ABOUT HEARING AIDS

Questions about Hearing Aids

About Digital Technology

Types of Hearing Aids

Realistic Expectations

Adjusting to your Hearing Aid

Caring for your Hearing Aid

Why two Ears are Better than One

About Repairs

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

Cochlear Implants

ABOUT HEARING AIDS

QUESTIONS ABOUT HEARING AIDS

What is the best hearing aid?
This is similar to asking what is the best car! Hearing aids, like eye glasses, must be fit to your particular hearing loss. One hearing aid will not fit everybody. There are about thirty manufacturers of hearing aids all over the world. We believe it is best to consult with an audiologist who is not restricted to sales of only one brand because he or she is then free to choose the best solution for your needs from all manufacturers. As a multi line dispenser we believe this attribute sets us apart from our competitors.

Why do hearing aids vary so much in cost?
As with automobiles, it’s what’s "under the hood" that determines cost. Although digital hearing aids used to be the most expensive, digital technology is available at a wide range of price points and represents the most common type of hearing aid sold today.  Generally you get what you pay for—you can still expect features and performance amongst digital aids to vary based on hearing aid cost.  Digital circuits contain a computer that allows the audiologist to program literally hundreds of adjustments into your hearing aids. Digital hearing aids produce the best sound quality available today and are adjustable should your hearing change. Dr. Pianin will work with you to select an instrument that fits your individual needs as well as your budget.

Will I become dependent upon my hearing aids?
We certainly hope so! If properly fitted, hearing aids will not make your hearing any worse, nor will they prevent your hearing from deteriorating naturally. Once accustomed to listening with hearing aids, most people do find they are somewhat "lost" without them and put them on along with eyeglasses each morning. You will probably find that you will be less fatigued by social gatherings and long conversations than you were before acquiring your hearing aids. A "dependence" upon hearing aids is no different than a "dependence" on eyeglasses. If you need them to hear and see clearly, become dependent!

My loved one's hearing aid whistles much of the time. What causes this and what can we do to make it stop?
Whistling, or feedback, is a very common symptom of a poorly fit hearing aid. The hearing aid’s job is to amplify sounds not heard well by the user. If the amplified sound coming out of a hearing aid gets picked up by its microphone rather than going down the ear canal, feedback will occur. It is necessary to isolate the microphone from the ear canal with a custom fitted shell or earmold. A whistling hearing aid is caused either by an earmold or shell that does not fit the ear snugly,  an earmold or shell that is not properly seated in the ear canal, or jaw movement causing the aid to shift and move in the ear canal. Most newer instruments have a feedback cancellation system, making this problem less common in new fittings.

Is there a trial period?
As your satisfaction is our goal, we offer a 30-day satisfaction period that allow you to return your instruments for a refund (minus applicable fees allowed by law) if they don’t meet your needs. 

What are the payment requirements?
Expect to put a ½ deposit down at the time your aids are ordered, with the balance due when they are picked up.  For those who wish to take advantage of our 12-month 0% interest payment plan, through care credit, an approved line of credit is needed at the time of order, with the actual charges not being processed until the aids are picked up.

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ABOUT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

While digital hearing aids were once available only to those who could afford top-of-the-line products, digital technology has now effectively replaced analog and programmable hearing aids across all price levels and in all shapes and sizes.  In fact in 2006, 91.7% of all hearing aids sold were digital.   Digital hearing aids have one or more microchip processors inside them that convert analog sound waves into the zeros and ones of the computer languages.  Sounds in this format can be processed more quickly and more efficiently than analog sound waves, and the sound output can be better manipulated by the audiologist to provide a more efficient match to an individual’s hearing profile.  The CD-quality sound that digital processing produces is excellent.  In essence, digital hearing aids are customized “hearing computers” for your ears.

