Frequently Asked Questions
The following hearing loss check is based on the Revised American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) five-minute hearing test*. It is a means of quickly assessing if you possibly have a hearing loss requiring referral for an objective hearing test and possible hearing solution. If you agree with two or more of the following statements a full audiological evaluation is recommended.
I have a problem hearing over the telephone…
I have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time…
I have trouble understanding things on television…
I have to strain to understand conversations…
I have to worry about missing a telephone ring or doorbell…
I have trouble hearing conversations in a noisy background such as a crowded room or restaurant…
I get confused about where sounds come from…
I misunderstand some words in a sentence and need to ask people to repeat themselves…
I especially have trouble understanding the speech of women and children…
I have trouble understanding the speaker in a large room such as at a meeting or place of worship…
Many people I talk to seem to mumble (or don’t speak clearly)…
People get annoyed because I misunderstand what they say…
I misunderstand what others are saying and make inappropriate responses…
I avoid social activities because I cannot hear well and fear I will reply improperly…
Family members and friends have told me they think I may have a hearing loss…
How much will hearing aids help?
Hearing aids are just that—aids. They will not fully restore your hearing loss, but they will help you maximize the hearing you do have. Adjusting to hearing aids takes time. You most likely did not lose your hearing overnight, and you will not adjust to your hearing aid overnight. It will take time, practice, and patience to adjust, but the end results will be worthwhile.
How much do hearing aids cost?
The more sophisticated the technology, the more expensive the hearing aid. Modern hearing aids vary in cost, features and technology to cover a wide range of budgets, needs and hearing solutions. There can be thousands of dollars difference between today's basic digital technology and cutting edge premium hearing aids with multiple memories, programs and additional features. Family Audiology considers our patients' hearing healthcare first but we are sensitive to financial concerns and we always try to provide the best possible solution.
A frequently asked question is whether or not the expense of new hearing aid technology is worth considering. Typically for those who have tried conventional hearing aids with limited success or those who live or work in a noisy environment with significant demands on their hearing, digital hearing aids are worth the investment.
Does insurance cover the cost of the hearing evaluation and/or the hearing aids?
Many insurance policies cover the cost of a full hearing evaluation and often they cover some cost of a hearing aid. We will be happy to contact your insurance company in advance to confirm your hearing healthcare benefits.
What are causes of whistling or feedback
You may occasionally experience a whistling sound called “feedback.” This occurs when amplified sound leaks out of your ear canal and enters back through the hearing aid microphone causing a “feedback loop.”
Some degree of feedback is normal. With many of the advanced feedback reduction systems available it is typically kept to a minimum.
In addition, if the unit is turned on before inserting, you may experience feedback. Once the hearing aid is firmly in place and you remove your hand the feedback should stop.
If the hearing aid continues to whistle it may be for one of the following reasons:
- It is not inserted properly. Try pushing gently on the canal portion of the device to create a better seal between the hearing aid and your ear canal.
- Volume control is set improperly. Check the volume control to insure it is on the default setting. This is accomplished by opening and closing the battery door. Some devices have numbered volume wheels. For these units verify that the volume is set between “2” and “3” on the wheel. If this volume level is uncomfortable programming changes are needed. Please make an appointment for hearing aid adjustment services.
- Stiff or brittle earmold tubing. The tubing on earmolds should be replaced regularly (every 3 to 6 months). Older tubing may become hard and brittle which not only effects comfort of the earmold, but also changes the acoustics of the amplified signal. Older tubing is also less able to create the necessary seal with the hearing aid allowing for sound to leak and feedback to occur.
- Crack in hearing aid shell or earmold. Visually inspect the hearing aid. If a small crack or hole is noted contact Family Audiology for repair services.
Consistent feedback is NOT typical and is usually a sign of a poorly fitting hearing aid. Please contact Family Audiology for information regarding recasing hearing aids or impressions for new earmolds.
How do I store my hearing aid?
Moisture is the #1 enemy of hearing aids. Please do not store your hearing instrument in the restroom where humidity from the shower can cause damage. Placing your hearing aids in the proper case with a functioning desiccant will help prevent moisture damage.
Proper care and maintenance will increase the functionality and lifespan of your unit. To store your hearing aid over night:
1. Remove the battery.
2. Gently wipe hearing aid with a tissue or soft cloth.
3. Place hearing aid in the provided desiccant case or Dry and Store unit.
*Source: Koike, J.; Hurst, M.K.; and Wetmore, S. J. Correlation between the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery five-minute hearing test and standard audiological data, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Volume 111 (5), pp. 625-632.
Pediatric Frequently Asked Questions
from AG Bell
What are the first signs that parents should look for when they are suspicious of a hearing loss?
Unless a family has reason to expect the possibility of a hearing loss, some of the early signs may be missed. Sometimes, hoping that suspicions are not true, parents wait before having their baby's hearing checked. However, it's important to test the child's hearing as soon as you suspect that there may be a problem. If there is a hearing loss, it can be assessed and when appropriate, the baby can be fitted with hearing aids. You should be concerned if you notice that:
- Your infant does not startle to loud or sudden noises, or turn toward sound.
