What style is right for me?

Choosing a hearing aid style depends on a number of factors. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of each hearing aid style with your Richmond Hearing Consultants hearing health care professional.

Factors that Affect Style:

1. Shape of the ear. Some ear canals do not allow for deep fitting hearing aids such as the CIC.

2. The ear canal size.

3. Manual dexterity (important for inserting/removing the hearing aid)

4. Excessive ear wax build-up.

5. Drainage during ear infections.

6. The amount of hearing loss and which frequencies are affected.

7. The need for options on the hearing aid (multiple microphones, telephone switches etc.)

Why are two hearing aids better one?

1. People understand speech and conversation better because there is equal sound to both ears and that's what your brain requires to hear well.

2. Improved listening in noise.

3. Find out where a sound is coming from a lot easier.

4. Your hearing is balanced between the ears and the sound quality is improved because you are listening in stereo.

5. You can hear speech at a distance better with both hearing aids.

6. Stimulation of the hearing nerve with sound may prevent the hearing loss from getting worse.

7. It's a lot easier to listen in groups.

8. Loud sounds are more tolerable because the sound is more comfortable when coming into both ears.

9. Lower volumes can be used in both hearing aids when compared to wearing only one, resulting in less chance of the hearing aids squealing when you are wearing them.

10. Receiving sound to both ears sometimes reduces tinnitus.

What should I expect from my new hearing aids?

The first experience you will notice is that you are hearing sounds that you haven't heard for a while. Some people find this a little stressful, but it is important to remember that prior to your hearing loss you were able to hear those sounds. It does take time for your brain to get used to the new sounds. This varies among individuals, but usually takes a few months. The trial period with the new hearing aids allows you enough time to get used to the improvements in your ability to hear. Over time you should notice the following:

1. Improved hearing for softer voices.

2. Your hearing in comfortable levels of noise should be improved.

3. Soft speech should be audible, average speech should be comfortable and loud sounds should be tolerable.

4. If you have BTE's the earmolds should be comfortable.

5. Your voice quality should be acceptable.

6. There should be no feedback (squealing) when the hearing aids are inserted properly into your ears.

7. You will hear sounds that you haven't heard for a while

How much do hearing aids cost?

Actually, less than a few dollars a day!

If you invest in yourself, in your health, in your hearing, returns are guaranteed for improved quality of life! Keep in mind that the cost of any hearing aid will include years of research and engineering design costs, manufacturing costs, and clinic dispensing fees. As the number of consumers who need this sophisticated equipment increases, costs will decrease, just like it has over the years for other electronic products like TV‟s, DVD players, or cell phones.

Yes, purchasing good quality hearing devices can be a big outlay all at once, but I think you‟ll agree with us that at less than a few dollars a day – your hearing health is worth it!

Give us a call (604) 278.0900