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TYPES OF HEARING AIDS

Hearing aids are available in four basic styles designed to meet most hearing needs:

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REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Hearing aids work EXTREMELY well when fitted and adjusted properly. Hearing aids amplify sound! The left and right hearing aids will probably not fit exactly the same and they probably won’t sound exactly the same. You might find you like one hearing aid better than the other.  Nonetheless, hearing aids should be comfortable with respect to physical fit and sound quality. Hearing aids do not restore normal hearing and are not as good as normal hearing. You will be aware of hearing aids in your ears. Until you get used to it, your voice will sound "funny" when you wear hearing aids. Hearing aids should not to be worn in extremely noisy environments. Some hearing aids have features that make noisy environments more tolerable; however, hearing aids cannot completely eliminate background noise. Background noise is a real bother for many people. We encourage you to speak with us about features and options that do significantly reduce background noise, such as directional microphones, and FM systems.

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ADJUSTING TO YOUR HEARING AID

Discovering you have a hearing loss and adjusting to hearing aids can be overwhelming. Most people do not simply lose their hearing overnight. Rather, their hearing loss gradually develops over several years. In the meantime, you forget what sounds are like. The same is true for learning to hear with a hearing aid. Simply placing the aids in your ears will not instantly eliminate the hearing loss. It takes commitment, determination and patience to successfully adjust to hearing aids.

Don't get discouraged. For people with long-term untreated hearing loss, sounds heard through a hearing aid may be unfamiliar since they haven't been able to hear them in a while. It takes time to become accustomed to all these new sounds.

Talk to Dr. Pianin about any concerns or questions. If something doesn't sound right, or listening is not comfortable, let her know so she can make programming adjustments to improve the sound quality.  Also discuss any problems with fit and/or comfort of the aids as soon as possible.

Be persistent. Wear your hearing aids as much as possible. It takes time to adjust to the new sounds you are hearing, as well as the sensation of something in your ear. Take a break when you need to, but put the aids back in your ears as soon as you are ready. Try to increase the amount of time you wear your hearing aids each day. 

Be realistic. Don't expect to hear every sound clearly from the moment you put your hearing aids on.  It takes time to learn to hear again, especially if your loss has been uncorrected for many years.  Studies show it can take as many as six months for your brain to fully “accept” the new sound. 

In addition, we strongly advise that you do NOT wear your hearing aids to a cocktail party or restaurant during the first few weeks, thinking "this will be a good test!" It will absolutely not be a good test – it will be very difficult! You should not wear hearing aids in noise until you are very accustomed to them.

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CARING FOR YOUR HEARING AID

Proper care and maintenance of your hearing aids will help to ensure you are getting the best performance quality possible, and will prolong the life of your hearing aids. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call us for the answer!

Cleaning

• Clean your hearing aids every day. Use a soft cloth or tissue (non-lotion) to wipe the outside of your hearing aid. Never use alcohol or cleansers as they will harm the aid's shell.  This will help remove skin oils and wax from the hearing aid shell or earmold.
• Use a dehumidifier kit regularly to help combat moisture from perspiration and/or the air that can enter the hearing aid and damage the components.  Even if you can’t see it, our humid climate in Florida can corrode wires and circuitry over time.
• Use a wax loop or brush to remove ear wax and other debris from the hearing aid or earmold.  Never use a straight pin or other sharp object to clean wax from your hearing aids.
• If your instruments are equipped with a wax filter, be sure to change the filters at least once a month, or any time the aids sound weak or dead.
• Schedule an appointment for us to replace BTE earmolds and tubing when they become dry, cracked, stiff or discolored.  BTE earmolds made of soft vinyl can also shrink over time.  Most earmolds will need to be replaced after 1-2 years of use.

Storing

• Open the battery door when the hearing aid is not in use.
• Store it in a cool, dry place away from moisture and humidity.  It is best not to store them in the bathroom, which can get filled with steam during showers. 
• Protect your hearing aid from excessive heat (hair dryer, vehicle glove box or dashboard).
• Never put your hearing aids in a pocket or wrap them in a tissue—use the protective cases they came with instead.

Care

• Do not get hearing aids wet. Remove hearing aids when swimming, showering, perspiring, etc.  If your aid gets wet, remove the battery and open the battery door.  Do NOT microwave the aids in an attempt to dry them out, or they will melt!  Bring them in for a checkup as soon as possible.
• Do not use hair care products (especially hair spray) or apply lotion, sunscreen or makeup to your face while wearing hearing aids.  Remove your aide first then refit them after you've applied the product.
• Bring your hearing aids in to us for regular servicing and performance checks.  Although all hearing instruments are likely to need maintenance and servicing at some point, routing cleaning and checks can keep them working properly, much like a car needs oil changes and tune-ups every so often for optimum performance.
• Avoid dropping or banging your hearing aids on hard surfaces.