- By 8 months, the baby is not cooing, babbling, or laughing.
- By 12 months, the child is not trying to imitate sounds and actions in turn-taking games or is not understanding simple commands.
What are the effects of newborn screening? Is this a diagnosis? If a baby passes the screening, is everything okay? If they fail, are they deaf or hard of hearing?
The screening is a simple test done by an audiologist which takes only a few minutes to perform. It is not a comprehensive testing of hearing. Its purpose is to identify babies that need further testing to determine the presence of a hearing loss. If a baby does not pass the screening test, more thorough hearing testing is normally done before a diagnosis is made. It is important for parents to realize that in screening, there can be "false positives." Screenings are not comprehensive. A baby may fail the screening, but follow-up testing can indicate no hearing loss. On the other hand, a baby may pass the screening, yet in time, a hearing loss may be identified.
How often should a child have his or her hearing tested?
Initially, when a hearing loss is suspected, it is recommended that a child undergo testing using an Auditory Brain Response (ABR) which does not require the child to respond; rather, it measures brain activity. If the ABR reveals a hearing loss, more testing is usually done. During the process of more accurately determining the exact degree of hearing loss, the pediatrician, the otologist, and/or the audiologist may recommend more frequent testing. Children with hearing loss are not easy to test. It will take a series of tests as the child gets older and can cooperate better, to fully determine the type and extent of the hearing loss. Audiologists' opinions differ on how often a young child should be tested. Most recommend that children under three years of age be tested every six months. After that, unless a child has an ear infection or is not responding as is expected, a comprehensive evaluation once a year should be sufficient.
How should you approach your child's first days of wearing hearing aids? What should you do when problems arise?
Be positive, happy, and firm. Your child will take his or her cues from you. At first, placing in your child's ear is going to be strange for you and your child, and you may feel fear or frustration yourself. Do not to share these feelings with your child - focus on the good that will come from the hearing aid.
Children often accept the earmolds willingly after continued use. It helps to make sure that the child is rewarded by experiencing sound as the aid is applied, so be sure to talk with your child as you do it. If a child pulls out the earmold, you need to calmly yet firmly replace it. Start using the hearing aids at a time when you know that your audiologist or therapist will be available to take calls and offer help if you need it.
Many parents find that it helps to keep a diary of the child's reactions to sound, in order to document the benefit the child gets from the hearing aids.
What is tinnitus?
from A Patient's Guide to Tinnitis Robert Folmer, Ph.D.
Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds in the ears, is a symptom that can be related to almost every known hearing problem. Tinnitus can be temporary (acute) or permanent (chronic). It can also be constant or intermittent. Temporary tinnitus can be caused by exposure to loud sounds or middle or inner ear infections.
Chronic tinnitus is usually associated with some degree of hearing loss. 90% of the patients who come to our Tinnitus Clinic have at least some hearing loss. Below are questions commonly asked by tinnitus patients:
Does tinnitus cause hearing loss?
No. In fact, the reverse is true: whatever caused a person to have hearing loss (including noise exposure, infections, aging or genetic factors) is also responsible for the generation of tinnitus.
Does tinnitus interfere with hearing?
No, tinnitus does not interfere with hearing, although it may affect one's attention span and concentration. On the other hand, tinnitus might seem louder if hearing loss increases (or if you wear ear plugs or ear muffs) because outside sounds will no longer reduce the perception of tinnitus.
How many people have chronic tinnitus?
According to Seidman & Jacobson,(1) approximately 40 million Americans have chronic tinnitus. For 10 million of these people, tinnitus can be a severely debilitating condition. However, for 30 million Americans with tinnitus, it is not bothersome. Tinnitus does not interfere with the enjoyment of life for the majority of people who experience it.
What can be done to help people who are bothered by chronic tinnitus?
I agree with Duckro et al(2) who wrote: "As with chronic pain, the treatment of chronic tinnitus is more accurately described in terms of management rather than cure." The goal of tinnitus management is not necessarily to mask or remove the patient's physical perception of tinnitus sounds. Instead, we help patients learn to pay less attention to their tinnitus so that it bothers them less of the time. The realistic goal of an effective tinnitus management program is to help patients understand and gain control over their tinnitus, rather than it having control over them. Ultimately we hope to help patients progress to the point where tinnitus is no longer a negative factor in their lives. We want them to move from the "severely debilitated" group of tinnitus sufferers to the "not bothered by tinnitus" group and to enjoy their lives as much as possible.
There is usually no cure for chronic tinnitus that has been present for a year or more. One day, medical science will probably develop a way to eliminate the symptom. In the meantime, there are several effective management strategies that provide relief for most tinnitus patients. For more information regarding these treatment options please contact Family Audiology.