HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM EXPERIENCING ANY HEARING LOSS?

Some of the symptoms of hearing loss include: difficulty hearing in crowds, difficulty with female or children’s voices, thinking people are mumbling, having to ask people to repeat, turning the television’s volume louder than other people do and family members suggesting that you have a hearing problem. If you think you have a hearing loss, ask a family member if they have noticed you having difficulty and schedule a hearing evaluation.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A LOVED ONE OR I HAVE A HEARING LOSS?

First, have a hearing examination carried out by a trained professional. This will help determine the nature and level of your hearing loss and rule out any conditions that might require medical attention. Many hearing losses can be successfully contained with hearing aids, but only one-fourth of those who could actually benefit from hearing aids practically make an effort to do so.

HOW DOES THE HEARING AIDS WORK?

Hearing aids enable you to hear better by receiving and amplifying sound. While there are different types of hearing aid technology, few aspects which we consider are: Type & pattern of audiogram, Extent of hearing loss and Etiology of the problem. All our hearing aids are digital [which means it works on Digital signal processing platform] and incorporated with the latest technology for their microphones, amplifiers & receivers with integrated chipsets.

WHY DO PEOPLE REFUSE HELP TO ADDRESS THEIR HEARING LOSS?

A lot of people do not want to acknowledge or address their hearing loss, due to the wrong notion that hearing loss is associated with growing old. Majority of the population also try managing their hearing loss due to the social stigma attached with wearing a hearing aid. People are more discouraged when they learn about others negative experiences in the past with their hearing aids. Hearing aid technology has undergone drastic improvisation over the past few years, so much so that today even invisible hearing aids are available. It’s important to keep in mind that every hearing loss is different and every person has different listening needs. Which makes it very subjective in other words every person will have different expectations and a different experience.

WHAT TYPES OF HEARING AIDS ARE AVAILABLE?

Depending on the findings of various parameters, the audiologist will advise on the most appropriate hearing aid option available. Semi digital & digital hearing aids are two types available with a number of style options like Behind the ear, In the canal, Completely in the canal model etc.

SHOULD I BUY MORE THAN ONE HEARING AID?

It is always advisable to wear 2 hearing aids for a patient who has been diagnosed with bilateral [both sides] hearing loss. Using 2 hearing aids definitely helps the patient hear better in terms of clarity, localization and understanding speech in the presence of external noise etc.

WILL MY HEARING AID AMPLIFY LOUD SOUNDS AND DAMAGE MY HEARING FURTHER?

Your hearing aid will be preset to a safe level of maximum amplification. You may have to re-accustom yourself to loud sounds. All sounds are amplified with the help of a hearing aid but loud sounds are amplified to a lesser degree as compared to softer sounds. Very loud sounds are compressed in a digital hearing aid.

WHY DON'T HEARING AIDS THAT LOOK THE SAME COST THE SAME AMOUNT?

Hearing aid shells [outer casing] look alike, but what’s inside can be greatly different. There are different circuits, including those that are digital and semi-digital and hence a cost difference.