FAQs
about hearing devices
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I
have been told that I have nerve deafness. Will hearing instruments help?
Possibly. Most hearing instrument users suffer from this type of loss. Medical
experts generally agree
that no effective medical treatment has been found for nerve deafness. If you
are one of the estimated
40 million Americans who suffer from this kind of hearing loss, you should
consult a hearing professional.
My hearing isn’t really so bad. Why shouldn’t I put off
getting hearing instruments?
It is
sad and wasteful to live a life less than at its fullest. Remember, hearing
instruments cannot restore your hearing to normal. They may only add strength to
the hearing you have left. Early help may lead to
the greatest benefit from the use of hearing instruments.
I
can hear people when they talk, but sometimes have difficulty understanding what
they are saying. How are hearing and understanding related?
Understanding words and sentences is a function of your brain. Your ears collect
sound, transform it into nerve impulses and send them to the brain where
understanding takes place. If deadening of the nerves (celia) has occurred,
understanding may become difficult or sometimes impossible because parts of the
sound are missing. A properly fitted hearing instrument is designed to
compensate for a loss of sensitivity, and may improve your ability to perceive
sound.
I
can understand when one person is speaking in a quiet room. But will hearing
instruments help me to understand in a crowd?
Much of
the noise in our surroundings is low-pitched and tends to mask out the weaker,
high-pitched sounds that give speech meaning. The latest development to solve
hearing and understanding problems in a crowd is the NU-EAR Low Frequency
Reduction Switch (LFRS). This tiny system reduces the frequencies where
background noise exists. Although the noise is not eliminated, it’s masking
effect may be reduced.
I
have difficulty hearing with both ears. Do I have to wear an instrument in each
ear?
When both ears are impaired, two-ear assistance may be superior to that of a
single instrument.
Hearing instruments are so small. Why are they expensive and why do some cost
more than others?
Hearing
losses are as different as fingerprints. With most patients, it entails the
manufacture of a precise electronic device specifically designed for that
individual. A hearing instrument fitted at a lower cost may be a stock
instrument designed to fit many losses. A custom, one-of-a-kind hearing
instrument designed to fit your individual loss is more expensive.
A
doctor told me hearing instruments wouldn’t help. What can I do?
Technological advances in the design of hearing instruments have given many
hearing impaired individuals the opportunity to enjoy the possible benefits of
amplification. Although some people may not be helped by hearing instruments,
you should have a thorough test by a hearing professional to assure yourself.
My hearing has been getting worse. If I am fit with hearing instruments, will I
have to replace them soon?
A
hearing instrument is normally fitted with adjustable circuitry, which, to a
degree, may be adjusted to your changing hearing loss.
I’m not sure hearing instruments will help me. Should I try before I buy?
To
succeed with amplification, one must be fully committed. In your particular
case, it may take longer than a “trial period” to fully adapt, and receive
maximum benefit from the instruments. If you prematurely stop using the
instruments, you may never know how close to success you were.
I
have a friend who has a hearing instrument but doesn’t use it. Why should I take
the chance of doing the same thing?
Since
all hearing losses and instruments are different, your friend may have been mis-fitted
or obtained a stock instrument not suitable for their precise hearing loss, and
was unable to wear the instrument comfortably. Today’s custom-built hearing
instruments are fit by Sandia Hearing Centers with great precision to fit your
particular needs.
Are hearing instruments hard to wear?
At one
time, the only hearing instruments available were bulky and uncomfortable to
wear. Today, however, you may be fit with hearing instruments that are
custom-built to fit entirely within your ear canal. Adjustment to a custom-built
instrument may prove easy for most persons.
What should I do if my hearing instruments need repair, adjustment, or are
accidentally misplaced?
Policies
vary, but Sandia Hearing Centers include “in-office” service for repair and
adjustment of your hearing instruments. You may also purchase a separate policy
to protect against loss.
Is there another alternative to wearing a traditional hearing aid?
Yes,
today there is an alternative to wearing a traditional hearing aid. Traditional
instruments like body aids, BTE’s, In-the-Ear or In-the-Canal instruments may
remain visible and fail to use the natural acoustics of the outer ear. An
innovative fitting procedure using a tiny electro-acoustic hearing instrument,
now makes it possible to hear without compromising your appearance. This total
service procedure combines video otoscopy, deep canal fitting techniques,
advanced modification skills and new standards in patient counseling and
rehabilitation. Those persons who have this fitting procedure may experience
many hearing amplification benefits.
I
don’t want my friends to know I am hard of hearing. Will others notice I am
wearing hearing instruments?
Without
question, anyone who knows you well knows you have a hearing problem. A hearing
loss can be much harder to hide than a hearing instrument. But, with today’s
technology, many instruments are so small they may not even be noticed!
You may have other questions...
We are always prepared to answer any questions you may have. The
trained and professional staff at Sandia Hearing are here to serve you.
Call us at
800.493.5450.
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