Hearing aid [Product] can be purchased from various centres including internet. The product you get is the same. To benefit the hearing aid has to be programmed and fitted depending on each individual need.

Efficient prescription / fitting protocol is of paramount importance to achieve the maximum benefit. The value of the product you buy hence is directly proportional to the quality of fitting. Unfortunately this importance is underestimated by the majority.

Sound is a complex energy so are the hearing loss parameters. Modern hearing aids are high technology, revolutionary products. We need to adapt this Technology to the patient's hearing loss.

To understand the above and match them with the patient need is hence a complex and difficult activity. Hence always spend some time and energy to select a good reliable fitting centre.

At Shravan a total hearing solutions is offered. We follow a 3 tier system of ENT specialist, Audiologist and Hearing Aid retailer. It helps us to better our coordination and accountability and help give quality service to our hearing impaired patients”

Every patient is first seen by the ENT specialist who does a total evaluation of the patients. The risky activity of ear cleaning is meticulously done by the specialist. Treatable conditions detected are recommended for cure. The candidature for hearing aid fitting is also finalised by the specialist. The patient is then referred to the Audiologist.

• Otoscopy: The first step is a re-inspection of the ear to make sure the ear is meticulously clean. Even a mild scaling or wax build-up in your ear will cause hindrance to achieving a good hearing aid fit.
• Hearing Evaluation: Audiologist will conduct a battery of test to determine the degree and type of hearing loss. An individualized assessment of your communication ability and need including lifestyle requirements are made.
• Counseling: Based on the above results counseling is done to help converge on the type of hearing aids based on each individual need.
• Prescription / Fitting: This final activity is also very critical. The programming of the hearing aid is done based on the audiological evaluation and the hearing need of the patient. Patient is an active participant in this activity as they will certify on the fitting success.

The retailer will provide the hearing aid and will help in the after sale service needs of the hearing aids. They will be responsible to coordinate with the hearing aid company to provide the warranty service and repair services.

Providing amplification for infants and children is a complex and challenging endeavor. To provide adequate fit in a child, is more difficult than in adults as they have some unique requirements to be looked into. Additional care, expertise and experience is hence needed for this specialised activity.

• Small Ear Canal
• Inability to record a consistent repose to pure tones [Pure tone Audiogram].
• Difficulty to do and elicit a reliable free field test results.
• Predominant reliance on objective hearing test which are only approximate representation of hearing loss.
• Lack of appropriate feedback to auditory stimulus. [Response to amplified sounds].

Evaluation by ENT specialist including Ear canal cleaning which is more difficult. The Audiologist uses a combination of objective test including Threshold BERA study as guide to achieve a good fit. Their endeavuor is to achieve optimal amplification. The fitting process resulting in less amplification will hinder adequate speech development. Excessive delivery may result in further hearing loss and intolerance.

Active participation of the parents is necessary during the fitting session. Parents will be instructed as to how they can utilise the ling sounds to screen the frequency response of the hearing aid. They have to play an active role in helping the audiologist in this process to provide optimal amplification. Kindly remember the hearing aid fitting for paediatric population is an ongoing process. Multiple visits post fitting is a rule to achieve optimal amplification.

To help the child in the listening training process it is advisable that every child post hearing aid fitting undertake AVT. Auditory verbal therapy/ Auditory training is mandatory for helping children develop speech and language skills trough listening

Yes they do improve your quality of life by

• Helping your verbal communication thus better Personal relationship and Job performance.
• Improving your self confidence and lowering your level
• Enhance Safety - help you hear call bell, cooker whistle, intruders, dog barking, oncoming vehicle, ambulance, smoke alarm etc