You may be wondering how this example would apply to hearing? One of the most meaningful lessons my father instilled in me was that obtaining accurate and meaningful measurements is crucial to achieving successful outcomes.
During my 37 years of working as an audiologist helping individuals manage their hearing loss, I have witnessed technological advances that have made a difference in the lives of so many people. These advances allow patients to be involved in their life experiences which studies show can have far reaching health benefits. What has not changed is the value of the measurements.
An audiologist can obtain a thorough understanding of an individual’s hearing levels, comfort levels and uncomfortable levels. The interpretation of these measures can impact any hearing aid fitting and serve to then lessen the negative effects of living in social isolation.
These measures can be programmed into hearing devices to allow your brain to derive benefit from auditory stimulation which studies show is so critical to avoiding auditory deprivation. Long-term auditory deprivation can lead to the inability to recognize sound as we know it such as the geophysical sound of leaves blowing in the wind during a walk or the biological sound of birds chirping in the morning outside your window.
These values are so often bypassed when hearing aids are purchased online or from third party vendors. Educating yourself on the benefits of hearing evaluations and assessments is essential. Think about your options carefully and consider seeing a licensed audiologist to get help for your hearing needs.