Single-sided deafness (SSD) is a condition marked by profound hearing loss in just one ear. When the loss is one-sided but more mild to moderate in nature, the condition is typically referred to as unilateral hearing loss. As you might expect, experiencing either of these hearing disorders can have a significant impact on daily living. Furthermore, both children and adults can be affected.
What Causes Single-Sided Deafness?
Sometimes, children are born with SSD. Other times, the condition happens gradually over time. There are also many cases of single-sided deafness that happen suddenly – over the course of a few days or even less.
Common causes of unilateral hearing loss or SSD include:
Use of ototoxic medications
Tumors
Infections
Diseases such as Lyme or Meniere’s Disease
Head trauma
… And more
When the onset of single-sided deafness is sudden, it’s important to seek help right away. That’s because some of the causes of SSD are actually treatable. When addressed early enough by an expert hearing professional, hearing loss can sometimes be reversed. If left untreated, however, the damage can be permanent.
How to Deal With Single-Sided Deafness in Everyday Life
For those who have a permanent case of SSD, it’s important to learn how to effectively cope with the condition. Follow these tips to live life to the fullest, even with unilateral hearing loss.
1. Be open with others about your single-sided deafness.
The truth is, most people want to help but they can’t if they don’t know what you’re dealing with. Don’t be afraid to tell friends, family members, co-workers, and even strangers that you have a deaf ear. Once they know about your condition, it’ll be much easier to avoid awkward situations that could arise if they don’t know.
2. Talk freely about how others can help you cope.
Many people living with single-sided deafness have found ways to adapt to their hearing loss. They automatically sit where others can face their ‘good’ ear. Or, they position themselves in front of a speaker so it’s easier to read lips. Share these adaptations with others and be up front about what they can do to help you. Most people are more than willing to speak clearly, sit or stand on your ‘good’ side, or do whatever it takes to help you hear better. They simply need to know what’s required of them.
3. Use body language to remind others of your single-sided deafness.
Many people won’t know you have SSD simply by looking at you. And even if they do know, it’s easy to forget unless they’re around you every single day. Simple non-verbal cues, like cupping your ear or leaning into a conversation, can help them remember and act accordingly.
4. Learn to accept your single-sided deafness.
If you haven’t fully come to terms with your unilateral hearing loss yourself, it can make it uncomfortable for those around you. On the other hand, they’ll be more at ease if you’ve accepted your condition and are open about it. Sometimes even embracing a little humor can break down barriers and make the situation easier for everyone involved.
5. Practice good communication skills.
Conversations can be awkward if you’re constantly interrupting others to get them to repeat what they’ve said. Instead, try to understand what you can and only interrupt when it’s absolutely necessary. It can also be very helpful to ask for a pause in the conversation so you can relay to the other party what you think you’ve heard. You’ll be able to check your understanding and they’ll have a reminder of what’s needed to communicate clearly with you.
6. Get appropriate hearing loss treatment.
Whether your single-sided deafness happens suddenly or gradually over time, it’s important to work closely with an audiologist or other hearing professional to get the care you need and deserve. If your hearing loss is permanent, there may be hearing aids that can help you hear better, even if they don’t return your hearing to normal levels.
Expert Hearing Health Services in Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ
At Advanced Hearing Group, we’re committed to helping people hear better so they can enjoy life to the fullest. That’s why we offer a variety of hearing-related services at Mesa and Scottsdale offices. Simply schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists today. We’ll conduct a thorough hearing evaluation, make recommendations for appropriate treatment, and get you on the road to hearing better as soon as possible!
As 2022 fades into our rear view mirror and we head deeper into 2023, it’s time to look at hearing aid trends that could affect you or a loved one if you have hearing loss. Today, we’re going to take you through 4 major trends we expect to see throughout this year and perhaps even beyond.
