Archive for the ‘adjusting to a hearing aid’ Category

Hearing Aids 101

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Modern digital hearing aids don’t just make everything louder. If you are considering getting a hearing aid, understanding how they work may help you a great deal.

There are many myths about hearing aids, including that they make all sounds louder. This simply isn’t the case with modern, digital hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids are programmed specifically to amplify the sounds that you need to be louder.

Digital hearing aids pick up sounds with a microphone that are then amplified and sent to a receiver that sends the signal into your ear. The technology inside digital hearing aids is able to classify sounds as speech that you want to hear or noisy clutter in the background that you don’t want to hear. This technology allows users to hear better in even challenging environments.

The sophisticated digital technology also allows your hearing aids to be adjusted to fit your needs as your hearing loss changes.

What’s the best way to find out if digital hearing aids are right for you? Try them and see what you think.  We offer a free hearing evaluation and demonstration so you can “test drive” our hearing aids before you decide if you want to buy them.  Call any of our offices to schedule your free, no-risk demonstration.

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TSA Offers Advice For Flyers With Hearing Aids

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

The check list of things to do when flying seems to be constantly changing. Travelers are often warned about what they can or can’t bring in their checked luggage. Most travelers also know you may pass through an X-ray, metal detector or be manually checked by airport security officials.

The process, at times, seems daunting, especially if you have trouble hearing.

The Transportation Security Administration travel guidelines assure travelers that bringing your hearing aids shouldn’t be a problem.

Here is the most up-to-date information regarding hearing aids from TSA. You can find more information at, www.tsa.gov.

  • It is not necessary to remove hearing aids at security checkpoints.
  • It is best if you wear your hearing device while going through the metal detector.
  • According to Otolaryngologist and Otolaryngology surgeons, hearing devices such as hearing aids are not affected by X-ray inspection, the walk-through metal detector, or the hand-held metal detector.
  • If the screening process is unclear to you, ask the Security Officer to write the information down.
  • If you can read lips or are hard of hearing, ask the Security Officer to look directly at you and repeat the information slowly.
  • If you need to communicate with the Security Officer, inform her/him of your disability and the way in which you can communicate. TSA Security Officers are trained to provide whatever assistance they can to persons with hearing disabilities.
  • If you are concerned or uncomfortable with going through the walk-thorough metal detector, you can ask for a full body pat-down of your person and a visual and physical inspection of the exterior component while it remains on your body.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season whether traveling or not – Hearing Aid Express.

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Panasonic Releases Unique New Hearing Aid

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Do you have a hearing loss, but aren’t ready to wear hearing aids all the time to improve your hearing in both ears?

Panasonic has released a new product that may be just right for you. 

Panasonic’s JZ is a new type of hearing aid that is stylish, comfortable and easy to use. Designed to look like a small music player, it allows you to hear better from both ears using only one device. It’s like getting two hearing aids for the price of one.

Panasonic’s JZ will help you hear the sounds from your everyday life, including your friends and family, your television and stereo. It will fit easily inside your purse or pocket so you can carry it with you.

Because the Panasonic JZ looks more like an MP3-style music player,  your friends and family won’t even suspect you have a hearing loss. This style is also a good alternative for those who spend a lot of time reclining,  but still want to hear better.  It’s size makes it easy to use and adjust for those whose ability to manipulate small buttons just isn’t what it used to be.

With this new style of hearing instrument adjusts easily to up to four different sound environments. That means with a quick,  push of a button you will be able to hear better in various sound situations such as watching television or talking with friends and family.
 
The JZ comes with noise reduction, wind suppression and feedback suppression technology. It is also rechargeable or can use AAA batteries and comes in three      colors — red, blue and silver.

If you are unsure if you have a hearing loss, take this quick survey. If you respond ‘yes’ to some of these questions you may have a hearing loss.

DO YOU?

 Have any difficulty hearing on a phone?

Find that friends and family often tell you the television is too loud?

Find yourself straining to understand conversations?

Have trouble hearing conversations in a noisy background such as a crowded room or restaurant?

Stop wondering if you have a hearing loss. Call the hearing professionals at Hearing Aid Express today.

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Even Celebrities Lose Their Hearing

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

United States presidents, famous actors and actresses, Miss America and athletes have all suffered from hearing loss.

