17 Anna wears her hearing aids every day. Her early worries — hearing the grandchildren in the car, turning down the TV, and following her favourite gameshow Tipping Point — have largely disappeared. At bowls, she’s relaxed and engaged. In fact, she’s often the one others turn to when they miss something in conversation. Beth, however, is disheartened. Her hearing aids now live mostly in her top drawer. She still mishears the grandkids. Her adult children get frustrated when she asks them to repeat themselves. She has quietly started skipping yoga and some Friday coffees because she feels disconnected — even on the occasions she did try wearing her aids. So what made Anna so successful while Beth is still struggling? It’s not the hearing aid itself. It’s everything that happens around the hearing aid. The Details That Change Everything Great hearing outcomes don’t happen by accident. They come from careful, personalised fitting — making sure the hearing aids are programmed properly for each ear, that the little dome or mould sits comfortably and securely in the ear canal, and that the receiver (the tiny speaker) is the correct strength and length. But that’s only the beginning. Success also comes from the time invested after the fitting. Taking the time to check how speech sounds in real-life situations — both in quiet and in background noise. Sitting together with your Audiologist to show how and when to use the buttons on the aid or phone app so you feel confident using them. Then, taking time to talk you through Bluetooth calls until you’re completely comfortable. It’s the hands-on demonstration showing you exactly how to change wax filters. The friendly invitation to pop in anytime for help — at no charge. The yearly reviews to make sure your hearing hasn’t changed. The quick ear check for wax build-up. The professional clean and dry that keeps your devices working beautifully for years to come. Because Hearing Aids Are Not OneSize-Fits-All Hearing aids are sophisticated medical devices. They should never be treated like off-the-shelf electronics. When the process is done properly — with care, time and expertise — the difference is life-changing. More Annas. Fewer Beths. Hearing Loss? Hearing Aids are only half the picture Meet Anna and Beth — Same Hearing Aids, Very Different Stories Anna and Beth are both in their late 60s. When tested, their hearing loss looked very similar. They were even fitted with the exact same hearing aids. But their outcomes could not be more different.
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