Hearing Aids

Most of the time, when hearing changes, it happens slowly. We don’t always realize it is happening, even though it may be changing our lives.

If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may have a hearing loss.

• Do you ask others to repeat themselves often?
• Have your family members and friends expressed concern about your hearing?
• Do you miss parts of conversations because people sound as if they are mumbling?
• Do you avoid group activities and crowded places because you have difficulty hearing in these situations?
• Do you turn the volume of your television or radio louder than others prefer?
• Do you have a history of noise exposure?

Recent advancements in technology make hearing aids more helpful, less noticeable and easier to use. In the past, hearing aids often made it harder to hear in noise, were usually large and visible, and required the patient to make volume adjustments when the sound environment changed.

• Directional microphones and digital processing that improve comfort and performance in background noise
• Self-adjusting circuits that alter the volume of the hearing aids as the sound environment changes
• A variety of sizes, including hearing aids that fit deeply in the ear canal and are practically invisible.
• Open ear technology which allows the person to hear their own voice more naturally and allows low pitch sounds to enter the ear naturally
• Bluetooth compatibility allowing hearing aids to be coupled with some cell phones, MP3 players, computers and other Bluetooth devices.