Audiological Services

Hearing Aids

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Getting by isn't enough. Quality of life and relationships are important to overall health and joy.

• How much effort do you expend in trying to "hear" and communicate?  This has a significant effect upon your cognitive health and well being.

• How frustrated are you or your family members with communication?  Hearing loss can put significant stress on relationships.

• How have you withdrawn socially? Pulling out of social situations because they are frustrating or scary often leads to depression.

• Where do you experience the most difficulty hearing and communicating?  What are your hearing goals?  In what situations specifically would you like to have better hearing and communication?

• How can you make a plan to manage the device and follow up appointments and aural rehab? (what support people are around)  Hearing rehabilitaiton is not a quick fix, but a journey.

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Hearing Aid Evaluations

If you have significant hearing loss, the Audiologist will help you choose the right hearing aid for your situation.  During your hearing aid evaluation, the audiologist will:

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• Evaluate your hearing needs

• Ask you questions about your life style and communication goals

• Discuss the advantages and limitations of hearing devices

• Recommend a hearing aid that will suit your needs and budget

• Make sure they fit properly and make any necessary adjustments

• Explain how hearing aids work and show you how to use and clean them properly

• It’s recommended that you have a follow up visit within the trial period (within 30 days of hearing aid fit) to let the audiologist know how your hearing aid is functioning and to make any adjustments. Hearing aids also come with a warranty so if there are any problems, it can be easily repaired at the hearing clinic or by the hearing aid manufacturer.

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Listening Demonstration

During the appointment you can test out hearing aids to see how they fit and sound. You can hear people speak to you, and listen to music and sounds in the office. The audiologist can also make adjustments to the hearing aid to improve hearing clarity.  The listening demonstration helps you choose the appropriate hearing aid for your situation.

 

Hearing Aid Fitting and Programming

This appointment should take approximately an hour to ensure the hearing aid selected fits and works properly. Your hearing aid will be programmed based on your hearing test results and adjusted to suit your individual needs. You will learn about your hearing aid’s various features and how you can adjust its settings for optimal use in different environments. Your audiologist will also go over how to clean and maintain your hearing aid.  Remember to ask any questions if there’s anything you don’t understand during your appointment.

 

Real Ear Verification Measures

Verification measures help ‘verify’ the hearing aid is optimized to give you the best possible hearing performance. Because every patient is different, your hearing aid is adjusted and tuned to match your personal needs. A soft tube (microphone) is placed in your ear canal while the hearing aid is used to take measurements.  With speech being played, the hearing aid is adjusted until the speech sound is clear to you, and the microphone records your results.  

 

Hearing Aid Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining your hearing aid daily ensures it will function properly.  The audiologist will instruct you how to take care of your hearing aid.  Some tools to help maintain your hearing aid include a listening tube, battery tester, force air blower, and drying container.  Ask your audiologist on how to obtain them.

 

Steps you can take to care for your hearing aid include:

• Checking the batteries – if your hearing aid sounds weak or distorted, it may be time to change the battery.

• Wiping to clean aid – use a dry, soft cloth to remove any dirt and dust.

• Keeping moisture to a minimum - storing your hearing aid in a drying container prevents moisture buildup and ensures the hearing aid functions properly.

• Change the wax traps- Many hearing aids have a wax trap on the end to keep wax from clogging up the microphone.  When the wax trap is clogged with wax you may notice decreased volume or sound quality, or increased feedback (whistling).

 

Hi-Definition Wireless Bluetooth Devices

Wireless blue tooth technology allows you to use your hearing aid with your phone, TV, MP3 player and other digital devices. Most Bluetooth hearing aids send and receive wireless signals to and from other Bluetooth enabled devices, giving you better sound clarity. This is because the sound information is transmitted wirelessly, rather than through airwaves, which can cause static and feedback noise.  Bluetooth is useful because it makes it easier for you to do everyday things, such as talking on the phone “hand-free” and watching TV without disturbing others.  Talk to your hearing care professional about Bluetooth hearing aid options.

 

Patient Financing

Patient financing is available through Care Credit