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What should I check before leaving audiologist's appointment?

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Thinking ahead here! I’m getting fitted for Oticon Intent 1s in a few weeks. I’m new to the world of hearing aids. My audiologist is leaving for a 2 week vacation over the holidays following my appointment. I want to make sure I’m reasonably happy with how things sound before I leave.

Are there any simple tests I can do in office other than speaking like bringing my laptop and typing to make sure the keyboard sounds good? (Someone here once complained they couldn’t stand the sound their keyboard made after .)

Or, are there situations I should test that would create feedback that should be addressed before I leave?

I only have a 45 day trial so I don’t want to waste 2 weeks of it with hearing aids I can’t use or get used to with audiologist gone.

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Ask for the test and setup. Make sure they pair to your phone and the companion app. Check to best you can how well you hear and what your on voice sounds like. If you have a wife, children that are soft spoken perhaps take them with you and see how well you hear them. If you like audiobooks like I do or music try streaming it from your phone to your aids. You are going to more than likely think sounds are very loud and even unnatural, but that will change as your brain adapts I am sure that will be others with different thoughts.

Thank you! All great points. I’m not sure if audiologist has . I can ask when I go. I’m using a Zip Hearing recommended provider so maybe?

What kitchen items do you not like the sound of? Like a plate hit with a knife or something like that, the high-pitched sounds are easy to re-create. Restart the aid always to ensure that the audiologist has saved their settings on the aid itself. Try to recreate loud noise also so that you are happy with the compression and the speech in noise settings.

Good ones! I previously trialed a pair of widex allures and they made everything sharp and uncomfortable. I was running back and forth to the audiologist frequently to try and fix them but they just didn’t work out. If I took a plate out and put it on my granite countertop it was so uncomfortable. The microwave door closing was way too loud. I also hated the silverware clanking in restaurants. The toilet flushing - painful. Thanks for the tip on turning them off and turning them back on again so the settings were saved. I had no idea that was a potential issue. I’m definitely going to flush the toilet before I leave LOL.

Here’s my checklist for ALL audi appointments:

**CHECKLIST BEFORE LEAVING**

  • cycle through all programs and turn aids on/off to make sure everything has been set up to specifications

  • pair + connect to phone; test call to ensure works - I always call CareMark, my Medicare Part D provider, cuz NO ONE ever answers the phone, and it’s a great way for the robo-attendant to prove my phone is streaming.

  • run Feedback Management w/o HVAC on! If your audi is in a loud room (like my gal) be sure Feedback Management is run with the HVAC cycle is off cuz if it isn’t done properly, you will likely get squeeling feedback in one or both aids.

  • have audi DISCONNECT from Target! If your aids are NOT disconnected/rebooted at the end of your session, you will not be able to make or answer ANY call! Yup. Been there, done that. Had to pull a U-turn on a busy thoroughfare and speed back to audi to have aids DISCONNECTED from Target, cuz they shrieked feedback like a Lamborghini going 200 mph as I held them in my hands.

  • At HOME: make sure aids are paired + connected to Roger mics (if you have that accessory) and cellphone BT, then make a call, again to ensure aids pair + connect to cell phone, TV, laptop and any mic accessory.

In reply to @codergeek2015

Yeah, that was one for the books! Thing is, my audi and I get to chatting about SO many things that we both get distracted. Plus, I’ve had this boondoggle of redundant everything with my need for backups: 2 Roger mics, 2 pairs of Phonak rechargeables, 2 pairs of 312 aids, one old TV Connector.

I’m ready to open my own “Used Stuff” shop.

Check impulsive sounds - bang hard on a door, or better still something metallic, cough with your hand cupped to your ear. If the aid is properly adjusted (and designed with insight - not all are) then the volume compression/limiting should always reduce any sudden loud sounds of life immediately - within a very few milliseconds - not just to avoid discomfort but to minimise potential harm to your hearing.

In reply to @Cerumen

Another thing is to make sure the audiologist has saved the settings before you leave. Twice mine came running after me out to my car because he hadn’t saved them. I no longer go to him.

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