Batteries

Battery life can vary from instrument to instrument.   The exact schedule for changing batteries depends on factors including the size of the battery, the amount of time the hearing aids are worn and the power requirements of the hearing aid.  Generally, the smaller the battery size, the shorter the battery life, which can range from 5 to 21 days.  Most new digital hearing aids have battery warning indicators. Before the battery goes out, the hearing aid will "beep, beep, beep" to tell you your battery is voltage is running low and it needs replacement. Using excellent, fresh batteries is important, and changing batteries should take no more than 60 seconds.

• Store batteries in a dry, safe location away from children and pets.  Do not refrigerate hearing aid batteries as it impedes their performance.
• Replace dead batteries immediately, as they can leak and corrode your hearing aid.
• Once the tab is removed from a battery, it will slowly lose power over a 30-day period regardless of whether it is used in a hearing aid or not.  As the batteries are vacuum sealed at the factory, replacing the tab will NOT prevent this loss of power from occurring.  Therefore, do not remove tabs until you need the battery.
• Never put batteries in your mouth. If a battery is swallowed, call the battery ingestion hotline printed on the back of each pack of batteries immediately for assistance.
• Always discard batteries carefully.  Throw dead batteries away immediately so as not to confuse them with good batteries.
• The sizes of hearing aid batteries are listed below, from smallest to largest, along with their standard number and color codes (tab color).
  
  Size 5:  RED
  Size 10:  YELLOW
  Size 13:  ORANGE
  Size 312:  BROWN
  Size 675:  BLUE

We are proud to carry Proline batteries, available exclusively through our hearing aid dispensers. These high performance batteries last 20% longer than Duracell batteries! Aks about our Battery Club and its benefits!

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WHY TWO EARS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Wearing two hearing aids, called binaural amplification, can provide solid benefits, according to clinical tests and field trials. Even when a hearing loss is more severe in one ear, many hearing-impaired people can still benefit from the natural sound-gathering ability of both ears.
Binaural amplification can improve how well you identify the source of a sound. If a car blows its horn as you cross the street, hearing the direction of the sound can mean the difference between safety and injury. Without the ability to hear properly with both ears, it can be harder to figure out who is calling your name or whether someone is knocking at your front door or back door.
Two hearing aids can offer more normal, balanced sound and better overall sound quality. Wearing two hearing aids can improve how well you might understand conversation in social and group settings. And it can offer a comfortable level of hearing because the volume of both hearing aids can be set lower.

Benefits of binaural amplification

• More normal, "balanced" sound
• Better overall sound quality
• Better understanding in group situations
• A more relaxed listening experience (never having to turn to favor the "good" ear)
• Ability to set volume controls lower, enabling the wearer to hear sound at a softer, more comfortable level
• Improve the wearer's ability to identify the source and direction of a particular sound

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ABOUT REPAIRS

More than 75 percent of all hearing aid repairs are due to moisture and earwax accumulating in the hearing aid. The vast majority of these repairs are 100 percent preventable. It is extremely important to clean the entire hearing aid every time it is removed from your ear by wiping and brushing it. To better protect your investment, use a dessicant kit every night. Electronic drying units, such as the Dry & Store Global, are the best. They include a germicidal light that kills most bacteria and other germs. They also have desiccants to absorb moisture and fans to circulate air around the internal components of the hearing aid. Get in the habit of cleaning the hearing aid after each use and keeping the hearing aid in the dry-aid kit at night. The hearing aid is electronic and moisture is the enemy! Preventive maintenance is the key to trouble free, long life from a hearing aid. A well maintained hearing aid can easily last 5 to 7 years, maybe longer.

