| |
 |
If you have never worn or experienced hearing aids before, then the decision to purchase them may seem overwhelming
at first. Twenty years ago, it was much easier to understand hearing aids because
there were fewer options available.
Today's research has led to many different circuit
types, styles and options. We suggest you use the question and answer information as a tool
to guide you through the decision making process. Working with your audiologist,
our goal is for you to be an informed consumer and make decisions that are best
for you as an individual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
Q: What are the four important guidelines in choosing a hearing aid?
A: There are four (4) important guidelines to follow in choosing a hearing aid...
1 -- Everything we do in our practice is based on a 30-day evaluation period; so don't worry
about making a long term and expensive mistake.
2 -- The initial fitting of hearing aids is the BEGINNING of a process,
not the end. In other words, we just need to get started so we can begin the adjustment period.
Routinely we see our patients back for adjustments during the first
month after fitting. The adjustments we make are based on your experience with the devices
in the "real world" outside our office.
3 -- Insurance may or may not pay for hearing aids. Some will pay us directly;
some will only pay you. We will discuss insurance with you if you have any specific
questions.
4 -- Medicare does NOT pay for hearing aids.
|
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
Q: What are my hearing aid circuit options?
A:
The first and most important decision that you need to make in this process is to define your specific goal for hearing
rehabilitation. With that answer in mind, we'll work together to match the best value and sophisticated circuit options in a hearing aid
to meet your individual lifestyle. The circuit options you choose will determine how the hearing aid
performs for you in these popular areas of concern in the chart below. |
| |
| COMMON HEARING AID CONCERNS |
CIRCUIT OPTION SOLUTION |
| Crowd Noise |
Digital Noise Reduction |
| Environment Noise |
Directional Microphones |
| Squeal Sounds |
Digital Feedback Suppression |
| Hi/Lo Amplifying Management |
Automatic Volume Adjustment |
|
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
Q: What does the term "Digital" Hearing Aids mean?
A: This used to be a big decision for consumers. That is, should I get analog (also known as conventional)
or get digital. Now, that is not an issue because digital is all you can get. In fact, all consumer electronics are "digital" now.
Digital means that the sound is actually changed into numbers (digits) once it enters the hearing aid.
The sound can then be manipulated and processed digitally and the hearing aid receives its operating instructions
digitally. We use "smart" technology; the aid can actually be programmed to make decisions about what is amplified
and what is suppressed! When sound is digitized, it is broken down into its smallest parts and then manipulated
to make sound more audible and understandable. The resulting amplification is a truer representation of sound as
it is sent to your ear and brain for processing. This can be done without adding any more noise to the system and
without distorting the original sound.
After the sound is digitized, it is divided into multiple frequency (pitch) bands. These bands usually correspond
to the same frequency bands we test in the hearing evaluation. Each of these bands are precisely adjusted to meet
your hearing needs based on a prescription derived from the hearing test. Each frequency band is adjusted
automatically to control the perception of loudness while reducing the effects of many background sounds. The highest
frequency bands provide excellent audibility of both soft and loud speech signals. This enables you to understand soft
speech sounds and assures comfort for sudden loud sounds.
Most digital hearing aids have multiple programs and are extremely adjustable for fine-tuning or to accommodate
changes in your hearing. This technology is continuing to evolve or improve, and many of these changes are
computer software enhancements. |
| |
| (return to top) |
|
|
Q: Are there other types of hearing help to consider?
A:
There is also devices which will wirelessly connect your hearing aids to other audio sources such as T.V., telephone, iPod, MP3, etc.
There is more information on some of these devices at our STORE LINK. |
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
|
Q: Which hearing aid style is best?
A: Once a circuit has been selected, a style will be chosen.
The style simply means the package that will house the circuit. This determines (to some extent) how the aid will
look and how easy it will be to operate. You cannot determine the type of circuit by what the aid looks like. All
circuits can be put in most hearing aid packages. The decision of style of aid is based on your
priorities and what you are willing to sacrifice for perceived cosmetics. Many of the pre-conceived
beliefs are misconceptions or based on misinformation.