Watch for These Hearing Aid Trends in 2023
1. Increased Talk About and Usage of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
In 2017, Congress passed bipartisan legislation that gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) license to create a category of over-the-counter hearing aids. Due to delays caused by the pandemic, it wasn’t until the summer of 2022 that the FDA’s rules regarding use and sale of OTC hearing aids were announced. Then, over-the-counter hearing aids began to hit retail store shelves in October of 2022. Hearing aid trends for 2023 point to OTC hearing aids becoming more popular, at least initially.
Pros of OTC hearing aids:
These devices, including the new Sony CRE-C10 self-fitting OTC hearing aids, are readily available to most consumers. No prescription or hearing test is required in order to purchase them so the prevailing thought is that hearing loss treatment is more accessible.
OTC hearing aids are priced around $700-$1,400 per set. That makes them significantly cheaper up front than prescription hearing aids that typically cost several thousands of dollars.
Cons of OTC hearing aids:
Current over-the-counter hearing aids are only designed for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
Most people underestimate how great their hearing loss actually is. Without a hearing test, they may purchase OTC devices only to find that they don’t actually help them hear better.
Some OTC hearing aids only have a manufacturer warranty of 1 year. Therefore, patients may find themselves having to purchase another set within 1-2 years and actually spending more money than if they had gone with prescription hearing aids.
As the use of OTC hearing aids increases and their novelty wears off, time will tell whether or not these devices will help hearing loss treatment as much as lawmakers have hoped.
2. More Third Party Administration (TPA) for Hearing Aid Coverage
Insurance coverage for hearing aids has long been a hot topic, especially for individuals with Medicare. While federal Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids, it does cover diagnostic hearing testing every year.
Third parties such as TruHearing, Hearing Care Solutions, and United Healthcare Hearing, however, are offering at least partial coverage for hearing aids. Some of these entities will provide actual money toward hearing aid copays. Others offer hearing aids at a discounted price. It’s worth noting, however, that these so-called discounts often limit which hearing aids are covered and what types of related services are covered as well.
The bottom line is that you need to become as familiar as possible with your insurance benefits if you have hearing loss. First, ask your hearing healthcare provider if they accept your health insurance plan. Then, verify your benefits. Don’t be afraid to ask your audiologist to explain some of those benefits to you, especially if you don’t understand the coverage or potential discounts available.
3. A Variety of Business Models to Help Consumers Pay for Hearing Aids and Related Services
The cost of hearing aids has long been a factor that significantly impacts how and when patients can afford to purchase devices to improve their hearing. Hearing aids trends for 2023 point to hearing healthcare providers offering more payment options in an effort to increase hearing aid affordability and usability.
Here are the most common ways to pay for hearing aids:
1. Bundled service package
A bundled service package includes the cost of the hearing aids themselves along with cleaning, adjustments, and other services for the devices’ lifetime.
Pros of a bundled hearing aid service package:
Costs are paid up front so there are fewer bills (if any) incurred during the life of the device.
Patients are less likely to delay necessary adjustments or maintenance since they won’t have to pay extra for scheduling service.
Even though the cost of a bundled plan is more up front, patients that keep their devices for several years often end up saving money in the long term.
Cons of a bundled hearing aid service package:
Patients must pay a larger expense up front instead of budgeting the cost out over several months or years.
There may be additional costs incurred if the hearing aids need to be returned to the manufacturer for repairs after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.
2. Limited time service
Some hearing aid providers offer services based strictly on the manufacturer’s warranty period. For example, if the manufacturer has a warranty for one year, services such as hearing aid cleaning and adjustments may be covered only during this period.
This may be sufficient for hearing aid users who change out their devices frequently or every couple of years. For those who really love their hearing aids and want to keep them for the device’s full lifetime, they may risk not having some services covered with this type of plan.
3. Unbundled hearing aid service
Some hearing health providers offer hearing aid purchase and maintenance a la carte, meaning that the cost for each is handled and paid separately.
Pros of unbundled hearing aid service:
Patients save money up front because they are not pre-paying for service.
Costs for hearing aid services are spread out.