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Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

Hearing aids alone are sometimes not the complete answer for people with hearing loss.  Assistive listening devices (ALDs) may enable you to clear additional hurdles you encounter daily and add to the benefit your hearing aids can provide.  ALDs are other options to help you while using the telephone, watching television, attending meetings or religious services, and conversing in difficult listening situations such as restaurants or automobiles.  In addition, alerting devices which include smoke detectors, doorbell signaling devices, alarm clocks, and baby crying indicators, etc., are also available.

We are pleased to be the only distributor of home loop systems in the Tampa Bay area.  These inexpensive but effective devices are wonderful for those who have difficulty understanding TV, even with their hearing aids.  Ask us for a demonstration to learn how loop systems can change your television watching experience for the better.

FM systems work to enhance hearing in difficult listening environments such as in background noise or listening at a distance, and their portability makes them especially effective for those whose speech understanding ability even in optimal environments is compromised.  Common uses include car trips, meetings, restaurants, religious services, and in the classroom.  New Bluetooth enabled FM systems are also excellent for cell phone use.

FACTS ON ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES (ALDs)

• ALDs are “binoculars for the ears” and may benefit many people with residual hearing.  They are intended to augment standard public address and audio systems by providing signals that can be received directly by persons with special receivers or their own hearing aids.

• A minority of hearing aid owners concurrently use ALDs.  About 1 in 4 consumers use a phone amplifier, while less than 10% of hearing instrument owners are users of ALD devices for enhancing their hearing with TV, at movies, in places of worship, or in conferring.

• ALDs “stretch” the performance of a hearing aid by increasing the signal to noise ratio (SNR). This is significant as SNR has to be higher for many people with hearing loss for them to hear speech over background noise

• ALDs reduce the effect of distance between the person with hearing loss and the sound source; override poor acoustics; and minimize background noise.

• There are hard-wired ALDs and three types of wireless ALDs (audioloop, FM, and Infrared).  All three types can be used with or without hearing aids, and can be used with an array of receiver attachments for consumers with varying needs and preferences.  This includes neck loops, silhouette inductors, headphones, direct audio input and other linkages.  Hard-wired ALDs include hand-held amplifiers with microphones, direct audio input microphones, and hard-wired systems. 

• Another category of assistive listening devices are the self-contained beam-forming microphone arrays. Some may connect with hearing devices via the telecoil or direct audio input.

• Each type of ALD has advantages and disadvantages. The type of ALD appropriate for a particular application depends on the characteristics of the setting, the nature of the program, and the intended audience.

• ALDs may be installed in large areas, portable for personal use, or in the case of FM systems, built into a hearing aid.

• ALDs are an example of auxiliary aids and services and reasonable accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA ) to be provided by public facilities, state and local governments, and employers, to enable people with hearing loss to participate in their programs and services.
• ALDs typically have not been covered by any public or private health insurance plans, and are not available in mainstream retail outlets.  Most ALDs must be purchased through catalogs of ALD distributors or from some hearing health professionals. Access, availability and therefore awareness of ALDs by consumers are limiting factors to their acceptance and use.
• Other assistive technology that can benefit people with hearing loss include alerting devices, such as special smoke detectors, doorbells, telephone ring signalers, telephones, and alarm clocks.  These may produce laud signals, visual signals, or tactile signals.  Captioning and CART (Computer Assisted Real-time Transcription) also provide great benefit.

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COCHLEAR IMPLANTS

Generally speaking, cochlear implants are for patients with severe-to-profound, sensorineural hearing loss.  Cochlear implants are utilized in the patient who cannot benefit from hearing aids. The cochlear implant is a device used to bypass the nonfunctional inner ear and converts sound into electrical impulses that directly stimulate the cochlear nerve. The implant consists of an external portion comprised of a microphone, sound processor, and external coil and an internal portion that must be surgically implanted. The surgical procedure involves the placement of an internal receiver beneath the skin behind the ear, and a stimulating electrode array is inserted into the cochlea. The electrical signals are manipulated and controlled by the audiologist to maximize speech perception. The brain interprets these electrical impulses as sound. Again, not all patients are surgical candidates, and not all cochlear implant recipients receive the same benefit.  It is important to remember that the vast majority of patients who receive cochlear implants are actually "deaf" prior to implantation and they have not been successful with traditional hearing aids.

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