It isn’t a condition that many of us plan for. In many instances it happens gradually and over time. You may wake up one day and realize that your hearing just isn’t as good as it used to be.

It happens to millions of Americans, more than 35 million to be exact. That number happens to include, former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan; actors Sally Fields, Burt Reynolds and Robin Wright. It is also a condition that has impacted the lives of Hall of Fame football player Mike Singletary, race car drivers Al & Bobby Unser and rocker Bono.

Hearing loss didn’t keep them from important meetings with foreign delegates or even from the music they loved.

If you think you suffer from hearing loss, life doesn’t have to be a struggle. Hearing aids can often help. Many of today’s devices can also go unnoticed.

They can be so unnoticeable that even former Miss America Deidre Downs can wear them and feel confident in social situations.

“Wearing hearing aids again gave me the ability to better participate in life – school, family, and friends. Hearing aids have diminished the impact hearing loss has on my life. I finally feel like I can hear as well as a normal hearing person,” she has said.  “My friends, family and classmates no longer have to constantly repeat themselves. I don’t have to use closed captioning on TV anymore and I rarely miss pieces of conversations – even in noisy restaurants. It’s been an unbelievable life change for me, my family and my friends.” 

If you have a hearing loss, don’t let it keep you from communicating with family and friends or from participating in your life. Visit Hearing Aid Express today for a free hearing test and consultation.

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Hearing Aids Vs. Personal Sound Ampflication Products

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Remember the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?”

The thought may have crossed your mind when a late night television ad appears for a hearing device that costs only $19.95 plus shipping.

These devices are known as Personal Sound Amplification Products. They are not hearing aids.

PSAPs amplify everything including noise. Hearing aids are able to be programmed and adjusted for your unique hearing loss so that they can focus on the sounds that you are not hearing.

Over-the-counter and some mail-order hearing devices can actually cause more hearing damage because they amplify sounds you may not need amplified. The result can mean an even greater hearing loss.

To be fit for a hearing aid, a patient must first take a hearing test to determine exactly what their hearing loss is. The results of the test are used to help select the most appropriate hearing aid for your loss.  To find out if you have a hearing loss, give us a call today and set up a free hearing test and consultation.

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Adjusting to a Hearing Aid

Friday, September 26th, 2008

Adjusting to a hearing aid, for many people, may be an uncomfortable process. Louder sounds take some getting used to, but eventually adjusting to a hearing aid will be a thing of the past for you as you enjoy louder hearing.

Tips for Adjusting to a Hearing Aid

Recently the Minnesota Department of Human Services released some tips for adjusting to a hearing aid. They suggest that you start out by wearing your hearing aid just at home, taking note of the sounds you can now hear because of the new hearing aid. Next, they suggest gradually adding more sound sources. Some examples of sound sources can be the radio, TV or even a conversation. It’s important to note that this step of adjusting to a hearing aid should still happen at your home. You can extend the amount of time you wear your hearing aid gradually, so long as it feels comfortable. Remember that it’s perfectly normal to need to adjust the volume frequently, and you may even need to eventually visit your doctor or audiologist to have your hearing aid adjusted. After several weeks of adjusting to a hearing aid, rest assured that sounds should begin to feel natural.

Adjusting to a Hearing Aid Takes Time

As the saying goes, “All good things come to those who wait.” That’s certainly true for adjusting to a hearing aid. While it may take several weeks for sounds to feel natural, it will certainly be worth the wait to enjoy louder, sharper hearing from your new hearing aid.

After Adjusting to a Hearing Aid

After adjusting to a hearing aid, you’ll notice that sounds are enhanced and you can hear better. It may be surprising to you to hear things so loudly and clearly. After all, hearing loss is gradual, so you likely grew unaccustomed to sounds like background conversations and the hum of the refrigerator. One thing that’s important to remember after adjusting to a hearing aid is that a hearing aid will not completely restore your hearing.

More Help with Adjusting to a Hearing Aid

For more help with adjusting to a hearing aid and to view a section of frequently asked questions about hearing aids, be sure and visit HearingAidExpress.com. Or even if you are just researching hearing aids and aren’t sure if you need one, feel free to take our hearing self evaluation. HearingAidExpress is proud to carry a large selection of hearing aids.

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