FAQ

Not necessarily. Since most people with hearing impairments hear just fine in quiet environments (like your doctor's office), it can be very difficult for your physician to recognize this problem. Only a trained hearing professional can determine the severity of your hearing problem, whether or not you could benefit from a hearing aid, and which type would be best for you.

There are several causes. The main ones include: Wax occlusion, outer ear infections (otitis externa), middle ear infections, presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), noise-induced hearing loss, ototoxicity (from medication), and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Hearing loss can occur at any time, at any age. In fact, most people with hearing loss (65%) are younger than age 65!

Audiologists are professionals with a master’s degree, Au.D., or Ph.D. in audiology, the study of hearing. They specialize in testing, evaluating, and treating hearing loss. An audiologist may also fit hearing instruments. Hearing Aid Dispensers are trained in fitting and dispensing hearing aids. Hearing aid specialists are often state-licensed and board-certified to test for hearing loss and to fit consumers for hearing aids. Otolaryngologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck disorders. Otologists treat disorders of the ear and its related systems. Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists can determine if there’s a medical condition causing the hearing loss, or whether medical treatment, such as surgery, could be helpful.

While you are no doubt concerned about appearance, compensating for a hearing loss by asking people to repeat themselves, inappropriately responding — or not responding at all — to people talking, or even withdrawing from social situations is more obvious than wearing a hearing aid. Today's hearing aids are small, discreet and more stylish than ever before. Some are even invisible. And, chances are that once you have a hearing aid, your quality of life will improve so much that cosmetics won't be as much of an issue for you.

Treatment of hearing loss has been shown to improve: Communication in relationships Intimacy and warmth in family relationships, Ease in communication, Earning power, Sense of control over your life, Social participation, Perception of mental functioning and Emotional stability

At their most basic, hearing aids are microphones that convert sound into electrical signals. An amplifier increases the strength of the signal, then a receiver converts it back to sound and channels it into the ear canal through a small tube or earmold. A battery is necessary to power the hearing aid and to enable amplification.

While no hearing aid can restore your hearing to normal (except in cases of very mild hearing loss), most hearing aids are designed to let you hear soft sounds that you couldn't hear before, and prevent loud sounds from becoming uncomfortably loud for you. They are also designed to improve your ability to understand speech, even in noisy environments.

Today's digital hearing aids come in a wide variety of sizes and style — from those that fit behind the ear to completely invisible hearing aids — and feature different technology levels to match your specific needs and budget.

Yes. Most people need an adjustment period of up to one months before becoming acclimated to — and receiving the full benefit of — wearing their hearing aids. However, you should expect to notice demonstrable benefits right away.