Frequently Asked Questions about Hearing Aids

Should I get a hearing aid?

Have your friends or family been suggesting that this would be a good idea? Do you feel that people are mumbling? Before you purchase any hearing aid, see a qualified audiologist. Your audiologist will test your hearing and make the appropriate recommendations. If you are a hearing aid candidate, your audiologist will guide you through the selection process.

I have been told that hearing aids will not help nerve deafness.
Is this true?

Medical intervention usually does not cure nerve deafness but in most cases it can be helped through properly fitted amplification. A hearing test done by a qualified audiologist will help identify what type of hearing loss you have.

Do I need two hearing aids?

People hear better with two ears than with one. Binaural hearing improves your ability to understand speech in noise and helps you to locate the sounds around you.

Can I get hearing aids that filter out background noise?

Understanding of speech, especially in noisy environments, will vary depending upon your degree of hearing loss, how well the hearing aids have been fitted, how frequently the hearing aids are used, and the signal-to-noise ratio present in the environment. Many recent developments in hearing aid design help you to cope with adverse listening situations.

Will I have to let my hair grow long to cover two large hearing aids in my ears?

In recent years, hearing aids have become smaller and more cosmetically appealing. Your audiologist can review the style choices appropriate for your hearing loss and personal preferences.

Will hearing aids restore my hearing to normal?

Hearing aids are designed to aid hearing but they cannot restore hearing. They are only a part of the hearing rehabilitation process. Your audiologist will help you with all aspects of your journey towards better hearing.

Are hearing aids too expensive for me?

Your hearing aids could be the best investment you make for yourself. Good communication is fundamental to all our personal relationships. The variety of hearing instruments available makes it very likely that you will be able to find good amplification in a comfortable price range.

What is a telephone coil?

Often, as a hearing aid wearer, when you place a telephone receiver to your ear your hearing aid makes an unpleasant whistling noise. A telecoil option, added to your hearing aid, uses the electromagnetic energy produced by the telephone and eliminates the annoying feedback. The hearing aid will have a switch allowing you to choose between the standard microphone mode and telephone compatible mode. Ask your audiologist to explain the features of your hearing aid to you.

Do I have to wear my hearing aids all the time?

You haven't heard well for a long time and you have adapted to imperfect hearing. You have to relearn what "normal hearing" is and one of the best ways to achieve this is to wear the hearing aids as much as possible, as consistently as possible during waking hours. You may have to increase wearing time gradually in the beginning but full time use is the ultimate goal. Your audiologist will help you to accomplish this.

How do I care for my hearing aids?

Very little care is required. You must keep the hearing aids clean and dry. Every 10 to 14 day fresh batteries must be inserted. Your audiologist will show you how to do these things when you get the hearing aids for the first time and you will be given a booklet of instructions to take home with you.