Q: It seems like I know a lot of people with hearing loss. How common is it? A: Hearing loss is more prevalent than most people realize, and it affects people of all ages. Research shows that 1 out of 8 people aged 12 and older have some degree of
Q: Why do my friends hear better with their hearing aids than I do? A: Well, a hearing aid is only as helpful as the programming of it. Yes, the computer software for the hearing aid can generate a recommended fitting, but how do you know if that is actually
Q: Why do I hear some things better than others? A: Hearing well requires that our ears have full access to sound across a range of pitches and loudness levels. Think about a stereo and how you might adjust the bass or treble to improve the quality of the music.
Q:What’s the most important feature to look for in a hearing aid? A: The most important “feature” of a hearing aid is who is doing the actual programming of that hearing aid. It’s not the type of noise reduction, microphones, wireless technology, or processing – it’s the clinician and office you’re
Q: What’s the difference between “hearing aids” and the inexpensive “hearing amplifiers” I see in magazines?– Harford County Aegis “Ask a Doctor” A: Mail order hearing amplifiers are designed to make sounds louder. In a very quiet situation, they can work OK. But they are not programmed specifically for the
Q: Why do I have a hard time hearing softer sounds, but then loud sounds are too loud? A: A healthy ear can pick up the tiny sound vibrations from a passing mosquito and yet still comfortably handle the massive sound vibrations of a fire engine siren. This is because
Q: Why do some people do so well with their hearing aids while others struggle? A: Hearing aids are tools. Just like any tool, their effectiveness is dependent upon being used properly. It is the audiologist’s responsibility to program and adjust the hearing aids to accommodate the specific needs of
Q: My mom tells me that if she can hear my music, my earphones are too loud. Is this true? A: It may be annoying to her and those around you, but the research shows that it may or may not be loud enough to cause hearing damage. How much
Q: My wife has trouble hearing me when we go out to eat. What’s the best way for us to sit in a restaurant? A: Hearing in a noisy restaurant is difficult for a lot of people with hearing loss. To set yourself up for success, you need to be
Q: What’s the difference between entry-level, mid-level, and top-of-the-line hearing aids? A: Much like the cell phone industry, hearing aid manufacturers must constantly innovate and release better and better hearing aids in order to stay relevant in the market. When a manufacturer releases a new line of hearing aids, their