FAQs

What is audiology?

Audiology is the science concerned with the aspects of sound and its perception.

What are audiologists?

Audiologist are university trained in the science of hearing disorders. Audiologist hold a Master Degree or Doctorate in Audiology.

Do I need to do something about my hearing loss right away?

Market research has shown that the average person waits 5 to 7 years to purchase some kind of hearing device after being informed about a hearing impairment. Current research also suggests the longer hearing impaired persons wait to wear hearing instruments the more difficulty they will have adjusting. For many hearing impaired persons, learning to distinguish among the many sounds not heard for a long time is a gradual process. Many expect to immediately hear as well as they remember hearing in the past. This may not be a realistic expectation. After all, most of us wouldn't expect to throw a fast ball immediately after an arm injury begins to mend. We would exercise and work up to it gradually. Efforts to restore hearing ability are no different. Remember that only your specific type of hearing loss, your everyday listening environment, and a sufficient amount of time will affect how well your hearing instruments will enhance your ability to hear.

What's in a hearing instrument anyway?

A hearing instrument is simply a miniature sound system that receives, amplifies and transmits sound to your ear. 1. Sound is received by the microphone and converted into electrical energy. 2. The amplifier adds to the electrical energy, modifying the signal so that it meets the needs of your hearing loss. 3. The receiver converts the modified electrical energy back into sound energy, and delivers it to your ear.

What do hearing aids cost?

Prices vary according to technology. Depending on the type of hearing loss and each individual's specific needs, the most suitable hearing aid will vary from person to person. It is the audiologist's job to recommend the most appropriate device for each individual, while providing the options necessary in meeting an individual's financial requirements.

Will my insurance pay for a hearing aid?

Most insurance will not cover the cost of hearing aids. Medicare will cover a hearing test (as long as the patient is referred by their primary care doctor) but will not cover the cost for hearing aids. However there are some insurance companies that will pay a portion of the cost for hearing aids. To find out if your insurance provides any hearing aid benefits you can call your insurance company and ask them if you have a benefit. The phone number for the insurance company is usually found on the back of your insurance card. If you would prefer our office can call your insurance company and clarify your insurance coverage.

Why does my hearing health professional recommend that I wear two hearing instruments?

The most natural and efficient way to improve your ability to hear in a variety of background situations is by wearing two hearing instruments. Studies show our understanding of speech increases significantly when both ears can be stimulated. Two hearing instruments also enhance your ability to pinpoint the source of any sound in your environment.

Aren't most ears, hearing loss, and hearing aids really the same?

Just as no two people are exactly alike, ears differ in size shape and texture. Hearing losses differ in degree and type. More importantly, even if two people share similar types of hearing loss, they will not share the same type of hearing experiences, with or without hearing instruments. For example; one person's distracting background noise may include sounds that make another person feel they are a part of the action. Even sounds we may enjoy hearing one moment may be distracting to us at another time. For example, your grandchild's voice may be music to your ears in the afternoon, then distracting while you are trying to watch the evening news. Hearing aids also differ by size, shape, design, and purpose. They are more or less customized prescriptive instruments. You would never consider wearing another person's prescription eyeglasses. The same principle applies to hearing instruments.

When do we know we have a hearing problem?

Since most hearing loss comes on gradually, we do not always notice the changes in our hearing ability as quickly as others around us. By the time most of us realize we are missing more than a little of the conversation going on around us, we have actually been living with a hearing loss for a few years or more. Living with a hearing loss means learning to compensate. Watching faces, looking to conversational topics for clues, asking for repetition, or removing ourselves from situations in which we can't hear well are all forms of compensation. We may even tell others that people no longer speak clearly. When these tactics no longer work for us, our hearing has become a problem and we seek the help of a hearing healthcare professional. Others will wait until friends or loved ones urge us "to do something" about our hearing problem.

 

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