The Decision Process
Dr. Jonell helps you decide what would be best for YOU in order to satisfy your individual hearing needs based on several factors:
Your particular type and level of hearing loss of course
Your unique lifestyle and listening environments
Your ability to manipulate small things with your hands
Your memory and ability to learn new things
The size, shape and health of your ear (how they will fit)
Your individual preference for style (how they will look)
Your technical needs and abilities – computer? Smart phone? TV?
Your budget
Manufacturers
Audiology NW utilizes a large variety of manufacturers to help you find the right hearing aids.
Is there any one manufacturer which is the best? Absolutely not.
But as is typical in marketing, particular advertisements might lead you to believe otherwise. The reality is most of the manufacturers out there are excellent and have similar product categories, while the specific look, features and sound quality may vary.
Each company has their own theory about what sound and features you ‘should’ like. Let’s find the one company that’s just perfect for you.
The Fitting Process
As important as the specific hearing aids you choose, possibly even MORE important, is the process for fitting, programming, fine-tuning, verification, training and counseling that goes along with them. Unfortunately, not every hearing aid clinic makes these key elements a priority.
The Audiology NW difference:
Hearing aids can be set up and fine-tuned in your home. What a difference that can make! Dr. Jonell can learn a lot about what you need by seeing you in your hearing place.
Weekly (or as needed) followup appointments through the trial period and extended trial periods until you are comfortable with your purchase.
Today's hearing aids offer a wide variety of fine-tuning options which are often ignored or avoided by providers who do not understand them. Dr. Jonell gets very specific about how your hearing aids behave and the sound quality they offer. It's more complicated than a simple first fit adjustment and you need someone who will take the time and knows what to do.
Counseling and training for the hearing aid user and anyone else who might be involved - family, caregivers, etc. The fitting process is not over until you know how to use and care for your devices appropriately.
Verification of benefit - there are many ways to be sure your hearing aids are doing what they should to help you hear speech to the greatest extent possible. We have to know that what you chose are right for you.
What if you're not happy? We can try something else (or return them)... It's that simple.
Simply put: Dr. Jonell does whatever it takes to make sure you are successful with your new hearing aids.
Not yet sold on Dr. Jonell?
That’s ok! You’ve already heard about the ins-and-outs of her process to get you on the path to reclaiming your good hearing sense. So, here are a few extra golden nuggets regarding some consumer pitfalls to watch out for as you continue your quest for the right audiologist and hearing aid device for YOU.
Advertised sales on a specific hearing product or getting what a clinic has "in stock"? Just say no… unless that happens to be what's right for YOU.
Trade-ins? Please don’t do it… you should always keep your old hearing devices for back-up.
Limited professional attention during the trial period? Watch out and make sure you’re followup in one month doesn’t turn into an, “I’m sorry, the trial period is over. You're stuck!”
‘Fine-tuning’ means turning the hearing device’s volume up and down? Oh heck no! This just leaves me speechless… please, if you run into this, get out while you still can.
Signing the purchase agreement before reading it? This is a big decision and an expensive investment, take the time to make sure you understand your rights - or what you’re paying for. And, yes, they certainly should be able to walk you through these details if you ask!
Payment in advance? Some providers make you feel you are stuck with your hearing device from the very first appointment! Remember that the purchase agreement and trial period don't take effect until you walk out the door with your new hearing aids.