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Frequent Hearing Questions
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Below is a list of common questions that people often have about
Audiologists and the services and products we provide. We hope that this
hearing-related information helps give you a better idea of how we can help
you or someone you know manage a hearing loss.
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What are audiologists?
Audiologists are university trained and hold a Doctorate or Masters Degree in Audiology and/or Communication Disorders.
Are there different kinds of hearing loss?
Yes. Audiologists refer to hearing loss as being either conductive or sensorineural. Both terms describe where the problem lies. With a conductive loss the problem is in the outer ear (pinna and/or ear canal) or middle ear (ear drum and/or ear bones). With a sensorineural loss the problem is in the cochlea or hearing nerve.
Is getting a hearing aid all I can do for a hearing loss?
No. Some forms of hearing loss can be treated surgically or with medication. Your hearing test results, in the form of an audiogram, will help determine how best to appropriately address your hearing loss.
Can everyone with a hearing loss benefit from hearing aids?
Most everyone can; however, people whose hearing loss is predominately "neural" in nature may not be able to understand speech clearly no matter how loud the speaker. Your complete audiologic examination will determine the degree and kind of loss you have.
Are there other options besides hearing aids?
Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) amplify sounds from telephones, TVs, alarm clocks, door bells, and fire alarms. Our clinic can order a wide variety of products to suit your needs.
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What can I expect from a hearing aid?
The audiologist will closely monitor your initial fit. You are going to hear some things you have not heard for a long time. That is part of the process. Your brain will acclimate and your hearing aids will be fine tuned during this acclimation process. Success is due in large part to understanding this process and working with the audiologist to meet your needs.
Expect 2-4 office visits during the initial adjustment process. We ask all our patients to return to the clinic once or twice a year to be sure the performance of their hearing aid is optimal.
What do hearing aids cost?
Prices vary by the technology and size. Depending on the type of hearing loss and each individual's specific needs, the most suitable hearing aid will vary from person to person. It is the audiologist's job to recommend the most appropriate device for each individual, while providing the options necessary in meeting an individual's financial requirements.
Will my insurance pay for this?
Medicare, Medicaid and some insurance companies cover hearing evaluations recommended by your doctor. Our office works with you to clarify your insurance coverage. However, it is best for you to contact your insurance company personally, and ask what their hearing aid coverage is for your particular policy.
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What hearing aid is best for me?
First, answering this question without your hearing test results and without the chance to meet you and better understand your lifestyle is difficult. These technologies are currently available to help with hearing loss:
Digital hearing instruments represent the most advanced technology available today. These instruments actually contain a computer chip programmed by a computer. This offers the best method available on the market to match a particular hearing loss with the most prescriptive amplification needed. Complete flexibility and fine-tuning capability are among the many benefits. The processor separates the incoming sound into bands and channels, and processes each band and channel independently. Digital hearing instruments utilize separate circuit paths to independently process a thousand bits of sound information per second. This aids in the recognition of speech and allows for suppression of some of the noise that interferes.
>Most hearing instruments hear everything around you equally well. With directional microphone technology, you are able to suppress noise coming from behind you. Some digital instruments include very sophisticated D-mics (directional microphones) that can seek out the noise behind you and help to suppress it. At present, the smallest sizes are unable to accommodate the extra microphone and circuitry.
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If I have hearing loss in both ears, can I get by with just one hearing aid?
The majority of patients with hearing loss in both ears choose to use two hearing aids for the following reasons:
- Better balance in hearing
Two hearing aids allow you to hear comfortably without having to continually position one ear to catch the words of the speaker.
- Better sound quality with less power
Because sound presented to both ears is louder than the same sound at the same intensity to one ear only, the volume on two instruments can be set lower than if you use only one instrument. This is more relaxed, comfortable and less stressful.
- Better ability to localize sound
The ear closest to the sound receives the information microseconds earlier than the ear further away. This allows the brain to discern where the sound is coming from. For example, it can help you judge the location of an oncoming car you cannot see.
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© 2008 Audiology Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Audiology Associates serves the Porland, Oregon
and Vancouver Washington areas.
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