Long time hearing aid users may save money if they already know how to handle some common hearing aid problems themselves.
Hearing aid wearers who frequently travel or have multiple homes have the freedom to go to multiple providers for service.
Cons of unbundled hearing aid service:
New hearing aid users need to be seen more frequently in the early stages of hearing aid use. They may not save money and may even spend more than they would with a bundled service plan.
Individuals who are not tech savvy may not be able to figure out hearing aid problems on their own. They may delay necessary service in an effort to save money but their hearing could suffer.
4. Leasing hearing aids
While this option has been around for a while, it’s one of the hearing aid trends that we expect to see increase in popularity this year. Hearing aid leasing is just what it sounds like – making monthly payments over a set time period to pay for hearing aids. At the end of the lease term (typically 3-4 years), patients have the choice of buying out the lease or trading the devices in for a newer model.
Pros of leasing hearing aids:
Patients do not have to come up with a large sum of money up front in order to start using hearing aids.
Monthly payments may be easier for individuals with a set income (such as retirees) or those who prefer the predictability of the monthly cost.
This is a great option for people who like to trade in their hearing aids frequently in order to have the latest and greatest technology.
Cons of leasing hearing aids:
Depending on how long the lease term is, the manufacturer’s loss and damage warranty may run out before the lease is up.
Similar to leasing a car, this option costs more money over the long term.
4. Increased Popularity of Extended Wear Hearing Aids
Most hearing aid wearers are used to putting their devices in their ears at the beginning of the day and then removing them at bedtime. One of the hearing aid trends we see increasing for 2023, however, is the use of extended wear hearing aids such as the FDA-approved Lyric devices.
Implanted in the ear canal, these hearing aids stay in all the time – while you’re sleeping, showering, etc. They are implanted by a qualified professional and then changed out approximately every two months.
Pros of extended wear hearing aids:
These devices are a great option for people who are concerned about the look of hearing aids as they are very small and hidden within the ear canal.
Since they don’t have to be removed multiple times daily, individuals with fine motor challenges may find extended wear hearing aids helpful.
These devices do not come with Bluetooth or ear to ear communication capabilities.
Looking At Current Hearing Aid Trends and Beyond
The bottom line is that many of the hearing aid options mentioned above have been available to consumers for quite some time. We expect to see each of these hearing aid trends to increase in 2023, however, along with an increased focus on giving patients more control over their hearing healthcare.
At Advanced Hearing Group, our mission is to provide a wide variety of top quality hearing healthcare services so that individuals with hearing loss can hear better and live life to the fullest. From custom hearing protection and high quality hearing aids to hearing tests, professional earwax removal, and more, we invite you to schedule an appointment at our Mesa or Scottsdale locations to learn more today!
In recent months, the hearing healthcare world and news media have been abuzz with information about over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids like the new Sony CRE-C10 OTC hearing aids. While not hearing the buzz could mean you need hearing aids yourself, there’s also a chance that you simply don’t know what over-the-counter hearing aids are all about. Whichever the case may be, we can help!
At Advanced Hearing Group, we are committed to helping people of all ages and walks of life hear better. And when new hearing technology becomes available, we’re anxious to learn more about it ourselves so we can help our clients make the best decisions about their own hearing health. Today, we’re going to break down what over-the-counter hearing aids are and evaluate the pros and cons of the new Sony CRE-C10 OTC hearing aids.
What Are Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids?
You’re probably very familiar with over-the-counter medications – drugs that can be purchased at your local pharmacy or retail store without a doctor’s prescription. Over-the-counter hearing aids work in a similar fashion. No prescription or hearing test is required to buy OTC hearing aids either locally or online.
In 2017, bipartisan hearing aid legislation was passed by Congress in an effort to make hearing loss treatment more readily available and accessible to everyone. However, it wasn’t until August of 2022 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its guidelines regarding the implementation of this legislation. Now, we’re beginning to see over-the-counter hearing devices like the Sony CRE-C10s hit retail shelves, and it’s time to see exactly how beneficial they will be.
