Audiology (Hearing)

Providing comprehensive services for hearing problems.

Hearing aid information

For most hearing losses, hearing aids are recommended to help maximize the amount of auditory information a patient receives. Hearing aids come in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as with differing degrees of technology. The audiologist will recommend which type of hearing aid is best for you or your child's type of hearing loss. They will then work with you to make sure you are getting the most out of your hearing aid.

It is important to realize that technology does not determine the size of the hearing aid. Because a hearing aid is digital does not mean that it will be very small. How small or large a hearing aid will be is determined by the amount of hearing loss and, therefore, the amount of power the hearing aid needs to produce. The more powerful hearing aids need larger batteries and larger receivers, so they need larger casings.

Prior to obtaining a hearing aid, two things are required:

• A medical clearance from an ear, nose and throat physician.
• A hearing test performed within the last six months.

Other technologies exist to optimize the auditory input to the hearing aid or to the unaided ear. FM Systems are devices which increase the signal to noise ratio at the ear. A microphone is placed at the source of the sound you wish to hear. The sounds are then transmitted to either your hearing aid or to a speaker system near you, allowing you to better hear without environmental sounds getting in the way. Our Department is more than happy to discuss what benefit you might expect from these devices and if they are right for you.