The Journey to Hearing Well Again - Part 1

Starting to notice that following conversations is getting tricky, or that you're blasting the TV louder than what others find comfortable? Realizing you might need a bit of help with your hearing is a big first step. Next up, it's time to think about seeing an audiologist – they're the go-to pros for everything ear-related, including hearing loss. When you show up for your appointment, the clinic feels calm and welcoming, a nice spot that makes you feel relaxed. The audiologist meets you with a warm hello and kicks off a chat about what's been going on with your hearing, how you live your day-to-day, and any particular moments when hearing's been a bit of a struggle. They really get into the details to make sure they've got a full picture of what you need. Testing Your Hearing: At the audiologist, they do a series of tests in a very quiet room. You'll wear headphones, and they'll play different beeps and bits of speech. It's like a game where you press a button when you hear something. It doesn't hurt at all and is actually quite interesting. These tests help figure out what kinds of sounds you're having trouble hearing. After the tests, the audiologist shows you a chart (called an audiogram) that shows how well you hear. It's pretty cool because you can see exactly where your hearing isn't as good. They'll tell you if both ears are affected or just one, and what type of hearing loss you have. Picking Out a Hearing Aid: Choosing a hearing aid isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. Your audiologist will suggest some options that fit how severe your hearing loss is, how you live your life, and any special things you need, like connecting to your phone or wanting something that's hard to see. You and the audiologist will decide together which hearing aid is best for you. They know a lot about them, but what you prefer matters a lot too. You'll think about things like how long the battery lasts, if you want to adjust the volume yourself or let it happen automatically, and if you need it to help with ringing in your ears (that's called tinnitus). Of course, cost is a rightful concern too. Hearing aids are not cheap in consideration of the advanced technology, customisation, professional services and ongoing support that go into making them optimal for a patient. Fortunately, there are several funding options available through government agencies in Malaysia to assist in the purchase of hearing aids. These include Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), Tabung Bantuan Perubatan (TBP), Program Peduli Kesihatan (PeKa) for the B40 group, Bantuan Zakat, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) and Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial Pekerja (PERKESO). Remember, in the end, it's all about finding the right fit for you, so you can hear better in a way that suits your life.