About Hearing Aids
Answers to Common Questions

I don't need hearing aids! ...or do I?

          Many people with impaired hearing are either unaware there is a problem or believe their hearing loss is no big deal. Research shows that those close to them are better able than they to judge the severity of their problem. If you’re curious about your or a loved one’s hearing take advantage of our free hearing screening service. Call our center at 631-271-6263 to schedule your hearing checkup appointment. You’ll be given an accurate checkup by a licensed audiologist with plenty of time to discuss the results and your options.

Can surgery help my hearing?

         Surgery is an option for some types of hearing loss but the vast majority of adults with long-standing hearing loss are not candidates for surgical improvement. Your physician will advise you. In most cases, hearing aid use is the only practical and successful option.

What if I don't get hearing aids?

          Avoiding the use of hearing aids prolongs the hardship your problem imposes on you and your loved ones. Studies suggest: “use it” (your hearing) “or lose it” (clarity of your remaining hearing).

I’ve heard that hearing aids amplify unwanted sounds?

          Scientific advancements are bringing us ever closer to duplicating the way the normal ear functions. Modern hearing aids, especially digital ones with intelligent loudness cushioning, background noise reduction and dual microphones, are effective for reducing interference from unwanted noise.

m                They’re designed to automatically compensate for your
          hearing  loss at several pitch ranges

m  Should your hearing loss change, digital hearing aids can
          be reprogrammed to make them suitable for your new
          hearing status.

Why are they so expensive?

          As hearing aid technology improves, hearing aid costs for advanced technology instruments has actually come down. Current pricing reflects the need to continue research into new developments in the ongoing attempt to achieve clear, natural-sounding hearing for a wide variety of hearing losses under a wide variety of listening conditions. The cost of hearing aids also reflects the costs associated with highly trained and enthusiastic audiologists, malpractice insurance, state of the art equipment and office facilities, ongoing after-sale consultations and adjustments at no additional charges, and much more. When hearing aids are sold at bargain prices, it is likely that lowered or totally absent profits negatively affect the attitudes of those doing the dispensing.

Why two hearing aids? Can't I do just as well with one?

          If you have a hearing loss in both ears you will probably be urged to try binaural hearing aids (one in each ear). Binaural users report the following advantages of wearing 2 hearing aids:

m                spoken words sound clearer and more natural

m                the source of sound is easier to locate (a safety factor)

m                background noise is less bothersome

m                hearing aids in each ear amplify more gently than does a
          single hearing aid in one ear

m                rapid speech is followed more easily

For a comprehensive essay on the advantages of binaural hearing, click link below.

     Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ear(s)

If I don’t like them and want to return them...

          If, despite our efforts to modify and improve your hearing aids, you want to return them during the 45-day trial, you may do so and receive a full refund. Although NYS law allows us to charge a “trial” fee equal to 10% of the hearing aid cost, our policy is to waive that fee unless -- and this is rarely the case -- you have special needs that require an extraordinary use of time or material resources. We pledge to give you no surprises regarding costs. If there is the possibility of a fee being charged, we will let you know.

But do they help?

          The majority of people who try hearing aids find them to be very helpful. Make sure your audiologist advises you frankly what you may reasonably expect from hearing aids use given your particular degree of hearing loss. It is only then that your expectations can be in line with the degree of benefit you achieve. If you add to your reasonable expectations, healthy portions of optimism, flexibility and patience, you are well on your way to finding your new hearing aids a very big blessing indeed.

Can hearing aids help those with “nerve loss?”

          Yes! Since the 1950's hearing aids have been helping people with impaired hearing whether the loss stems from nerve damage or conductive (non-nerve) impairment, whether it affects the low, middle or high pitches, whether it's very mild or very severe, and whether it's in one or in both ears. Recent advances in microchip technology have made hearing aids far more successful.

Will they be very noticeable?

          No. Modern hearing aids are virtually undetectable. Thousands of individuals are successfully using ultra-miniature completely-in-the-canal hearing aids. Several other types too are designed to be effective as well as inconspicuous. Your audiologist will guide you in selecting the type best for you.

What if I have trouble with my hearing aids?

          Office visits for ongoing instruction, counseling and adjustments are included in the cost of your instruments. Appointments are available weekdays and Saturdays. Our goals are: (1) to give you the clearest, most natural hearing possible, in quiet and in noise; (2) to help you feel entirely confident in using your hearing aids; and (3) to get your hearing aids to fit so comfortably and work so well that you're scarcely aware they’re in your ears.
          Most problems can be resolved by our staff. If not, during the manufacturer's warranty period, no charge modifications will be made.

Must I wear them all the time?

          Most occasions call for good hearing. Accordingly, your aids should be worn whenever you want to hear as well as possible. During the initial 45-day trial period, try to use your hearing aids under as many different listening conditions as possible. The more you use them the better prepared you will be to tell us about your experiences, positive and negative, so we can make the adjustments needed to bring you complete satisfaction before the 45 -day trial period ends.

“ Toward Better Understanding”