Q:
A: Hearing loss can result
from many factors such as:
■
Natural deterioration of microscopic hairs in the
inner ear
■
Loud noises resulting from music, machines, or
explosions
■
Some medications
■
Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart
disease, thyroid problems,
mumps, infections, wax, punctured eardrums or birth defects
■
Genetics |
Q:
A: Yes, hearing loss is
natural. It happens to almost everyone as they grow
older. Crucial parts of the ear lose sensitivity to
certain sounds. This is what is referred to as “sensorineural”
hearing loss or “nerve damage”. By age 65,
approximately 60% of men and women have suffered this
type of hearing loss. By age 80, more than 90% of the
population has a serious hearing loss. In fact, there
are about 26 million Americans who have a hearing loss.
Sadly, less than 6 million Americans have found relief
by using hearing aids. This is not because they do no
help, but rather that may people do not seek help for
their hearing loss. |
A: As we age, sensory
cells of the inner ear may, at certain frequencies, lose
their sensitivity to sound. That is why we need to make
the sounds louder than normal and that is what a hearing
aid does. But, simply amplifying sounds is easy.
However, we don’t want to amplify all sounds equally as
this will, in most cases, make for a very noisy
listening experience which lacks clarity. A good
hearing aid’s response must be appropriately matched to
the “shape” or “audiogram” of the individual’s hearing
loss in order for it to be effective. |
A: There are certain cases
in which a hearing aid is not appropriate. If a medical
condition is thought to exist, it is necessary that an
individual seek consult of an Ear Nose Throat (ENT)
Doctor to pursue other treatment options. |
A: The cost of a hearing
aid is determined by the number of features present and
how advanced these features are. A hearing aid
generally ranges in price from $1000 and $2800 depending
on the level of technology. Hearing aids are selected
based on the patient’s needs and lifestyle. |
A: Basic hearing aids come
with a one year warranty, while the advanced hearing
aids will typically carry a 2 year warranty. Most
warranties include repairs and onetime loss/damage
coverage with a deductable. A patient has an opportunity
to extend the original warranty annually for up to the
limits determined by the manufacturer. |
A: The Food and Drug
Administration requires that an individual receive a
trial period of 30 days. Precision Audiology offers our
patients a 60 day trial period. In most cases this
proves to be enough time to determine whether or not a
hearing instrument is meeting a patient's expectations.
Should the patient feel the hearing aids not meeting
their expectations, an exchange may be considered or the
patient may return the instruments for a refund of the
purchase amount minus a $100 user fee (per unit). |
A: Only after determining
the exact extent and configuration of your hearing loss,
can a hearing aid be correctly selected and adjusted.
No hearing aid can ever bring your hearing to the level
that it once was when you were 17 years old. Age has
damaged too many of the critical microscopic hair
follicles of the inner ear. But hearing aids can
dramatically improve your hearing. In order for a
hearing aid to help you, an accurate test must be
performed to determine the exact nature and degree of
your hear loss across the frequency spectrum. There are
several types of hearing aids and we can help you select
the ones that are most appropriate for you and then we
can carefully fit it to you ear |
A: The Food and Drug
Administration requires that an individual receive a
trial period of 30 days. Precision Audiology offers our
patients a 60 day trial period. In most cases this
proves to be enough time to determine whether or not a
hearing instrument is meeting a patient's expectations.
Should the patient feel the hearing aids not meeting
their expectations, an exchange may be considered or the
patient may return the instruments for a refund of the
purchase amount minus a $100 user fee (per unit). |
A: In most cases, insurance
does NOT cover the cost of hearing aids. Most insurance
companies provide coverage for the hearing test, but
individual insurance companies will need to be consulted
in order to determine whether or not the patient has
benefits toward hearing related services and equipment.
|
A: If a hearing aid is
cared for and maintained properly, it may very well last
between 5 and 7 years, maybe more, varying amongst each
individual. |
A: When comparing services
offered through a private office to those available
through retailers such as a Beltone or Miracle Ear, very
little difference exists between the actual hearing
aids. Dispensing offices such as Beltone and Miracle
Ear often conduct more marketing on a national level so
prices tend to reflect the higher cost of doing business
resulting in a higher price tag for the consumer. |
