At Sonus Hearing Care Professionals-Chicago we take pride in offering our patients not only the most technologically-advanced hearing aids, but also in using the most sophisticated testing equipment available, including real ear testing equipment to conduct speech mapping as part of the fitting and programming process.

Speech mapping is designed to make sure your hearing aids are working correctly and that you are satisfied with how they perform. In the article Hear Well in a Noisy World featured in the July 2009 issue of Consumer Reports it was recommended that consumers seek out hearing professionals that use real ear testing.

Speech mapping test procedures are different from other fitting procedures most commonly used. Instead of using tones to program the hearing instrument, live speech is delivered to your ear drum through a small microphone that is placed in your ear. Because real speech provides a more complex broadband signal that has varying spectral and intensity content, it is a good stimulus for testing hearing instrument because it is the signal that most hearing aid wearers would want to hear in their daily environments.

Even if you already wear hearing instruments, you may be able to boost the current quality of your ability to hear and understand with a speech mapping test.

Source: http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/home-medical-supplies/hearing/hearing-aids/get-a-thorough-evaluation/hearing-aids-get-a-thorough-evaluation.htm

Francis Kuk, PhD, and Carl Ludvigsen, MS, Changing with the Times: Choice of Stimuli for Hearing Aid Verification; Hearing Review 2003

Sonus Hearing Care Professionals

The Hearing Professionals at Sonus understand that there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” hearing aid. That is why they work with a variety of premier manufacturers, including Phonak, Siemens, Resound and Unitron, to find the perfect Sonus Solution for each of their patients’ unique hearing needs.

Each Sonus Solution package includes not only a customized pair of hearing instruments, but a complete service and warranty package designed to ensure long-term customer satisfaction.

There are four levels of packages. Each level is created to fulfill the needs of the user based on their budget, their level of hearing loss, their activity level and their personal preferences. For example, the Premier package includes a customized pair of hearing devices as well as a:

• 3-year repair warranty
• 3-year loss and damage protection
• 3-year supply of batteries
• 3-year free in-office maintenance
• 3-year loaner hearing aid during repairs
• 3-year free reprogramming

And best of all, you won’t have to make such an important buying decision alone. Your Sonus Hearing Professional will work closely with you to understand your hearing needs and recommend the Sonus Solution hearing aid package that is best designed to meet all your hearing goals.

While most hearing aids sold in the United States come with a 30-day trial period, Sonus hearing aids include a 75-day trial designed to allow new hearing aid users adequate time to sufficiently adapt to wearing hearing aids.

While hearing aids do not restore hearing to perfection, Sonus audiologists and hearing aid specialists believe that during this time period you should expect improved ability to understand speech in the listening situations that are the most significant to you. They are dedicated to working with you during this time period (and beyond) to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your purchase of Sonus hearing aids.

Perhaps a better name for the 75-day trial would be 75-day adjustment period. This time frame is designed to give you ample time to become comfortable wearing your hearing aids and to learn how to use them. The trial period also gives your brain, which has become used to not hearing certain sounds, plenty of time to learn how to hear again.

During this trial period, it is imperative that you are dedicated to wearing your new hearing instruments consistently, every single day. Additionally, it is wise to keep a journal of how you are hearing.

Document the instances where you still struggle to understand so you can communicate your concerns adequately to your Sonus Hearing Professional. And remember, with Sonus hearing aids, your 75-day trial offers the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are guaranteed your money back should you be unhappy with your purchase.

8. S Michigan Ave Suite 2212 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 324-0539