Pros and Cons of the Sony CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids
Rather than relying on the news media or someone’s personal opinion of these new devices, we decided to put them to the test ourselves. One of our audiologists, Dr. Gary Johnson, did a complete unboxing of the Sony CRE-C10 Self-Fitting OTC hearing aids. Watch the full video below or keep reading to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages he discovered.
Pros of the Sony CRE-C10 OTC Hearing Aids:
Packaging – These devices come in an aesthetically pleasing package that clearly shows what’s inside.
Carrying case – A hard carrying case is included. While most people with hearing loss wear their hearing aids all day long, this case can come in handy for protecting your devices when you do need to take them out.
Markings – Each of the hearing aids in the set is marked ‘right’ or ‘left.’ This makes it easy to get the right hearing aid in the correct ear.
Fitting sleeves – A couple of different fitting sleeves are included in the package so the hearing aids can be adjusted to improve comfort based on ear canal size.
Instructions – A complete user guide with instructions on how to use the devices as well as how to set up the hearing aid app is included.
Cleaning tools – A cleaning cloth and cleaning brush are provided to help with hearing aid maintenance.
Cost – The Sony CRE-C10 OTC hearing aids are currently sold for approximately $1,000 per set, a significant difference from prescription hearing aids that typically cost several thousands of dollars.
Cons of the Sony CRE-C10 OTC Hearing Aids:
Size – These devices are not as discreet as some prescription hearing aids, especially for individuals with small ear canals.
Connectivity – While the Sony CRE-C10s do have bluetooth technology that enables them to connect to the set-up app, they aren’t able to connect to other bluetooth-enabled devices for audio streaming.
Hearing test – During the set-up process, the user goes through a simplified hearing test to help identify preferred settings. However, this is not as detailed and thorough as a hearing test with an audiologist or other hearing professional.
SONY CRE-C10 Self-Fit Hearing Aids vs. Prescription Hearing Aids
With all of the pros listed above, how do over-the-counter hearing aids such as the Sony CRE-C10s compare to traditional hearing aids prescribed by our audiologists? That’s exactly what Dr. Gary evaluated during this exercise. After unboxing the devices, the hearing aids were set up on a real patient and then compared to that patient’s prescription hearing aids.
Using real ear measurement, Dr. Gary was able to measure the output of each set of hearing aids inside the ear canal. Here’s what he discovered …
When compared to the Sony CRE-C10 OTC hearing aids, prescription hearing aids:
Provided a better fit inside the ear canal.
Were more closely programmed to the patient’s specific type and severity of hearing loss.
Offered better sharpness and clarity.
Showed better hearing capability.
Are Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Worth the Money?
While the Sony CRE-C10 OTC hearing aids didn’t perform as highly as prescription hearing aids in terms of helping our patient hear better, their relatively low cost could make hearing loss treatment more affordable and accessible for some people.
It should be noted, however, that all OTC hearing aids are meant for only those people who have mild to moderate hearing loss. Additionally, while these devices offer some short term advantages (i.e. upfront money savings), they may not offer enough long term benefits to justify the cost. In fact, Dr. Gary estimates that many people who start out with OTC hearing aids will end up turning to prescription devices within a year.
Given the information above, you may be able to make a decision about what’s best for your own hearing health. If you have questions or concerns, however, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with an audiologist. After all, your hearing is vital to your health and when you can hear better, you can often live better, too!
If you’ve scheduled an earwax removal appointment at your local audiologist’s office, it might be helpful to know what to expect during your visit. After all, the more you know in advance, the more relaxed you’ll be and the easier it can be for your doctor to do the job!
First, it’s important to remember that earwax plays an important role in ear health. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about here … everyone has it! Next, it’s important to know why professional earwax removal is recommended instead of trying to remove a wax buildup yourself.
Many people never need to even be concerned about earwax removal. Their bodies create the right amount of earwax and the wax is just the right consistency. It traps sloughed skin cells and other debris and makes its way out of the ear canal all on its own.
