You may have hearing loss if you experience any of these symptoms:

• You hear people speaking but strain to understand their words.
• You frequently ask people to repeat what they said.
• You don't laugh at jokes because you miss the punch line.
• You frequently complain that people mumble.
• You need to ask others about the details of a meeting you just attended.
• You play the TV or radio louder than your friends, spouse and relatives.
• You cannot hear the doorbell or the telephone.
• You find that when people look directly at you while they speak to you, it makes it easier to understand.

If you have any of the above symptoms, we recommend an appointment to obtain a comprehensive audiometric evaluation.

An audiometric evaluation (AE) is the term used to describe a diagnostic hearing test.  An AE is more than just pressing the button when you hear a " beep. " Rather, an audiometric evaluation allows the audiologist to determine the type and degree of your hearing loss and it indicates how well (or how poorly) you understand speech in quiet and in noisy backgrounds. Speech sounds are the most important sounds we hear and the ability to understand speech is extremely important.  Your ability to hear and understand speech in quiet and in noisy situations can be accurately assessed by your hearing care professional (audiologist, ENT, hearing aid specialist). The AE also includes a thorough case history (interview) as well as visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum and more.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common type of hearing loss. More than 90 percent of all hearing aid wearers have sensorineural hearing loss.  Sensorineural hearing loss is also called " cochlear loss " and " inner ear loss " and is called " nerve loss. " The most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss are age related changes in hearing and noise exposure. People with sensorineural hearing loss typically report they can hear people speak, but can't understand what they're saying. People with sensorineural hearing loss often complain " everyone mumbles. " They also usually hear better in quiet places and may have difficulty understanding what is said over the telephone.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the ear canal, eardrum, or tiny bones of the middle ear, resulting in a reduction of loudness.  Conductive losses may result from earwax blocking the ear canal, fluid in the middle ear, middle ear infection, obstructions in the ear canal, perforations (hole) in the eardrum or problems with the three middle ear bones.  A person with conductive hearing loss may notice their ears seem to be full or plugged. Conductive hearing losses should be evaluated by a physician to explore medical and surgical options. 

Mixed hearing loss means a sensorineural hearing loss combined with a conductive hearing loss. For example, the patient may have a noise induced hearing loss from noise exposure and a perforation in the eardrum. The combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss is therefore, mixed.

Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency is plotted from left to right. Hearing loss (HL) is measured in a scale of decibels normalized for human hearing (dB HL) and is described in general categories (below). 

The general hearing loss categories used by most hearing professionals are as follows:

Normal hearing (0 to 25 dB HL)
Mild hearing loss (26 to 40 dB HL)
Moderate hearing loss (41 to 70 dB HL)
Severe hearing loss (71 to 90 dB HL)
Profound hearing loss (greater than 91 dB HL)

Interestingly, some people may tell you they don't need hearing aids because they ONLY have a 30 decibel hearing loss. However when you plug your ears with your fingers, you'll experience approximately a 25 decibel hearing loss - and you'll quickly realize that going through your day with even a little hearing loss is quite irritating and disconcerting!

In general, there are 4 basic styles of hearing aids... Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal (ITC), Completely in the Canal (CIC). There are variations on the four basic styles. Your hearing healthcare professional (audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser) will work with you to help you decide on the best style for you, based on your needs and desires.

Yes, If you have two ears with hearing loss, and if hearing in both ears could be improved from hearing aids, you will need two hearing aids.

A hearing aid worn in only one ear will often sound "flat" & "dull". Binaural amplification -- aids on both sides -- minimizes impact of "head shadow" drop off, improves sound localization and widens dynamic range.

Binaural hearing allows a quality of "spaciousness" or "high fidelity" to sounds, which cannot occur with monaural (one ear) listening. Understanding speech clearly, particularly in challenging and noisy situations is much easier while using both ears. Additionally, using two hearing aids allows people to speak to you from either side of your head.

Lastly, most people simply cannot hear well using only one ear. There are studies in the research literature that show that children with one normal ear and one ''deaf'' ear are ten times more likely to repeat a grade as compared to children with two normally hearing ears. Additionally, we know that if you have two ears with hearing impairment, and you wear only one hearing aid, the unaided ear is likely to lose word recognition ability more quickly than the ear wearing the hearing aid.

Hearing aids take time and patience to use successfully. Wearing your aids regularly will help you adjust to them.

Become familiar with your hearing aid’s features. With your audiologist present, practice putting in and taking out the aid, cleaning it, identifying right and left aids, and replacing the batteries. Ask how to test it in listening environments where you have problems with hearing. Learn to adjust the aid’s volume and to program it for sounds that are too loud or too soft. Work with your audiologist until you are comfortable and satisfied.

You may experience some of the following problems as you adjust to wearing your new aid.

• My hearing aid feels uncomfortable. Some individuals may find a hearing aid to be slightly uncomfortable at first. Ask your audiologist how long you should wear your hearing aid while you are adjusting to it.
• My voice sounds too loud. The “plugged-up” sensation that causes a hearing aid user’s voice to
  sound louder inside the head is called the occlusion effect, and it is very common for new hearing
  aid users. Check with your audiologist to see if a correction is possible. Most individuals get used to
  this effect over time.
• I get feedback from my hearing aid. A whistling sound can be caused by a hearing aid that does not fit or work well or is clogged by earwax or fluid. See your audiologist for adjustments.
• I hear background noise. A hearing aid does not completely separate the sounds you want to hear from the ones you do not want to hear. Sometimes, however, the hearing aid may need to be adjusted. Talk with your audiologist.
• I hear a buzzing sound when I use my cell phone. Some people who wear hearing aids or have implanted hearing devices experience problems with the radio frequency interference caused by digital cell phones. Both hearing aids and cell phones are improving, however, so these problems are occurring less often. When you are being fitted for a new hearing aid, take your cell phone with you to see if it will

Proper maintenance and care will extend the life of your hearing aid. Make it a habit to:  

• Keep hearing aids away from heat and moisture.
• Clean hearing aids as instructed. Earwax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid.
• Avoid using hairspray or other hair care products while wearing hearing aids.
• Turn off hearing aids when they are not in use.
• Replace dead batteries immediately.
• Keep replacement batteries and small aids away from children and pets.