Final answer:
The first thing the dispenser should note upon a patient's arrival for a follow-up session is if the patient is wearing the hearing aid. This ensures patient compliance and is the first step in assessing the hearing aid's effectiveness in a follow-up appointment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Upon a patient's arrival for a follow-up session, one of the first things the dispenser should note is whether the patient is wearing the hearing aid. This initial observation is critical for ensuring patient compliance with the treatment and for preparing to assess the effectiveness of the hearing aid during the session. In a follow-up appointment, similar to a surgical team verifying details before a procedure, the healthcare provider must confirm basic yet essential information to ensure a successful session.
While verifying if the hearing device is inserted correctly, checking the volume control setting, and listening to the patient's comments regarding the hearing aid are also important, the first step is to ascertain that the patient has the device and is using it. This practice falls in line with ensuring the correct use of medical equipment, as a clinician would with a stethoscope to listen for Korotkoff sounds during a blood pressure reading. Overall, confirming that the hearing aid is being worn by the patient serves as a foundation to proceeding with the follow-up assessment.