Generally speaking, the worse your hearing is, the stronger your hearing aid has to be. The recent introduction of mini power behind the ear aids has allowed many patients to wear smaller, more comfortable aids.
One of the important
goals of a successful hearing aid fitting is enough power without feedback. Feedback is
the squealing noise that you probably have heard from other aid wearers. Feedback is
largely a fitting problem. If the patient was fit with the appropriate style, rather
than the style they think they want, then most of the "squealing" problems would be
eliminated.
If you have a fairly severe hearing loss but you refuse to wear anything but the small canal
type of hearing aid, then you will not be able to have as much power before feedback and are
consciously making the decision to sacrifice optimal hearing for perceived cosmetics.
|
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
Q: Do I need one hearing aid or two?
A:
(Assuming both ears are hearing aid candidates)
It is well established and documented that two ears working together are far superior to one,
for various reasons. Localization of sound and improved communication in difficult listening
situations are primary benefits. Wearing one aid is like wearing a monocle instead of modern
glasses.
There is good evidence that if a hearing loss is left untreated, Auditory Deprivation may occur,
making it even harder for rehabilitation to be effective when you finally decide to add a device
to the unaided ear. This auditory neglect may also lead to depression, withdrawal and pre-Alzheimer's behavior. |
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
Q: Can my use of the hearing aids be tested?
A:
With many of our patients, a small microphone can be placed at your eardrum with your hearing
aid in place. When that microphone is activated, we can measure what you actually hear through
the aid: voice, sounds, music, noise, etc and display it visually on a computer screen in real time during your visit.
Adjustments to fine tune your quality of hearing can be made at that time and results double checked for improved hearing!
TThis technique is called LIVE SPEECH MAPPING and is another example of "cutting edge" hearing technology at The Hearing Center of Castro Valley. If you are interested in learning more about LIVE SPEECH MAPPING (LSM)
ask your Audiologist at your next office visit or click to our SERVICES LINK. |
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
Q: What is Hearing Aid Service? (Value Added Plan)
A:
We make every attempt to provide you with all of the services you need
to make your hearing aid experience a success. Both our professional and office staff is
trained to provide you with the service you expect. Charges for all services are included
in the cost of the hearing aid during warranty.
After the warranty period has expired, you will be charged reasonable fees for office
services and the manufacturer will charge for factory repairs. Service policies are
available to cover those costs on an annual basis through ESCO. |
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
Q: Do Hearing Aids have warranties?
A:
It is important to understand the WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE that comes with your hearing instrument.
Remember that our concept of a hearing aid fitting is a total care package. Hearing aids are very "service intensive".
They need ongoing service, maintenance, adjustment, and repair. Some of this is done in our office and some needs to be done
at the manufacturer. A part of our care package is insurance against loss or destruction. You have a very expensive
appliance and would be very upset if it were to be lost or destroyed. It does happen, even though you may be
thinking "...it will never happen to me!".
Our office policy is that anything we need to do in the office is done without charges as long as the manufacturer's
warranty is in effect. Therefore, if you have a 2-year manufacturer's warranty, we will service your aid in our
office for that 2-year period without charge. (This does not include necessary diagnostic hearing examinations.)
Generally speaking, most "low-end" products come with a 1-year repair service warranty and 1-year loss and
destruction insurance. "High-end" products usually come with 2 years on both. |
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
|
Q: Now that I am more informed, where do I go from here?
A: After you have read this information and are ready to proceed, call and make an
appointment with your audiologist. If you still have some questions, your audiologist will answer
them and work you through the decision making process at that time. The next steps, after all
your decisions are made, are to take silicone impressions of your ears, put down a deposit, and
order the devices. Your new hearing aids can generally be fit about 10-14 days after the
impressions are taken. Some new open fit hearing aids may be fit on the day of testing.
|
| |
| (return to top) |
|
| |
|
|
|