Some people, however, are over-producers, meaning their bodies create more earwax than is necessary. Others have earwax that’s sticky and clumps easily. Excessive amounts of wax and wax with a sticky consistency can both lead to earwax buildups.
While some people attempt DIY earwax removal, we don’t recommend it. That’s because most people don’t have the knowledge or tools to safely and effectively remove an earwax buildup. Instead, their efforts tend to push the wax further into the ear and can even cause damage to delicate ear parts.
In general, you should seek the help of a hearing professional if you:
Experience ear pain or discomfort
Have itchy ears, feel pressure, or experience a feeling of fullness inside your ears
Notice hearing loss or tinnitus that you didn’t previously have
These are common signs that you may need to schedule a professional earwax removal appointment. If an earwax buildup is not the cause of your pain, discomfort, or hearing loss, a hearing professional can recommend further testing or evaluation to get to the root of the problem.
How long does the average earwax removal appointment take?
When you arrive for your appointment and are taken to the appropriate treatment room, you’ll have the opportunity to explain your symptoms to the audiologist or other hearing professional. If you’re not already a regular patient, they will also want to know about your medical and health history.
Then, the audiologist will perform a visual examination with an otoscope to determine whether an earwax buildup is, in fact, present. If it is, they will then decide upon the appropriate wax removal method for your specific situation.
For most patients, an earwax removal appointment takes between 15 and 30 minutes. With larger buildups, treatment may require a longer time frame and multiple methods. On the other hand, if it’s only a small buildup and/or you’ve had removal done before, your appointment could be finished in as little as 15 minutes.
How is an earwax buildup removed by an audiologist?
Now that you know when professional earwax removal is necessary and how long it takes, let’s talk about how it’s actually done. In general, there are two primary earwax removal methods:
Manual method: A small tool called a curette is used to scoop earwax out of the ear canal. Alternatively, your doctor may use suction or forceps to remove the buildup. A video otoscope gives your doctor an inside look at the ear canal so he/she can see what they’re doing and how much wax is left.
Irrigation method: Yep, this is just what it sounds like! The irrigation method entails using a water-filled syringe to gently soften and flush out the impacted earwax.
Sometimes, both earwax removal methods are warranted during the same appointment. It all depends on the size of buildup and the consistency of the wax. Want to know exactly what professional earwax removal looks like before you go? Check out this video of 10 different earwax extractions …
What happens after an earwax removal appointment?
The good news is that once your earwax removal appointment is finished, you can go back to everyday life as you know it. Many of our clients report being able to hear better once the wax buildup has been removed. They often experience less ear pain and discomfort as well. Just be sure that you don’t return to old habits of using Q-tips or other objects to clean your ears.
The less exciting news is that if you’re prone to having too much earwax, or your earwax is of the consistency that promotes buildups, you’ll likely need another earwax removal appointment in the not-so-distant future. While this may feel like an inconvenience, remember that keeping your ears clean and free of debris is important for your hearing health.
Professional earwax removal services in Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ
At Advanced Hearing Group, we are committed to providing expert hearing healthcare services so that people can hear well and live well. With offices in both Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ, our audiologists are able to help clients from all over the greater Phoenix area including Gilbert, Tempe, Queen Creek, Chandler, and more.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms associated with an earwax buildup, please contact us today to schedule an earwax removal appointment. We are often able to accommodate same-day or next-day appointments so you can be back to feeling better as soon as possible!
Hearing loss in the workplace could be more common than you think. While there has been a steady increase in desk-type jobs due to technology-related careers in recent years, there are still a wide variety of occupations where daily exposure to loud noise is a common occurrence.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
What one person considers to be ‘too loud’ could be totally different than the next. According to NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, however, ‘too loud’ equates to being exposed to sounds above 85 decibels over 8 continuous hours.
This perfectly describes workplace conditions for people such as musicians, building contractors, construction workers, and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 40 million Americans have noise-induced hearing loss. While not all of these cases can be attributed to occupational noise hazards, it’s still a good idea to learn how hearing loss in the workplace can be prevented or managed.
