Frequently Asked Question

Hearing Aids

• What do hearing aids cost?
  • The cost of a hearing aid varies anywhere from $550 to over $2,000 per aid, depending on the style and circuitry of the hearing aid. In general, the smaller styles of hearing aids (completely-in-the-canal and canal aids) cost more than hearing aids that are of a larger style. Digital and computer-programmable hearing aids cost more than hearing aids with a standard circuit. Your audiologist will discuss with you the style and circuitry of amplification that is most appropriate for you.

• Can my hearing aid be adjusted?
  • Usually. Most hearing aids have some type of adjustment. Standard circuit hearing aids have tiny trimmer adjustments that an audiologist can set using a small screwdriver. Very small standard hearing aids may not have any adjustments due to size limitations. All programmable and digital circuits can be adjusted by connecting the hearing aid to computers in your audiologist's office. These types of circuits have many more adjustments available.

• Could I wear someone else's hearing aid that was given to me?
  • Probably not. All in-the-ear hearing aids are custom-molded for each person's ear. Therefore, someone else's hearing aid would not physically fit into your ear. Also, all hearing aids are fit specifically to each individual's hearing loss. Behind-the-ear hearing aids have custom-molded ear molds that are also individually made for each person's ear. You may be able to have a new ear mold made to couple with someone else's behind-the-ear hearing aid, but it is not likely that the hearing loss prescription would be appropriate for your hearing. Have an audiologist check the hearing aid.

• How do I use the phone with my hearing aid?
  • Some hearing aids have a telephone switch built into the hearing aid that makes the hearing aid compatible with your telephone. If your hearing aid does not have this switch, you may be able to have it added. If you are experiencing problems with whistling from your hearing aid with the telephone, you can add a pad to your phone that may help eliminate the whistling. See you audiologist for details.

• What is the life expectancy of a hearing aid?
  • With proper care, as outlined by your audiologist, the average life of a hearing aid is five to seven years.

• Why do I need two hearing aids?
  • In most cases, two are better because when only one hearing aid is worn, and there is a hearing loss in both ears, the unaided ear and central nervous system have been found to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. This is also known as 'auditory deprivation.'
    
    
  • Individuals are more relaxed with two instruments because binaural amplification reduces the need to strain to hear a sound.
    
    
  • When only one hearing aid is worn, the user will continually use the 'good,' or aided ear, by turning toward the source of the sound. This helps to improve localization ability.
    
    
  • In background noise, speech is easier to understand with the use of two hearing aids.
    
    
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    Amplifying both ears allows a more balanced sense of hearing and better overall sound quality.
    

• How often do aids need to be repaired?
  • A hearing aid is a mechanical device and, much like a car, the need for repair will usually depend upon how well you care for and protect your instrument(s). Care should be taken to keep them clean and dry as well as not to drop or jar them.

• Do I wear my hearing aids at night?
  • No. Twenty-four hour use of a hearing aid could cause medical problems in the ear canal or could be uncomfortable for sleeping. If you feel you must wear amplification while sleeping, either give you ear(s) a break from hearing aid use for a few hours during the time you are awake or alternate the aided ear every other night.

• Will wearing a hearing aid make me dependent on it?
  • Initially, it may seem as if your hearing has deteriorated upon removal of the instrument(s) for the night. Actually, the aid has only helped heighten your awareness of the sounds that you have been missing. Hopefully, you will come to rely on your amplification and it will, in turn, improve your quality of life.

• What's so much better about those digital and programmable hearing aids?
  • The digital and programmable hearing aids are more flexible to fit the hearing needs of the individual. They can also be re-programmed to accommodate changes in hearing that may occur. Another advantage that the digital and programmable hearing aids have over conventional ones is that a volume control is not needed. A complaint often heard is that people don't like to fiddle with the volume control.

• Can I wear my hearing aids just when I need them?
  • As the onset of hearing loss is generally very gradual over time, the brain gets used to not hearing all the sounds that are present. When one starts to wear hearing aids, the brain needs time to get used to hearing all those sounds again. This includes speech as well as environmental sounds. With inconsistent use, the brain does not adjust well. Even when it is quiet, there are sounds present that the brain needs to adjust to. Although you may still have difficulty understanding some background noise, you will not have nearly the difficulty you will have if you wear the hearing aids part time.