Many people who experience hearing loss have questions about how hearing aids help, how much care they require, how much they cost, and more. We have answered some of the most common questions people ask. Our Nassau County, Long Island audiologists are happy to discuss them in more depth during an appointment.
Hearing aids are electronic devices small enough to fit the ear yet large enough to amplify sound. Hearing aids combine a microphone, amplifier, and speaker to produce louder, localized sound for people with hearing loss.
Scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of hearing aids. These studies have shown that hearing aids prescribed by audiologists enhance hearing more strongly than over-the-counter hearing aids.
Hearing aids work by combining the functions of a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The microphone picks up sound, which it transmits to the amplifier as electrical signals. After the amplifier increases the power of these signals, the speaker transmits them directly to your ear.
When you first start using a hearing aid, it can take some getting used to, but with time, you’ll likely barely notice it. Itching, discomfort, and sweating around the ears can initially accompany hearing aid use, but with proper adjustment from a licensed audiologist, your hearing aid will feel like nothing in no time.
For many hearing aid users, it takes two months to get used to wearing a hearing aid. A licensed audiologist can adjust your hearing aid to address any itching, pain, or other undesirable side effects.
Hearing aids do not cure hearing loss, so if your hearing loss is permanent, you will likely need a hearing aid for a lifelong commitment.
Hearing aids have been shown to counter tinnitus. In fact, hearing aids are just one of the many methods of tinnitus therapy that we offer.
If you have hearing loss in both ears, binaural hearing aids (aids for both ears) are recommended. Similarly to how glasses usually treat both eyes, hearing aids work best when they treat both ears.
Hearing aids communicate with each other via radio signals. This communication allows for binaural hearing aids to direct their microphones at audio sources rather than straight in front of your face, supporting a more thorough hearing experience.
Most hearing aids last between five and eight years. Hearing aid users who take especially good care of their hearing aids may find that their hearing aids can last as long as 10 years. However, since hearing aid brands regularly implement new technological advancements, it may be worthwhile to upgrade before your hearing aid stops working.
Replacing your hearing aids every three to five years will help you keep your hearing as strong as possible. This approximate lifetime may vary, so consult with your audiologist to determine the right course of action.
To properly care for a hearing aid, keep it away from heat and moisture exposure, clean earwax and other drainages from the device, power down hearing aids when not in use, immediately replace dead batteries, and remove hearing aids when using hair care products and sprays.
Hearing aid batteries typically last between three and 20 days. Some hearing aids use disposable batteries, whereas others use rechargeable ones that last much longer.
The hearing aid brand best for you varies tremendously based on your symptoms and conditions. Our licensed audiologists will work with you to determine the hearing aid brand best suited for your needs.
At I Love Hearing Inc., we offer behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. Our audiologists will work with you to determine which style is best for you.
You should get a hearing aid as soon as possible after your hearing loss is diagnosed. Under FDA regulations, hearing aid fittings must occur no later than six months after you are tested for hearing loss.
In rare cases, vertigo and dizziness are among the side effects of hearing aids. A licensed audiologist can devise a new hearing loss treatment plan for hearing aid users experiencing vertigo.
We participate in and accept most insurances. Contact us for more details
Hearing loss has a variety of possible causes. Certain diseases and medications, recurrent or sudden exposure to loud noises, tumor growth, traumatic brain injuries, aging, and family history can all lead to hearing loss.
People of all ages, whether in perfect health or ill, experience hearing loss. Nearly 40 million American adults aged 18 or older have reported trouble hearing. The prevalence of hearing loss increases among adults 60 years of age and older and people who work in occupations with noise exposure, such as construction or live music.
The vast majority of hearing aids restore hearing function rather than preventing hearing loss. Hearing aids amplify sound for hearing loss patients, but they don’t necessarily counter future hearing loss.
A properly programmed and fitted hearing aid won’t make your hearing worse. When hearing aid users feel that they have more trouble hearing without an aid than before, this is the result of the brain adapting to the hearing aid rather than genuine hearing loss.
Some, but not all, hearing aids have Bluetooth. Hearing loss patients who require hearing aids but would still like to use traditional earbuds may find that Bluetooth hearing aids provide an ideal solution.
Certain cell phones will be labeled with a “HAC” (hearing aid compatible) designation. Some hearing aids come with telecoil capabilities that allow connectivity with these HAC cell phones, which minimize static and interference. A cell phone that will allow hearing aid users to hear clearly will have a high microphone rating (M) and telecoil rating (T).
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