Support – Encourage early hearing loss diagnosis and treatment and offer corporate health plans that support hearing healthcare.
Hearing Loss In the Workplace: Management and Accommodations
We’ve talked about what happens when employees are exposed to loud noises on a daily basis for multiple hours per day. But what happens if you already have hearing loss that was caused by something else?
For individuals who already have hearing loss, there are steps you can take to make hearing loss in the workplace something that doesn’t interfere with your job satisfaction or productivity.
How to Manage Hearing Loss In the Workplace
Be open about your hearing loss. If your boss or coworkers don’t already know that you’re hard of hearing, tell them! It’s nothing to be ashamed of. And, if others know that you don’t hear well, they’ll usually be more than willing to communicate with you in a way that works for you.
Get hearing loss treatment. Living with untreated hearing loss hurts you and those around you. If you suspect you have hearing loss, get your hearing tested. Even a mild loss can affect your day to day activities and mar your productivity at work. An audiologist or other hearing professional will be able to accurately diagnose your hearing loss and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Ask for adjustments to your work area. There are plenty of reasonable accommodations that your employer can make to help you hear better and even increase your effectiveness at work. Perhaps your work area can be moved to a quieter area of the building. Or, maybe a telephone that’s Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) will help you answer phone calls and communicate more effectively. Neither of these options cost a lot of money. They may even save your employer money if your productivity increases as a result of these simple workplace modifications.
Wear appropriate hearing protection. It’s important to remember that even if you’ve already lost part of your hearing, that doesn’t mean you can’t lose more. That’s why hearing loss prevention still applies to you. If your work or recreation repeatedly exposes you to loud noises, wear hearing protection as needed to prevent further hearing damage.
Monitor Hearing Health on a Regular Basis
Whether you’ve already experienced hearing loss in the workplace or you’re trying to prevent it, your hearing health should be monitored at regular intervals. Just like a yearly physical with your primary care doctor can help catch or prevent some illnesses, periodic hearing testing can help identify hearing changes early.
At Advanced Hearing Group, our Mesa and Scottsdale audiologists are committed to helping you hear better, whether that’s at work, at home, or anywhere else. Schedule an appointment with us today to manage your hearing health, get a hearing test, learn more about hearing loss, or receive hearing loss treatment.
If you’re one of the many Americans who’ve been diagnosed with a hearing impairment, learning how to manage your hearing loss can help improve your quality of life. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 37.5 million Americans over the age of 18 report trouble hearing. So if you haven’t experienced hearing loss yet, there’s a good chance you will at some point in your life.
But how exactly do you manage your hearing loss so that it doesn’t interfere with everyday living? That’s a good question and we have a few tips to help you along your hearing loss journey.
How to Effectively Manage Your Hearing Loss
1. Expect that it will take time to adjust to your hearing aids.
If hearing aids are prescribed as part of your hearing loss treatment plan, give yourself time to get used to them. Your brain will need time to adjust to hearing noises that it hasn’t had to process in quite a while!
2. Be diligent about wearing your hearing aids.
It might sound obvious but you actually have to wear your hearing aids in order to reap the benefits of having them! In order to manage your hearing loss effectively, you’ll also want to keep spare hearing aid batteries on hand so they can easily be replaced when they give out.
3. Don’t be afraid to tell others that you have hearing loss.
You may find it easier to manage your hearing loss if others actually know about it. Simply being aware of the situation can make them communicate more clearly and may even prevent you from having to ask others to repeat themselves.
4. Use other devices WITH your hearing aids to help you hear even better.
Choosing the right hearing aids for your type and severity of hearing loss is one of the most important ways to manage your hearing loss. Hearing aids aren’t the only tools at your disposal, however. There are other pieces of technology such as TTY telephones that can make your hearing experience even easier when used in conjunction with your hearing aids.
