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Your first hearing aid

If you feel that you have a hearing impairment and would like to be assessed for a hearing aid please ask your doctor to make a referral.

The doctor will either refer you directly to the Audiology department if you match certain referral criteria or they may refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat consultant for a medical opinion prior to Audiology.  

 

Your first appointment

  • Please feel free to bring along a friend or relative to any of our appointments
  • Please allow one hour for this appointment if you come direct to the Audiology department.
  • A brief history of your ears and hearing will be taken by an audiologist.
  • A hearing test will then be undertaken and the results of this test will be explained to you.
  • If appropriate a hearing aid will then be offered. If necessary an impression of your ear may be taken for a mould to be made.
  • This is sent to a factory in Cardiff. Once the mould is back in the department, an appointment will be sent to you. 
  • If you have to see an ENT consultant first, they will take a history and discuss any medical aspects with you
  • You will have a hearing test as part of the consultation
  • The ENT consultant will then refer you to the Audiology team
  • The audiologist will discuss your hearing loss and, if necessary, take an impression of your ear
  • This is sent to a factory in Cardiff. Once the mould is back in the department, an appointment will be sent to you.    

 

The fitting appointment

  • This appointment is normally 6 – 8 weeks after seeing the audiologist for the first time.
  • Again please allow one hour for this appointment.
  • The audiologist will set up the hearing aid according to the hearing loss you presented with.
  • Sound measurements will be taken to verify we are fitting correctly to your ear.
  • The hearing aid may have different controls, depending on your lifestyle and will be tailored to suit you.
  • The controls of the aid will be explained along with how to put the hearing aid in, change batteries etc.
  • We will also explain about hygiene and general maintenance.
  • There is plenty of literature to take home with you as well.

 

Wearing a mask while wearing a hearing aid

You may find this information useful if you wear a hearing aid. Please click on the image for an enlarged version.

Wearing Mask With Hearing Aid