The Hearing, Balance and
After you receive an audiometric evaluation (hearing test) from our center, your audiologist or hearing aid specialist will discuss the results and if needed, consult with you about hearing aids. It is important that you understand a few concepts that relate to hearing aids before you make your purchase.
The Circuitry
The hearing aids that HBS offers to its patients have DIGITAL CIRCUITRY. This type of circuitry represents the state-of-the-art technology available today. Inside these instruments are tiny computer chips that are programmed by your audiologist or hearing aid specialist using computer software. These hearing aids are fully automatic with no controls. The hearing aid automatically adapts and adjusts its response fro different listening conditions. Digital hearing aids offer great flexibility, allowing your audiologist or hearing aid specialist to individualize the hearing aid to meet your specific needs. Digital hearing aids also offer the user a more accurate reproduction of sound, resulting in superior sound quality. With less distortion of sound, the user can achieve greater speech understanding.
Hearing Aid Styles:
Adjusting to Hearing Aids
Wearing a hearing aid, especially for the first time, requires a period of adjustment. Your Hearing, Balance and Speech Center audiologist or hearing aid specialist can provide any information that you may need and counsel you through this adjustment. While a hearing aid does not restore your hearing, it will amplify and process the sounds appropriately for your degree of hearing loss. You can look forward to improved understanding and quality of life.
Your Hearing, Balance and Speech Center audiologist or hearing aid specialist will provide faithfull follow-up after the delivery of a new hearing aid.
Minor adjustments and/or reprogramming are sometimes required. Occasionally, it is necessary to try a completely different type of instrument. We will work with you until we are both satisfied with the level and quality of your hearing.
Please remember - benefits derived from hearing aids vary among users. Hearing aids may not be appropriate for everyone with a hearing loss. Your audiologist or hearing aid specialist will discuss your options so that you will be able to make an informed choice.
Using Binaural Amplification
When hearing loss is present in both ears, two hearing aids are most often recommended. With both ears receiving amplified sound, there is a balance of sound and increases the ability to distinguish speech against background noise. Determining the direction of the sound is also easier when wearing two hearing aids.
Caring For Your Hearing Aid
A few simple steps will keep your hearing aids in good working order and help avoid future repairs:
- Hearing aids require little care except for daily cleaning. Keeping your hearing aids free of wax will avoid unnecessary problems. You may purchase disposable wax guards from our office to help maintain your devices.
- Always remember to put on and take off your hearing aids over a soft surface like a bed.
- Keep the hearing aids away from moisture and extreme heat.
- Do not sleep, shower, bathe or swim with your hearing aids in.
- When your hearing aids are not in use, remember to open the battery door to conserve battery power. With daily use, a hearing aid battery will last approximately two weeks and can be easily changed at home.
Warranty Information
All hearing aids come with a thirty (30) day trial period in which the hearing aid can be returned if, after working with your audiologist or hearing aid specialist during that time, you are still not satisfied with the hearing aid. If this should occur, the office visit and testing fees will be charged to the patient. We also have the right to retain a portion of the purchase price (not to exceed 12%).
All hearing aids come with a standard one year manufacturer's warranty. After the first year, we recommend taking out an insurance plan to cover damage, service, or loss (20% deductible on loss coverage). Information about the insurance plans are available through your audiologist.
