Appointments   I am 66 years of age and experienced gradually declining hearing over the past 10 years. My wife of 44 years has been suggesting investigating aids for sometime. Your ad offering free screening was an incentive to take action. The entire experience - diagnosis, fitting, and follow-up - have been a 9 out of 10. Hearing is greatly improved. The modern devices are small, quite simple to adapt to, and I hardly know that they are being worn. Simplicity. Your follow-up care has been exceptional, regular visits, a lot of helpful hints on insertion, cleaning and maximizing utility. Now the next 5 weeks these new aids will be put to the test on a birdwatching expedition to South America - and based on my experience of the past several months, am certain I will be much keener in the field. —Duncan Himes of Mesa, Arizona Appointments at Desert Sounds If you've been thinking of having your hearing checked, don't wait any longer. Making an appointment to see an audiologist at Desert Sounds is as easy as picking up the phone and calling our friendly staff at 480-497-3285. From your first visit through your follow-up visits, we'll make sure you feel at home and well taken care of.   What You'll Need to Bring To Your Appointment: Insurance Cards Identification, especially if you are referred by DES (Department of Economic Security) List of Medications that you take Hearing Aids if you have any Glasses, so you can see and read Forms If time allows, our staff will send you the patient forms that you need in advance, as well as a printed map to our office.   What You Can Expect at Your Desert Sounds Visits   First Session (1 hour) Case history - what is the problem, how long have you had it Audiometric evaluation (hearing test) - this is not a "free hearing test", it is only a diagnostic test when performed or supervised by an audiologist Tympanometry Acoustic Reflexes Otoacoustic Emissions Tinnitus Matching Loudness Tolerance - this is done for patients who are hearing aid candidates Speech in noise testing Review Test Results Discuss Treatment Options - this could be further medical evaluation, further audiological testing (in the case of dizziness, balance problems or vertigo or for patients we suspect of Central Auditory Processing Problems), and hearing aids and assistive listening devices (hearing assistance devices) Second Session (1 to 1.5 hours) Review the audiogram or hearing test with patient and family members Assess patients listening and communication needs and lifestyle Assess visual and dexterity issues Features and benefits of available technology Review Cost, Warranties and other services included in the fitting fees ADD: Listening Demonstration Take ear impression (except for open fit hearing aids) Third Session - Hearing Aid Fitting (1 to 1.5 hours) Programming hearing aids Review cleaning and maintenance Review and practice insertion of hearing aid Review battery removal and insertion Review how to use multiple programs and in what situations Review how to couple hearing aid to home phone & cell phone and use of telecoils Review disposal of batteries (we recycle) and National Battery Ingestion Hotline if a battery is eaten Review accessories Review manual and trouble-shooting guide Review bill of sale Make modifications to ear molds or shells if pressure points begin Fourth Session (30 min) Review everything you forgot in the third session and answer questions Discuss good and bad situations with hearing aid use, likes and dislikes Adjust programming, if necessary Adjust physical fit, if necessary Discuss communication strategies Discuss hearing in noise Fifth Session (30 min) Adjust programming Adjust physical fit Review everything good and bad, likes and dislikes Review anything you forgot Sixth Session (30 min) Adjust programming Adjust physical fit Review everything good and bad, likes and dislikes Review anything your forgot Real Ear Measurements (if time permits). Very few offices provide this service; it allows us to measure how much of the sound you are getting above your hearing loss. Seventh Session (30 min) Speech understanding tests in quiet and noise Assess need for aural rehabilitation - home based therapy Discuss and evaluate need for assistive devices (television, phone use, etc) Eighth Session (30 min) Final check-up Batteries supplied Patient satisfaction survey Schedule for 3 month check up Your actual sessions may differ, and more sessions be added, depending on your tolerance and needs.   Follow-up Visits Patients are called in for check-ups every 3 months for the life of the hearing aids. Check and clean hearing aids Check ears for excessive wax Review cleaning and use Adjust programming if needed Review need for further services, such as assistive listening devices Screen hearing annually, any changes in hearing warrant full hearing evaluation. Patients with a pathology will be referred for further medical treatment Hearing aids may be re-programmed to accommodate changes in hearing Loaner Hearing Aids We know your hearing is important. Patients having to send their hearing aids in for repair may request a loaner hearing aid. While these hearing aids may not match the aids you currently wear, they will provide a measure or hearing assistance while you await your repaired hearing aids.   Hearing Aid Return For Credit Fees If for some reason a hearing aid does not provide the needed benefit, we'll select a different hearing aid and the process begins again. Patients who decide to return hearing aids for credit and choose not to pursue amplification options will get a refund less fees to cover the costs of our professional services.   ...life never sounded so good!™