Hearing aids are programmed to your own hearing and then fine tuned over time, so the fitting and the follow-up are where the real difference is made. CQ Audiology holds a visiting clinic in Blackwater, so residents can be fitted and keep their aids running without heading to Rockhampton for every appointment.
A visiting clinic in town
Our Blackwater clinic is at the North Blackwater General Practice, 14 Blain Street. Visiting-clinic days vary by location. Please call (07) 4848 6528 to confirm the next available clinic in Blackwater before travelling.
Picking a style that fits your hands and your day
Which style suits comes down to your ears and your routine rather than the newest model. If fiddly things are hard work, a larger body or a rechargeable aid saves daily frustration, while a discreet in-canal style suits others. A quick look at the choices:
- Behind the ear and receiver in canal styles, which are easy to handle and cover a wide range of hearing levels.
- Custom in-the-ear styles moulded to your own ear.
- Rechargeable aids that sit in a charger overnight, or replaceable batteries.
- Bluetooth streaming from a phone or television for those who find calls hardest.
Our choosing the right hearing aid style guide walks through this in more detail.
The fitting appointment
Allow about an hour and bring someone whose voice you know well. We program the aids to your hearing levels, check the physical fit so nothing whistles, fine tune to real speech, and run through cleaning, charging and pairing before you leave, with the key steps written down.
Living with new hearing aids
For the first few weeks, everyday sounds can feel loud and busy while your ears and brain adjust. That settles for most people. Building your wearing time up gradually and keeping a short note of tricky moments gives us a clear starting point at your review.
Looking after aids in a dusty climate
Coal country can be dusty, so a daily wipe with a dry cloth and dry overnight storage go a long way. Keep aids out of the bathroom and away from heat and hairspray, and store them with the battery door open or in the charger. Between clinic days we replace domes, tubes and wax filters, service the aids, and arrange repairs under warranty.
Cost and funding
We explain the options up front. Eligible pensioner concession card and DVA card holders may access services under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program; eligibility criteria apply. The Hearing Services Program page covers that pathway. Otherwise hearing aids are bought privately, and many private health funds pay a benefit, so it is worth asking your fund what your level of cover includes.
Where we are
BLACKWATER North Blackwater General Practice, 14 Blain Street QLD 4717
ROCKHAMPTON CITY T33 & 34A, City Centre Plaza, 24 Fitzroy Street QLD 4700
To talk through hearing aids in Blackwater, call (07) 4848 6528, email reception@cqaudiology.com.au, or use the booking form. See also our Blackwater hearing clinic page.
DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is intended for general educational purposes only and does not replace individual professional advice. Please speak with a qualified audiologist or your GP about your own hearing, diagnosis or care options.