once hearing loss has been diagnosed, the physician will complete a medical exam of the ears to ensure no medical condition exists that warrants intervention. The patient is then referred back to the audiologist for a Hearing Device Consultation. This appointment is scheduled for one hour.
At the consultation, the audiologists will explain in more depth about the patient’s hearing loss and how it will affect the recommendation for a hearing device. Hearing devices can be purchased by many different manufacturers. At Camino ENT, the audiologist works with leading hearing device manufacturers to offer patients a wide variety of device styles and technologies. The audiologist explains the different levels of technology (basic, mid-range, and high-end), along with which style of hearing device is appropriate for the patient’s hearing loss. Hearing devices are an investment – the audiologist and patient will discuss the different price points so that the patient is aware of the final cost.
If the patient’s chosen hearing device requires a custom ear mold, the audiologist will check the ear for cerumen (wax) and then proceed with taking an impression of the ear(s). The impressions are sent to the manufacturer for the mold or device to be formed.
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Hearing Device Fitting and Purchase
Hearing Device Fitting and PurchaseOnce the patient and audiologist have agreed on a device, the patient will be scheduled for a fitting appointment. This appointment is approximately two weeks following the consultation. At the fitting appointment, the audiologist will enter the patient’s hearing loss information into the computer and make initial programming changes to the hearing device(s). So that the patient understands how to operate the hearing device, the audiologist will show the patient how to turn the device on or off, how to change volume and also programs. The patient will also practice inserting and removing the device.
At the end of the fitting appointment, the audiologist will review the purchase agreement (receipt) with the patient. The purchase agreement shows the make and model of hearing devices purchased, the serial numbers, warranties for repair and replacement, and dates of the trial period.
In the state of California, all hearing device consumers have a 30-day trial period in which to try the hearing device(s). It is common for the audiologist to make several programming adjustments to the hearing device(s) as the patient adjusts to the volume and sound quality. If the patient decides at the end of the trial period to return the hearing devices, the cost of the device(s) will be returned to the patient in full. Any insurance benefit or contribution applied to the device(s) will be taken into account when calculating the reimbursement.
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Hearing Device Follow-Up
Once the patient is fit with the hearing device, the audiologist will recommend at least one or two follow-up appointments within the trial period. Programming changes to volume and sound quality will be administered as the patient adjusts to wearing the device over time. Once the programming is optimized for the patient, it is recommended that the patient return for a 6-month and 12-month follow-up appointment. Then, the audiologist will recommend returning for a hearing device check and programming on an annual basis. Hearing device services such as cleaning, troubleshooting, and programming, are included at no cost during the warranty of the device(s).
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Hearing Device Troubleshooting
Hearing Device TroubleshootingAt the fitting appointment, the audiologist will show the patient how to troubleshoot the hearing device. Most of the time, when a hearing aid is weak or not working at all, the battery needs to be replaced or the receiver (where the sound is delivered into the ear canal) is plugged with wax. The audiologist will give the patient tools to clean the device, but patients are encouraged to call the audiologist when they feel their hearing devices may not be functioning appropriately. The audiologist will be able to run the hearing devices on a special computer designed to assess specifications of the hearing device. In some cases, the hearing device must be sent to the manufacturer for repair. If the device is out of warranty, there will be a repair cost from the manufacturer. A short-term warranty of 6- or 12-months will be included in this repair, for most newer devices.
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