Hearing Aid Basics - Frequently asked questions

Basic Questions about Hearing Aids:

How do hearing aids work?

Hearing aids are programmed specifically to your hearing loss to help amplify sound and thereby reduce your listening effort. They are also designed to amplify loud, medium, and soft volume sounds independently, so that they give a different amount of amplification based on the sound that is coming in. Finally, they give noise reduction in noisy environments. You still hear that there is sound around you, but it should not be as intrusive.

Do hearing aids really work today?

Absolutely! With the current generations of hearing aids, the customer satisfaction rates for all of the major manufacturers are between 90-95%.

How well will hearing aids help me hear again?

That depends on a number of factors. We expect a significant increase in hearing ability. We can amplify most pitches back to the normal hearing range. However, this does not mean your hearing will be normal! Since hearing and understanding are two separate pieces, our doctors of Audiology will discuss reasonable expectations with you.

How long will my hearing aid last?

The average lifespan for hearing aids is approximately 5 years. Most people choose to update at that point because technology changes very quickly and they are looking for something that is new and even better!

Is there an adjustment period to wearing hearing aids?

Absolutely. For the average hearing aid user, it takes your brain approximately a month to get used to new hearing aids. During this time your brain may be hyper-vigilant as it re-learns the sounds of daily life. One thing to keep in mind is that there are many adjustments that can be made for sound quality to make the transition easier.

What is the best hearing aid?

That depends on a number of factors. These include your hearing loss configuration and severity, listening needs, hand dexterity, cosmetics, and comfort to name a few.

What should I look for when choosing a hearing aid?

There are a few major things to look for. First and foremost, the technology inside the hearing aid. Be sure you compare apples to apples. Second, warranty lengths may vary from 6 months to 3 years. Third, but extremely important, is the follow up care. The follow up care and structure that is included with the hearing aid may vary widely. However, this is one of the most important aspects of the hearing aid process and your being successful with hearing aids. Don’t scrimp on follow up!

What is an ear impression?

They are a two-part silicone mixed that is squeezed into the ear canal to create a form of your ear canal. It is then removed from the ear and sent to the manufacturer to have a custom ear piece made for you.

Are hearing aids waterproof?

There are some hearing aids that are “waterproof.” However, the vast majority are moisture resistant. Most hearing aids now carry an IP 68 rating (IP 70 is totally waterproof). Hearing aids must still be removed for showering, bathing, and swimming. If you perspire or get caught in the rain, simply wiping the hearing aid off is generally enough to keep it in good working order.

What if my ears have a lot of wax in them?

That happens and is nothing to worry about. Hearing aids have wax filters for the portion that goes into the ear canal. These can be changed by you at home if they get plugged. If you are prone to wax impactions, it is recommended that you schedule regular cleanings with our ENT, Dr. Franklin Douglis

Hearing Aids and Noisy Rooms:

How do hearing aids help in noisy environments? Will hearing aids reduce background noise?

Yes! They give noise reduction in noisy environments. You still hear that there is sound around you, but it should not be as intrusive. Typically, the better the hearing aid you buy (meaning to higher the price point), the better the noise managers are. Our doctors of Audiology will discuss the differences in technology with you at your hearing aid evaluation appointment.

Are there hearing aids for single sided hearing loss?

There are. This type of system is called a CROS or BICROS system. It is a system that takes sound from the side of the bad ear and transmits it to a hearing aid on the good ear. This enables users with single sided deafness to hear people on the side of their bad ear without having to turn their head. You will still not be hearing out of the bad ear, but it will be easier to decipher what is said on that side.

Do I have to wear two hearing aids?

There are several reasons why a hearing aid is necessary in both ears when you have a binaural hearing loss. First, your brain relies heavily on what it hears from each ear to determine where a sound is coming from if you cannot see it and also to help sort out what is background noise versus the sound that you are wanting to hear. Your brain also takes what it hears from each ear and adds the sounds in the middle to make sounds louder and more clear. Finally, if you do not use the hearing in one ear, it will decrease more rapidly than the other side. By wearing a hearing aid, you are exercising the hearing nerve and your brain! Since you hear with your brain, not your ears, this exercise is important. Hearing loss and word understanding tend to decrease more quickly without hearing aid use.

Other Hearing Aid Questions:

Can a hearing aid damage your hearing?

No. If a sound that is coming into the hearing aid gets too loud, the hearing aid will cut off the sound or compress it. However, hearing aids do not act as ear plugs, so you should always remember to protect your hearing in loud environments.

Are there any hearing aid dangers

Not really. The two very rare issues that we occasionally encounter are pressure sores and external ear infections. Our doctors of Audiology keep a close eye out to eliminate these issues before they start. One of the great things about our practice is that since we are in the same office as Dr. Franklin Douglis, who is an ENT, if problems arise, we can treat them promptly and efficiently.

Can I control my hearing aids through a smartphone app?

All of the hearing aids that we work with as a practice are connected and can be controlled via smartphone if you desire. We will help you connect and install everything you need to be successful.

Can I listen to phone calls and music from my hearing aids?

Yes. Due to the Bluetooth connectivity in the current generations of hearing aids, your telephone calls and media will stream directly to both of your hearing aids. They essentially become a Bluetooth headset.

Do microwave ovens interfere with hearing aids?

Not at all. You may hear the noise from the microwave running, but it should not interfere with the hearing aid’s function. One odd thing that some users may experience is a beep from the hearing aids in response to the beep from the microwave. In this case, the hearing aid thinks that the beep it heard was feedback and it is trying to suppress the feedback.

Do hearing aids set off metal detectors?

Not anymore. They contain a very small amount of metal and are detectable on a full body scanner (like at airports); however, they will not trigger a standard metal detector.