Hearing loss is the second most common health condition in Australia, affecting 1 in 6 people^[1], and yet the average time frame between when a hearing loss is suspected and when someone seeks help for a hearing loss is 7 years^[2]. Why does it take someone such a long time before they are driven to action?

It is possible that they perceive a certain stigma around wearing hearing aids as it signals a deterioration and is often age-related. Or it could be that someone is not motivated to put the effort into wearing a hearing aid or the time that is required as the brain adjusts to the new sound. It could be the financial outlay that may be involved. Or it could simply be that hearing loss quite often creeps up over the years and our brains are very good at filling in the gaps and “getting by” so that a hearing loss may not be noticed until it is significantly affecting daily communication.

If this sounds like you and you are hesitating, thinking “do I really need a hearing aid?” “Am I going to manage a hearing aid?” “Will a hearing aid really make that much difference? “will it be worth spending money on more advanced technology?”. The answer could be to do a hearing aid trial.

It is important to realise that everyone is different. Different lifestyles have different requirements and different expectations will contribute to different outcomes. Trialling a hearing aid will let you try before you buy and feel confident in your investment.

The Hearing Test

The process of having your hearing tested and getting a hearing aid can seem rather overwhelming, however it is likely that uncertainty and lack of information is at least partially to blame. The first step is to see an Audiologist and a lot of that uncertainty will disappear leaving the process a lot less daunting.

You may have been doing some research prior to the appointment, searching online or asking friends about their experiences. It is a good idea to keep note of the specific situations you are having trouble in. For example, ask family members or colleagues if they have noticed you having difficulty, as this information will play a significant role in working out which hearing aid features and technology you would benefit from.

The test appointment is a good opportunity to ask the Audiologist any questions you may have, and to seek clarification. There is a lot of information given at the initial appointment and there are decisions to be made, so having a family member or friend attend the appointment is valuable. It is also worth considering your budget and checking with a private health fund to see if you will receive any rebate on hearing aids.

At the test appointment your Audiologist will assess the degree and nature of your hearing loss and explain the results. They will also ask questions to determine what your individual listening needs and goals are and explain what you can expect from hearing aids. The listening needs of a socially active person who is in the workforce may be different from someone who lives alone and rarely finds themselves in noisy environments. It is important to have realistic expectations about potential hearing aid benefits and to understand how differences in technology can affect how hearing aids perform in different noise environments. Together you can find a hearing aid that suits your individual communication needs and your budget and a style that you will be happy to wear.

Fitting a Trial hearing aid

Using the information regarding the hearing loss itself and your individual lifestyle and budget, the Audiologist will help you to select a hearing aid to trial. The aid will be programmed using software and measurements may be taken to validate the setting.

Adjustments are made according to the feedback you give the Audiologist. For example, people often find they prefer less volume initially, especially if they are new to hearing aids.

The Audiologist will demonstrate how to insert and manage the hearing aid and make sure you are able to put the aid in comfortably and securely, change batteries and clean the aid. They will also explain any controls on the hearing aid and any additional features or accessories that are relevant.

You will then take the hearing aid home for a period of time to try it out in your regular listening environments before returning for a follow up appointment.

The follow up

Hopefully you will have had the opportunity to wear the hearing aids in a variety of listening situations and acoustic environments and you will probably be somewhat used to the new sound already. Bringing a family member or friend along to the follow up appointment is again recommended. It is helpful for the Audiologist and is interesting for you to hear feedback from a different perspective. The follow up appointment is a chance to address any concerns or questions you may have.

Points to remember

There are significant benefits to getting a hearing aid sooner rather than later. While the relationship between hearing loss and cognition needs more research before it is fully understood, there is also an association between hearing loss and mental wellbeing so being fitted with a hearing aid as soon as an aidable hearing loss is detected is advisable.

• Don’t delay having your hearing tested


• Bring a communication partner to your appointments if possible


• “You won’t know until you try” A trial takes guesswork out of your decision-making process


• A successful trial means that you can proceed with purchasing hearing aids with confidence with no surprises and knowing that they meet your needs.

If you’re looking to get your hearing tested, trust Australia’s only hearing healthcare provider, Attune Hearing. With clinics nationwide, visit one of our friendly Audiologists for a professional hearing test or to ask more information about trialing a hearing aid. Contact Attune Hearing today.

[1] https://hearnet.org.au/hearing-loss/fects-on-hearing-loss Accessed 11 May 2020

[2] www.hcia.com.au-resources/HCIA.pdf Accessed 11 May 2020