Put it aside At high cost, the trouble with prescription hearing aids is prescription. See a doctor. reserve. Sitting in the waiting room. After an hour of testing, then hard-working sales on a pair of hearing aids. Why, all this is worse than deaf and dumb.
Telehealth offers a slight solution, but because everyone trying to show off moles to a doctor through a smartphone camera knows: video technology can only bring you that far. Audiology testing requires a lot of one-to-one interaction and a lot of technology to support this. Every audiogram I’ve ever sat in is in a delicate soundproofing room.
Hear.com, a company that sells prescription hearing aids online and through traditional retail channels, already has solutions. It makes all the techniques required to do a comprehensive hearing test in the box and a set of prescription hearing aids that you mail it to and then browse the whole thing with an auditorian via video call. I’ve taken the virtual listening test at hear.com twice – that’s what the TV auditory test looks like if you decide to take one.
All online
Photo: Chris Null
Photo: Chris Null
The process begins with a simple discussion. If you have never had a hearing aid before, this may be a good first step. Veterans may skip it, especially if they know what model of hearing aids they want (or how much they want to spend). The Hear.com salesperson will discuss your personal impression of hearing loss, any hearing aid devices you have tried, prior audio tests, and budget (and any insurance you have). From there, they will suggest the best hearing aids (from their product line) to suit your needs, although you can claim a specific product if you have identified a specific product.
Next, you will set the time to test and hearing aid accessories and a box will arrive at your doorstep in a few days. Turning it on, the collection of hardware and the collection of connecting all connected wires may seem daunting, but rest assured that even a range of technical knowledge, all of which can quickly blend together, and hearing that Com.com Professionals can guide you through any confusion over the phone.
Despite the large number of gears inside, the box is well organized. Most importantly, you’ll find a stripped-down Microsoft Surface tablet that can only do one thing: act as a channel for video-based audiology courses. After plugging the surface into the wall power supply, you will find a USB sorting box that can be connected to the USB port of the surface. Assuming all other devices are still plugged in correctly into the USB breakout box (which is far from a guarantee; it’s better to check that everything is fit), you’re actually a good choice. Surface has no other features other than launching a call with Audiology Professional, and at a scheduled time, click on the button on the screen for a conversation.
Photo: Chris Null
Photo: Chris Null
After greeting you, the audiologist will guide you through a series of tests. The first is a physical examination of your ear, thanks to the included USB-powered otoscope, which you might better know, is a lighting tool with a black conical tip that the doctor uses to look at the ear canal. There is no doctor who can guide the tool manually, so audiologists will tell you how to put it in each ear so they can have a good look at your eardrum. Yes, you can also see what the doctor sees on the surface screen. Spoiler: There is more wax inside the ear canal than you think.
Can you hear me now?
Assuming you don’t have any physical damage that can’t stop hearing aids from using, then this is the traditional listening test. This series of tests will consume most of the date time, most involving wearing a pair of oversized noise isolation headphones, such as professional musicians. My tests are very familiar, starting with tones where the frequency and volume levels of each ear are different, during which time you can click on the surface screen every time you hear something.
The test was then repeated using a bone conductor, which was attached to the forehead with a Velcro strap in exchange for a way to handle the sound. Finally, a third test can measure your ability to distinguish between consonants and vowel sounds –sh VS. chFor example, it is performed by repeating words that you think you are back to the audiologist multiple times.
