My family feels I have a hearing loss. I don’t think I have a problem. How do we settle this disagreement?

Your family may be right. Hearing loss typically occurs very slowly. Others are often more aware of the frequent repetitions and volume changes in the TV than you are, of your problem than you are, and the first to notice changes in your hearing ability. It is frightening to think that you may be losing your hearing, which is why you want to seek help from an Audiologist.

At Audible Difference, your hearing is always evaluated by an audiologist who has graduate education, certification, and licensure, in audiology.  This thorough evaluation determines the recommendations that are made including possible medical referral, counseling, hearing aids, and hearing rehabilitation services.  Hearing aids are selected from a variety of manufacturers to find the solution for your needs.

Your hearing ability is unique. At Audible Difference, we are your advocate.  We look carefully at all your options and help you decide what solutions would best meet your needs.

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What are the early signs of hearing loss?

A friend of mine is considering purchasing hearing aids.  What should she look for?

Performance, price, and style are all considerations when purchasing hearing instruments.  Individual differences in hearing loss and physical shape and size of the ears may make one type of hearing aid preferable over another. Good vision and nimble fingers of are also important in changing the batteries of small hearing instruments.

Ask whether there is a trial period, how long it is, and how much she would owe if the hearing instruments were returned.

Finally, encourage your friend to discuss her preferences with her audiologist before the instruments are ordered. Good communication is essential for successful hearing!

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I had my hearing evaluated and was told I could benefit from two hearing aids.  Can’t I get by with just one? 

You use two ears to localize sound, to give sound depth, and to help you hear and pinpoint sound in noise. We know that individuals who wear two hearing instruments need less volume when both are used than if only one instrument is used.

The positions and types of hearing aid microphones have a great deal to do with your ability to take advantage of these benefits. Completely-in-the-Canal instruments are designed to place the microphone inside the ear canal to take advantage of the acoustical shaping that the ear/pinna provides.  “Zoom” microphone technologies in behind-the-ear instruments allow users to make their hearing aids less sensitive to sounds coming from behind them. 

You may be able to “get by” with one hearing aid, but if your audiologist has recommended two hearing instruments, you owe it to your ears to give them a try.

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When are they going to computerize hearing aids? 

Computers have been used for over ten years to select, fit, and program hearing instruments. Programmable hearing instruments are analog circuits controlled by a computer chip.  They provide greater precision and flexibility in meeting your hearing loss needs and matching your comfortable listening range compared to conventional amplifiers. They can be reprogrammed over and over to meet changes in your hearing or changes in your listening life. Programmable hearing instruments come in a range of prices and a variety of styles (Completely-in-the-Canal to Behind-the-Ear models).   Programmable hearing aids are available from most major manufacturers and vary in the type of sound amplification strategy, type of filtering, and use of directional microphones. 

Computers are used not only to select and fit hearing instruments, but are used inside hearing instruments to change the way they sound.  Digital signal processing improves sound quality, dynamic range, and provides the audiologist with greater fine tuning ability to meet your individual hearing loss requirements.  In the newest type of hearing aids, digital hearing aids, computer chips are used not just for storing and controlling information, but for changing the sound itself. One example is in controlling feedback (whistling) on the telephone. The digital hearing instruments can automatically reduce acoustic feedback so that when the user holds a telephone to their ear, the whistling is controlled without sacrificing volume. Digital hearing aids may be combined with directional microphones for improved performance in noise.  They are also optimized for battery consumption and size of the hearing instrument.

The computer is a tool to improve the accuracy of hearing instrument selection and fitting, and to provide alternatives in sound processing that meet your needs.  Your audiologist combines the knowledge of your hearing loss and communication needs with the technical knowledge and sound processing capabilities of hearing instruments to recommend the most appropriate hearing instruments for you. 

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What ever happened to Nicolet Instrument Corp.’s hearing aid venture? 

In 1989, Nicolet Instrument Corp. brought the world’s first commercially available wearable digital hearing aid to market. It consisted of a pocket computer attached to a behind-the-ear hearing aid.  By 1991, both pieces had been engineered into a completely behind-the-ear device. Unfortunately Nicolet was unable to find a joint venture partner to continue research, development and marketing, so the project was discontinued.  [more info]

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What is the youngest age that hearing can be tested?

Audiologists can test hearing at birth.  The earlier a hearing loss is identified, the sooner appropriate treatment can begin.  This is critical for speech and language development. 

In 1993, the National Institutes of Health endorsed universal hearing screening for all infants within the first three months of life.  In 1994 the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing released a position statement supporting early identification of hearing loss and early intervention.

Computer technology combined with new information about the ear has led to the development of hearing screening procedures that are quick and painless.  Within a matter of seconds to minutes, information can be quickly collected to evaluate how the infants’ ears are working.

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I have ringing in my ears. What can be done about that?

Tinnitus or ringing in the ears can be caused by exposure to loud noise and also by many medical conditions.  It can be temporary or permanent and can occur in one or both ears. An increase in stress, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and aspirin and caffeine intake can increase tinnitus.  

The first step in evaluating tinnitus is to have a thorough general medical evaluation and history with particular attention paid to cardiovascular, pulmonary and neurological systems.  Next, see your audiologist for a through evaluation of the hearing system.

There are a wide range of treatments for tinnitus including use of medications, and use of devices.  The type of treatment plan is determined by the type of problem you have. Please see Tinnitus References.

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After I went to a recent rock concert, my ears were ringing and they felt stuffed up.  What’s happening?

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I'm a medical professional who has a hearing loss. What resources are there for me? 

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