The Importance of Follow-Up Appointments After Getting New Hearing Aids

Getting new hearing aids marks the beginning of your journey to better hearing, not the end. Regular follow-up appointments play a vital role in ensuring you receive the maximum benefit from your hearing aids and maintain their performance over time.

Why Follow-Up Care Matters

The First Few Weeks

When you first receive your hearing aids, your brain needs time to adjust to processing sounds it may not have heard clearly for years. During this adaptation period, certain sounds might seem too loud, while others may need adjustment. This is normal and expected - your brain is relearning how to filter and process these sounds. Regular follow-up appointments during this period help ensure your hearing aids are properly adjusted as you adapt.

Real Ear Measurements

At Silicon Valley Hearing, we use Real Ear Measurement (REM) technology during fitting and follow-up appointments. This objective measurement places a tiny microphone in your ear canal to verify the actual sound output of your hearing aids. Through REM, we can:

• Confirm appropriate amplification levels
• Adjust settings for optimal speech understanding
• Ensure comfortable listening across all frequencies
• Verify manufacturer programming claims

Fine-Tuning Your Devices

Modern hearing aids like the Oticon Intent, Phonak Infinio, Resound Nexia, Starkey Genesis AI, and Widex Moment Sheer offer sophisticated features that may need adjustment based on your experience:

Sound Processing

• Adjustment of speech enhancement settings
• Fine-tuning of background noise reduction
• Optimization of directional microphones
• Customization of sound preferences

Comfort Settings

• Volume levels for different environments
• Adjustment of automatic program changes
• Management of feedback cancellation
• Fine-tuning of tinnitus management features

Connectivity Options

• Setup and adjustment of Bluetooth connections
• Programming of streaming sound levels
• Configuration of smartphone app features
• Optimization of multiple device connections

The Follow-Up Schedule

Initial Period (First Month)

During your first month with new hearing aids, you may need several appointments to address:

• Physical fit and comfort
• Sound quality and loudness
• Program adjustments
• Learning to insert and remove devices
• Battery management and charging
• Basic maintenance and cleaning

Six-Month Visit

At this point, we assess:

• Overall satisfaction and benefit
• Performance in different environments
• Need for program adjustments
• Physical condition of devices
• Updated hearing evaluation if needed

Annual Maintenance

Yearly appointments include:

• Comprehensive hearing evaluation
• Deep cleaning of devices
• Verification of settings
• Assessment of device function
• Discussion of technology updates

Maximizing Your Investment

Regular follow-up care helps protect your investment in better hearing by:

Preventing Problems

• Early identification of potential issues
• Regular cleaning and maintenance
• Verification of proper function
• Prevention of unnecessary repairs

Optimizing Performance

• Regular programming adjustments
• Updates to account for changes in hearing
• Maximizing feature benefits
• Ensuring comfort and satisfaction

Technical Support

• Assistance with smartphone apps
• Help with connectivity issues
• Guidance on feature use
• Updates to device software

The Role of Professional Care

Working with an experienced audiologist provides several advantages:

Expertise

Our audiologists understand both the technical aspects of hearing aids and the personal journey of hearing loss adaptation. Dr. Marni Novick brings personal experience wearing hearing aids to her practice, offering unique insight into the challenges and solutions you might encounter.

Comprehensive Care

Professional follow-up care includes:

• Technical device support
• Communication strategies
• Listening training when needed
• Family education and support
• Access to manufacturer updates

Verification of Benefit

We use objective measures to verify:

• Appropriate amplification levels
• Speech understanding improvement
• Proper device function
• Overall benefit from devices

Making the Most of Follow-Up Care

To get the maximum benefit from your follow-up appointments:

Keep a Log

Note any situations where you:

• Have difficulty hearing
• Experience discomfort
• Notice technical issues
• Have questions about features

Bring Support

Having a family member or friend attend appointments can:

• Provide additional perspective on your progress
• Help remember important information
• Learn how to assist with device care
• Understand communication strategies

Ask Questions

Your audiologist wants to ensure you understand:

• How to use all device features
• Proper care and maintenance
• When to seek additional help
• What to expect from your devices

Schedule Your Follow-Up Care

At Silicon Valley Hearing, we are committed to providing comprehensive care throughout your hearing journey. Regular follow-up appointments help ensure your success with hearing aids and maintain their optimal performance. Contact our Los Gatos office at (408) 540-7128 to schedule your next follow-up appointment or discuss any concerns about your hearing aids.