Edmond, OK
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to the most common questions about hearing loss and hearing aids.
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The best way to tell is to get tested by a professional. Not only will this help determine whether you have hearing loss, it will let you know which frequencies you’re having difficulty hearing, what type of hearing loss you’re experiencing, and whether treatments like hearing aids would help. But if you’re not sure, contact us.
- Audiologists are professionals with a master’s or doctorate degree in Audiology and specialize in evaluating, diagnosing and treating hearing loss and other issues related to the ear. Audiologists undergo extensive educational and clinical training and are state-licensed and board-certified to test for hearing loss and fit hearing aids as well as cochlear implants.
- Hearing Instrument Specialists are trained in fitting and dispensing hearing aids.
The type and severity of hearing loss will determine treatment options. The best way to figure out whether hearing aids will help is to get a full hearing evaluation. Sometimes hearing loss is as simple as cleaning out impacted earwax. Talk to us about getting a hearing test.
Hearing aids are small devices that help you hear. They can come in tiny, discreet sizes that fit in your ear canal, or in slim casing that hides behind the ear. Most hearing aids have a microphone, amplifier and speaker and will relay sounds directly into your canal, but the latest technology can also come with artificial intelligence, Bluetooth and more.
Most hearing aids are able to amplify sound directly into the ear canal. Some hearing technology, like cochlear implants, send information directly to the brain and bypass the ear completely. The latest hearing aids can automatically adjust to different hearing environments or help you focus on your friend’s voice in a crowded room.
Hearing aids come in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes. Visit us to see the latest styles. Size and shape are not the only choices you’ll have to make: the latest hearing aids can also function as fitness trackers, headphones for your smart devices and more. Talk to a hearing specialist about how you’d most likely be using your hearing aids to maintain an active lifestyle.
In a word, no. Older models mostly amplified sound, while newer models use artificial intelligence to analyze sounds and amplify only the ones you’d likely want to hear. For example, new technology can discern between voices and background noises and only amplify the sounds you’d most likely want to focus on. These new models can be customized to amplify the frequencies you’re having difficulty hearing.
Back in the day, there were only analog hearing aids, which are essentially amplifying devices. Similar to digital hearing aids, they have a tiny microphone, a receiver, and a component designed to make sounds louder. But that’s where the comparison ends, because digital hearing aids also have a microchip, which makes them akin to tiny computers. Many of the amazing benefits listed above are only possible with digital hearing aids, including:
- Automatically focus on voices (instead of noise)
- Cancel out that screeching feedback sound older models sometimes made
- Connect to other devices
- Discern between situations where you’d want to focus on one sound (like talking to a waiter in a restaurant) versus situations where you’d want to hear a variety of sounds (like at a rock concert)
What this means is that digital hearing aids offer a sound quality much closer to your natural hearing. Is it any wonder why most people prefer digital hearing aids?
Choosing the right hearing aid depends on the results of your hearing test. Some models only work well for mild to moderate hearing loss, while others are best for severe hearing loss. Finding the right model will also depend on what environments you’ll need to use them. Do you plan to go swimming with them in? Do you want to be able to sleep in them? Are you extremely active and need a pair that you can comfortably exercise in? These are some of the things you’ll consider during your hearing consultation. Schedule an appointment with us to go over your options.
Unlike older models, modern hearing aids work in tandem to create the best hearing experience and to help you identify where sounds are coming from. This is important for safety reasons and to help your brain process sounds correctly. Remember, new hearing aid technology not only amplifies sound, it clarifies it.
You should start hearing sounds better immediately, but takes a few months to adjust to wearing hearing aids and to reap the full benefits. While we program hearing aids to your individual hearing test results, sometimes we need to adjust settings until you’re completely comfortable in all hearing environments. It can also take a few months for your brain to adjust to hearing all frequencies again.
We’ll demonstrate how to care for your hearing aids and go over maintenance in our consultation, but here are a few quick tips:
- Keep your hearing aids away from heat and water. If you live in a humid environment, consider getting a dehumidifier.
- Clean your hearing aids regularly to remove wax.
- Put perfume, hairspray and other personal products on before you insert your hearing aids.
- Turn them off and open the back when not in use.
- Keep them in a drawer or other place where pets and children can’t reach.
- Remove batteries for long-term storage.
When you first look at the costs of hearing aids, it might seem like a lot. After all, if you’re like most of the 20% of people with hearing loss in the United States you’ve ignored your hearing loss for years. Ignoring your symptoms, however, will end up costing you both money and your health in the long run.
There are numerous health issues that can arise from untreated hearing loss. These health issues, over time, add up in healthcare costs. In fact, a study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that untreated hearing loss on average leads to a 46% increase in healthcare costs. Comparing records of patients with hearing loss who got hearing aids versus those who didn’t over a 10 year period, they found those who opted not to treat their hearing loss had:
- 50% more hospital admissions
- 44% higher risk of readmission within 30 days
- 17% higher risk of having an ER visit.
What does that mean in real money? The average person who ignored their hearing loss for 10 years overspent on healthcare by $22,000. Even ignoring it for a short period can be costly: Another study reported in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery found that ignoring it for just two years cost the average person 26% more than they would have paid had they treated their hearing loss. Now consider that hearing loss can be gradual, and it takes time before you recognize that you have it. In fact, the average person with hearing loss waits 7 years before getting help.
If you have hearing loss, don’t wait. Research shows that hearing aids can slow cognitive decline up to 75% and helps reverse other side effects of hearing loss. Contact us to get a complete hearing test and evaluation.
Ignoring hearing loss hits your wallet in other ways as well. Over time it affects your work and can reduce your income potential. Better Hearing Institute found that people with untreated hearing loss earn an average of $12,000 less than those with normal hearing.
Insurance coverage varies but is a great place to start. Call your insurance provider to see if your hearing evaluation and hearing aids are covered. Also, check with Medicaid and Medicare. If you served in the military, you may be eligible for benefits through the VA. Ask about our special promotions and whether financing is available.
To really work well, hearing aids need to be fine-tuned to match the results of your hearing tests. In addition, over the first few months, they often need adjusting so they work optimally in all settings. Working through a hearing specialist who is trained to program and customize hearing aids can make a big difference in results. In addition, they can help you troubleshoot issues that come up. Whether bought online or in an office, hearing aids are an investment in your health. It pays to do it right.
Your First Step to Better Hearing
Still have questions about hearing loss or hearing aids? Our licensed audiologists are here to help with expert guidance, personalized testing, and solutions tailored to your needs. Schedule a consultation today to get clear answers and the care you deserve.
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