Dr. Jeff Weltmer

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Facts You Should Know About Hearing Aids

In most cases, “nerve deafness” and high frequency hearing loss can be corrected with hearing aids. Today, over 95 percent of persons with hearing loss can successfully wear hearing aids, as hundreds of our patients would attest to.

After having a hearing evaluation, the audiologist may recommend a hearing aid for you. He or she will take into consideration your lifestyle and personal goals and guide you to the most suitable circuit choice and hearing aid style. Medical clearance is obtained before fitting, which is an FDA requirement.

• Something to Consider
• Hearing Aid Styles
• Open Fit Technology
• Hearing Aid Technology
• Two Hearing Aids or One?
• Who Can Be Helped?
• Cost of Hearing Aids
• Trial Period
• Realistic Expectations

Something to Consider

The many recent improvements in hearing aid technology have made this an exciting time, with more choices than ever for consumers. When searching for the right hearing aid, it is important to begin by locating a caring, professionally certified, and competent audiologist. It is the job of the audiologist to "wade" through the various hearing aid options with you to determine what will best meet your needs. At Associated Audiologists we feel strongly that each patient is unique and we will work with you until we find the hearing aid that will help you hear your best. This is consistent with our mission to establish and provide quality, convenient, caring, and comprehensive state-of-the-art hearing care services.

Hearing Aid Styles

Hearing aids come in a wide range of sizes or styles. Depending on your individual needs, these include the (CIC) or completely in the canal, in the canal, in the ear, or behind the ear. Most hearing aid technology is available in any of these styles. For example, many people think that a behind-the-ear hearing aid is old technology. This is not true. The behind-the-ear hearing aid is simply the shell that holds the technology. Our audiologists will help you determine the style you are most comfortable with, along with the technology that best suits your needs.

Open-Fit Technology

If you have a mild to moderate high frequency hearing loss, you may want to consider a new type of “open-fit” hearing aid technology. “Open-fit” hearing aid technology has many advantages specifically for those with high frequency hearing loss.

Here is how “open-fit” hearing aid technology works. Traditionally, hearing aids have been custom molded to fit the individual’s unique ear size and shape. This allows more sound to be retained and delivered to the auditory system. If the hearing aid is made with a large vent, creating a more open ear canal, the wearer’s voice may sound more natural; however, the presence of an enlarged vent creates a risk of feedback, or whistling.

Hearing aids equipped with digital technology help solve this problem through the use of digital feedback reduction circuits. These circuits allow for an open fitting, enabling the wearer to hear his or her own voice comfortably, while also decreasing the risk of feedback or whistling. This open fitting approach significantly reduces the “hollow” voice perception that some people experience while wearing hearing aids.

“Open-fit” technology keeps the ears open to sound, rather than plugging the ear with the physical hearing aid. The lower-pitched sounds that you don’t need amplified, such as the sound of your own voice, travel normally through the ear canal, remaining natural and comfortable. With an open fitting, sounds at the eardrum arrive directly from both the open ear and the hearing instrument.

An “open-fit” hearing aid features an earset, which fits securely along the contours of the outer ear, ending in a soft, tiny open tip hidden in the ear canal. “Open-fit” technology also features fully automatic adjustment to the listening environment; comfortable, natural sound quality without feedback; clear speech in background noise; the ability to hear very soft sounds; and low battery consumption.

For more information about “open-fit” hearing aid technology, visit any of our three offices.

Hearing Aid Technology

Today's modern technology has provided significant advances compared to older conventional hearing aids. With the advent of the computer, we now have a vast selection of programmable hearing aids using digital processing and directional microphones for better hearing in many listening situations.

Two Hearing Aids or One?

This should be determined by the audiologist. For most people with hearing loss, binaural amplification (two aids) offers substantial improvement, in both quiet and noise, along with a better sense of direction or localization as to the sound source.

Who Can Be Helped

"Nerve deafness" and high frequency hearing loss can be corrected with hearing aids in most cases. You are never too old to start using hearing aids. Today, over 95% of persons with hearing loss can successfully wear hearing aids.

Cost of Hearing Aids

Typically, a patient can expect hearing aids to cost from $1,000 to $3,000 each, depending on the style and technology of aid and professional dispensing fees.

Trial Period

The law concerning the trial period of hearing aids varies by state. We offer a 30-day evaluation period with the purchase of every new hearing aid so you can decide whether or not a particular hearing aid is helping you. During this trial period, we will schedule follow-up appointments to make adjustments if you need them.

After the purchase of your hearing aid, service of your hearing instruments is a priority at our offices. We understand that you depend on your hearing aids to communicate, and promise to make every effort to provide you with prompt service. We perform routine repair services in the office to minimize manufacturer’s repairs and may provide loaner hearing aids to use if yours need to be repaired by the manufacturer.

Realistic Expectations

Associated Audiologists helps you understand the role of hearing aids. Just as eyeglasses do not "cure" vision problems, hearing aids do not “cure” hearing loss. However, hearing aids can help you enjoy the benefits of better living through better hearing.

New microphones bringing crystal-clear changes.

Affordable hearing aids for people with low incomes.

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