Hearing aids

Our Best Practices for Hearing Aids and the Essential Benefits Our Patients Receive

Finding the right fit is essential for success when it comes to hearing aids. A tailored fit is key to ensure your hearing treatment is optimal. That’s why our patients trust us for their professional hearing services. At Lifetime Hearing Clinic, we use “Gold Standard” best practices and this is a difference that matters.  It takes more time and more effort but it ensures the treatment is the best it can be.  Because we care, we pride ourselves on doing things the right way.  Choosing the best hearing aid device can be a big decision.  We take the time to get to know our patients and look at several different factors.  

Medical Profile

We discuss issues of concern while reviewing disease treatments, surgeries and family history.  By understanding pre existing medical conditions and current health issues, personalized treatment plans are holistically developed.  

Review of Hearing Test Results

We carefully inspect the ear shape and as well as any cerumen (wax) present to determine what style of hearing aid would be most successful based on auditory anatomy structures.  We safely, quickly and painlessly clean ears to remove blockages if needed.  Clean and clear ears ensure not only an accurate fitting of a hearing aid but also reveal what customized follow up care plans will be needed to keep hearing aids working optimally in the future.   Speech in Quiet test results are reviewed and help reveal word understanding without visual lip-hearing assistance and helps to set up realistic expectations of treatment.  Speech in Noise testing provides a window into the patient’s ability to clearly understand speech when background noise is present and review of these results can help determine what degree of noise reduction must be present in a hearing aid for the treatment to be successful.  

Review of Patient’s Lifestyle Needs and Budget

Hearing aids come in a variety of levels and features.  As we move up in technology level and features are added, it allows the hearing aid to automatically make smarter decisions in more difficult, noisier environments to help preserve speech understanding and filter background noise.   Discussing specific environments and activities a patient is exposed to frequently can help ensure a patient’s specific needs will be covered by the technology level chosen without fear of paying for features not needed.  Additionally, we offer demonstration hearing aids that can be programmed to any level of hearing aid technology a person would like to try.  This allows a patient to leave the clinic, immerse themselves within their specific daily environments and see how a certain level of hearing aid technology handles their needs.  Upon return, the demonstration hearing aid will recommend what level of technology it deems most appropriate for a patient’s lifestyle based on data logging gathered during the trial.  Patients appreciate the opportunity to “test drive” hearing aid technology as it takes away the fear factor of pursuing treatment and helps them make a more educated decision.

Real Ear Measurements

This test is performed during the fitting of the hearing aid.  A thin microphone is inserted into the ear canal alongside the hearing aid to exactly measure audible speech levels.  This initial fitting verification guides our skilled professionals to precisely adjust amplification levels based on hearing loss and ear canal anatomy and ensures best hearing acuity.  

Mobile Phone Connectivity

Hearing aids can be paired to mobile phones and other devices so they automatically connect when in use.  When set up properly and the patient counseled on its use, this popular feature allows sounds from other devices to stream directly to hearing aids.  

Expert Counseling

We provide useful guidance in a relaxed, no-rush environment on how personalized hearing aids can most comfortably deliver best results.  During the initial adaptation process and for life, we share practical advice on best ways to rediscover sounds and gradually improve hearing acuity.  

Follow up Care

Multiple follow-up visits are scheduled during the initial hearing aid trial period. During these visits, we listen carefully to daily observations and fine tune program settings for peak performance.  As hearing instruments today are highly programmable, small modifications may produce significant results. It's important that hearing aids are comfortable, both in terms of physical fit and sound loudness. As lifestyle needs evolve, we ensure personalized features help the patient experience the joys of hearing to the best ability.  Successful treatment requires long term maintenance.  Hearing aids are an investment.  Just like other investments such as a home or car, required maintenance matters.  To ensure ideal aftercare and to prolong the life of the investment, quarterly service appointments are performed.  

Everything You Need to Know About Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are an essential tool for those with hearing loss. With so many different styles and options available, it can be confusing to know which type is right for you. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the types of hearing aids available, the benefits they offer, and what you need to consider when selecting one.

Types of Hearing Aids Available

Hearing aids come in a variety of styles from top manufacturers such as ReSound, Phonak, Starkey, and Oticon. The three most common types are Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) and custom-fit devices. BTE devices fit comfortably behind the ear with a plastic case that houses the components and connects to an earmold or custom tip that fits inside the ear canal. RIC devices have a smaller case than BTEs and are less visible because the receiver sits inside the ear canal instead of behind it. Custom-fit devices are made from impressions taken of each ear by a licensed hearing care professional and fit entirely in the ear.   Advanced models offer additional features like Bluetooth connectivity, directional microphones for improved sound processing, fall detection sensors to alert caregivers if needed, rechargeable batteries, tinnitus relief programs, adjustable settings for different environments, waterproof protection for showering or swimming activities, and more.

Benefits of Using a Hearing Aid

Hearing aids can improve communication with others by making it easier to hear conversations in noisy environments or from a distance away. They also increase the ability to hear softer everyday sounds like birds chirping, clocks and blinkers ticking and children’s voices.  Additionally, they provide increased safety due to awareness of potential dangers such as honking horns on busy streets, sirens while driving, unexpected visitors to the home or smoke alarms.  They also boost confidence in social situations by allowing ease in following conversations without having to ask people to repeat themselves multiple times or rely on lip reading alone.

Finally, hearing aid use promotes overall quality of life by improving cognitive functioning, memory recall and other mental processing tasks associated with comprehension and understanding conversations in real time.  

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