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Existing Users

Are You A Hearing Aid User?

The importance of regular check-ups:

Total Hearing Care is committed to your hearing care. Free hearing tests, cleaning and adjustments to your hearing aid are essential. Remember - much like your eyes, it's in your best interest to have your hearing tested at least once every year. We’re happy to provide this free service even if you didn't obtain your hearing aids through us.

You can have a free hearing consultation at any of our offices. One of our experienced Hearing professionals will conduct the hearing test, advise if there’s been any significant change in your hearing, and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Free ongoing service program:

Our hearing evaluation and consultation services are provided free of charge. Should you wish to obtain your hearing aid from Total Hearing Care, we will also provide you with complementary aftercare for the life span of your hearing aid.

Care

Care and service of your hearing aids:

Our service does not stop when you purchase a hearing aid. We want you to get the most benefit out of your newly regained hearing. Members of our trained staff are always on hand to offer assistance and advice.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid maintenance:

To keep your aids clean, wipe gently with a soft tissue and brush carefully using the brush which was provided with your new aid. Remove wax build-up using a cleaning loop and spray wax remover. Never use water or any other kind of cleaning materials as those may damage the device. Use care when handling the tubing at the opening of the sound outlet. If it's pulled out, your hearing aid may require repairs.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid maintenance:

Some signs that the tubing and mold may need cleaning or wax build-up removal, may include your need to use higher volume levels, or the aid appearing 'dead'. Keep the molds free of wax, as wax may prevent the hearing aid from functioning properly.

Aftercare:

Our aftercare program includes:

• Customer Care Plan (Extended Guarantee and all risk coverage)
• Affordable Battery sales (some model aids come with free, lifetime batteries)
• Customer Satisfaction Surveys
• Service Records

We keep our patients updated and informed of any developments in hearing care and are always on hand to offer additional help and advice whenever required.

Repairs:

Whatever make or model hearing aid you have, Total Hearing Care offers a convenient repair service, should you encounter any technical difficulties with your model hearing aid. We are very much aware of your need to have your repaired aids back to you as quickly as possible, and as such will always ensure that yours will be returned to you without undue delay.

Hearing Aid Upgrades:

Hearing technology moves at such a pace that it's not always easy for anyone to keep abreast of the latest developments. While we appreciate the investment you may have made in your current hearing aid system, we will always stay in touch to keep you informed about the latest technology. We find that many of our patients want to always have the 'latest and greatest'.

Batteries:

Battery life depends on the quality of the battery, type of hearing aid, to what extent it is utilized and average volume levels. A depleted battery should be removed immediately. On most hearing aid models, once the battery power gets low, you may hear a series of short beeps which is your indication that the battery should be replaced.

Total Hearing Care supplies only top-quality batteries. Because we buy stock in bulk we are able to offer generous discounts in comparison with other providers. It’s a good idea to keep plenty of spare batteries on hand.

Batteries are available at our offices or you can use our online shop – click here

Benefits of wearing two hearing aids (Binaural fit):

When one ear hears slightly better than the other, we learn to favor that ear. It can cause the illusion that "the good ear" has normal hearing when in fact it does not. Most types of hearing loss affect both ears fairly equally.

The advantages of wearing two hearing aids are well-established - they include:

• Ability to locate sounds: Balanced hearing is a fundamental part of sensing where sounds emanate from.
• Sound recognition: The brain needs to compare and contrast loudness, pitch and the timing of sounds, utilizing both ears to process sound accurately.
• Wider hearing range: Sound can be heard from a further distance. A voice that's barely heard at 10 feet with one ear can be heard from up to 40 feet with two ears.
• Speech understanding: Utilizing both ears in tandem, allows your central nervous system to better identify and focus on human speech.
• Sound quality: Two hearing aids generally require less volume than one. This results in less distortion and better reproduction of sound.
• Keeps both ears active: When only one hearing aid is worn, the unaided ear tends to lose its ability to hear and understand over time.
• Less demanding: The combination of improvements has an overall effect of an easier and more enjoyable listening experience.

Adjusting to using hearing aids:

When your hearing improves, there is considerably more sound input for your brain to process. Most people go through a period of adjustment when they're fitted with their first set of hearing aids. Here are some tips to help you cope with the adjustment:

• Wear your hearing aids at home – even when you are alone. This will help you adjust to common background noises.
• Try to identify and locate environmental sounds – This helps your brain understand which sounds it should prioritize.
• Read out loud to yourself – Your own voice may sound louder and different than you remember.
• Start slowly – Speaking with one person in a quiet room allows you to become accustomed to amplified sound without distractions.
• Let your ears adjust – It can take some time to become used to having a foreign body in your ear. Try increasing wearing time gradually until you feel comfortable.
• Use your hearing aids in a variety of situations – Notice which are the most difficult and what helps or hinders your hearing. Discuss your experiences with your Hearing Care Professional.
• Ask for help – Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are in any doubt about the performance of your hearing aid or how you are adjusting to it.

Improving Communication:

To get the most out of your hearing aids and further improve communication, try the following techniques:

• Use your options: Your hearing aid may have a telephone switch, direct audio input adaptor, or other features. Be sure you know how and when to use them.
• Be involved: The more you participate and engage yourself, the easier it is to follow the conversation. Ask for clarification when necessary - the confusion may not be related to your hearing.
• Inquire: Cinemas, theatres, and auditoriums may have assistive listening devices available.
• Reduce other noises: When conversation is the priority, create an optimal setting. Turn down the music/TV; close windows and doors or find a quieter place to talk.
• Slower, not louder: It’s usually more helpful if people speak slower rather than louder, let them know.
• Keep eye contact: Visual cues such as facial expressions and lip movements do a lot to help us understand speech.
• Ask for help: If you feel that your hearing aid may not be operating optimally, let us know. Modern hearing aids can be programmed and adjusted to suit your listening needs.

Connectivity

For most people, connectivity is a part of modern life – in business, in social situations and with family. Wireless connection to a variety of modern communication and entertainment devices has transformed the way people conduct life’s everyday activities. For people with hearing loss however, easy access to the attractive world of modern "connectivity" has been out of reach.

With Total Hearing Care Connect, a new family of high performing hearing devices in the mid-price market opens an exciting world of wireless freedom to people with mild to severe-to-profound hearing loss. Our devices take the benefits of the popular connect family device to the next level with intuitive and easy-to-use wireless connectivity for a closer-to-natural listening experience.