The life of a hearing aid...In a drawer

I've been writing this column since March 2008.  When I started doing it, I didn't really think that it would have much 'traffic'.  Little did I know that was a false presumption.

While I've learned many things that even I didn't know, I've also gotten to the point of utter frustration in trying to research some of the questions that I'm getting via emails and phone calls.  Initially, I would try and answer each and every email or phone call, but due to time constraints, that soon became impossible.  Now, I keep track of what questions are being asked and then write a column on that subject once it hits a dozen or more queries.  If you are wondering where my email to you is, check the columns and you will more than likely see your answer.  For those of you that are really having a hard time, I'm still trying my best to respond personally.

Over the past 2 1/2 years, I've heard from thousands of people in 14 countries as well as the U.S.  Thank goodness email will translate different languages into English.  Although some of the slang used in other countries is quite interesting once it is read in English. :)

The most common questions that I am still receiving have to do with programming of a hearing aid.  I can't tell you how many people I heard from or even seen that got new or even their first HA's and within 3 months they are now residing in their drawer.  Based on how much you pay for these things, that's a very expensive drawer decoration.

I've been in the same situation with my own HA's.  While you can go back to the audiologist for a limited period of time for 'free' tune-ups, you eventually get tired of going through the process and time and finally give up.  This is not the ideal solution for anyone.  It adds more frustration to you and your family members and puts you back into the world that you tried so hard to get out of.  

While audi's are great at testing and fitting, there are a lot of them out there that just don't understand the programming end from our view.  Everyone hears differently.  It can be influenced by the weather, environment and acoustics of where you are at.  Add in the accumulation of wax in tubing and I can certainly understand why your HA's are now in the drawer.  There are times when I take mine out because of the frustration of trying to hear and the lack of being able to fix or control it.  

I'm not sure why the audi's are doing what they are doing.  But, it sure would be nice to have some sort of survey done on how many with HA's actually use them everyday and if they don't what the problem is.  I've talked to audi's that get a little bent out of shape when I've asked why they can't seem to program the HA's to fit the patient and others that are so stuck in following the book on it that they are unable to see the light.  I know of one here in the State that actually knows what she is doing.  But, it may be because she also has a hearing loss and really understands what we are trying to tell her.  

I've tried to get some stats on this, but as most of you know, we are part of the uncounted.  Not even the State hearing loss offices know how many of us there are out here.  The U.S. Census Bureau has some information via their 2008 American Community Survey, but it doesn't include a total count.  The audi's can't tell me how many patients they have due to HIPPA laws.  At this point, the VA has the most accurate information.  Since they are now deep in the HA business, you can look up the minutes of the meetings that are held in Washington, DC and see how many HA units they are dispensing.  Since 2008, the number has gone up dramatically due to the return of service personnel from the current conflicts.  A lot of the Vets are also learning that getting their hearing loss taken care of via the VA is a lot easier on their wallets.  Based on the minutes from the 2009 Spring meeting for the VA, they are now paying about 10-15% for the same product that those of us not in the military are paying.  That doesn't make sense to me either.  How can a HA manufacturer charge the VA less than $400 for something that the rest of us are paying $3,000+ for?

So, what do you do with the 'drawer' decoration?  Give it one more try.  Take it out, put a new battery in it and wear it for a few days.  Keep track of what's working for you and what's not.  Make an appointment with the audi that you purchased it from and take in your notes.  When they are tweaking it for you (they have to do this if it's still under warranty in most cases), talk to them about the hearing situations you are in and what you are not hearing.  If you need to, ask them to turn on a radio in the room you are in and test out the new settings.  Go outside and try to have a conversation there as well.  

If they still can't program it to your needs, ask what your alternatives are.  When I hear someone tell me that an audi has told them that there is nothing else that they can do, I know that we have yet another person that is going to give up and go back to a very frustrating life.  This is not what you paid for and not what the ultimate solution should be.  Yet, there are many of us that decide that it's our fault and take their word for it.  

To all of the audi's out there.  To tell someone that there is nothing else that you can do is a cop out.  You have the resources available of being able to contact the manufacturer and if needed, move that patient to a different hearing instrument.  I think you need to be more aware of the impact that you are having on a persons' life and get off your butt and figure the problem out.  Everything is not going to be by the book or specifications from the manufacturer.  Technology has improved to the point where you should be able to program a HA to each individual need.  If you don't know what you are doing, get someone in your office that does or better yet refer the patient to someone that can fix the problem.  In the end, this will help your business and probably even let you sleep better at night knowing that you have a satisfied client that will come back to you in the future for their hearing loss needs.

Our hearing loss is in your hands.  That's a huge responsibility and involves a lot of trust.  Most people with hearing loss will wait 5-7 years before coming in to see an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.  It took a lot of soul searching for these people to pick up the phone and take that first step.  Don't shut the door in their face just because you aren't sure how to help them.

If I get my hands on more research on this and other topics, I'll post it in a column.  If any of you have anything additional to add, you know how to reach me!

Have a great week!