5. Wear appropriate hearing protection when needed.
Sure, you won’t be able to undo the hearing loss you already have. But, it is possible to limit your daily noise exposure or wear appropriate hearing protection when loud sounds are unavoidable. These simple actions may enable you to prevent further hearing damage.
6. Schedule hearing aid repair and maintenance when required.
Hearing aids have delicate parts that can easily become damaged or affected by dirt, debris, and even too much earwax. Regular cleaning and maintenance can keep your devices working effectively. And, even the best hearing aids may need repair now and then. If your hearing aids can’t be fixed by replacing the batteries or with a simple cleaning, you can schedule hearing aid repair at our Mesa or Scottsdale offices.
7. Visit your audiologist for regular hearing evaluations.
One of the best ways to manage your hearing loss is to ensure that the hearing aids you have are actually meeting your current hearing needs. Since your hearing can change over time, it’s a good idea to schedule regular hearing tests and evaluations with your audiologist. In order to continue to hear well, you may need minor adjustments to the hearing aids you already have or you may need to eventually get different devices altogether.
Manage Your Hearing Loss With the Mesa and Scottsdale Hearing Experts
The good news is that you don’t have to manage your hearing loss alone. At Advanced Hearing Group, our audiologists and staff are well equipped to help you hear better now and in the future.
From hearing aid fittings, repair and maintenance to custom hearing protection and more, we offer a variety of services to meet your hearing healthcare needs. Simply schedule an appointment with us today and we’ll help you get started on the road to better hearing!
Over-the-counter hearing aids, more commonly referred to as OTC hearing aids, have been getting a lot of press lately. That’s because bipartisan hearing aid legislation passed by Congress back in 2017 is finally coming to fruition.
In the 2017 bill passed by Congress, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was required to create a category of over-the-counter hearing aids. While this sounds simple on paper, it took several years for the FDA to gather all the necessary information to be able to implement this change in the best way possible. And, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic certainly helped to stall progress along the way.
In August 2022, however, the FDA finally released its rules regarding the implementation of the OTC hearing aid legislation. With the rules clarified and in place, OTC hearing aids may be hitting retail store shelves by mid-October. Now, let’s take a closer look at what these hearing devices could mean for people with hearing loss.
What Are the Pros and Cons of OTC Hearing Aids?
Similar to how over-the-counter drugs can be purchased without a prescription, OTC hearing aids will be able to be obtained without a doctor’s visit, hearing test, or a prescription. This is the equivalent of being able to get reading glasses at a drugstore without a prescription, a visit to the ophthalmologist, or a vision test.
While the over-the-counter hearing aid legislation is generally considered positive, there are some important pros and cons to consider before deciding to purchase OTC hearing aids yourself.
Pros of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
These hearing devices will beeasily obtainable – There is no hearing test, doctor’s visit, or prescription required for purchase.
Higher potential for early hearing loss treatment – Without needing medical intervention to get OTC hearing aids, some people may choose to treat their hearing loss earlier than they would have otherwise.
Lower cost – While the actual cost of OTC hearing aids remains to be seen, it is anticipated that they will be cheaper than hearing aids obtained through a hearing professional. This is partly due to the fact that these are self-fit devices.
Cons of Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Potential for lower satisfaction – Hearing aids that aren’t fitted properly or adjusted by a hearing healthcare professional may not be as effective for improving hearing. This has already shown to be true with the over-the-counter amplifier and mail-order hearing aid markets.
Age restrictions – According to FDA labeling, OTC hearing aids are only meant for individuals over 18 years of age. This excludes younger children who suffer from hearing loss and are often misdiagnosed or untreated.
Hearing loss type and severity – Over-the-counter hearing aids are designed for individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and may not be appropriate for every type of hearing loss.
Contraindications – OTC hearing aids should NOT be used by individuals with tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, one-sided hearing loss, or moderately severe to profound hearing loss.
Can Anyone Use OTC Hearing Aids?
As mentioned above, over-the-counter hearing aids are NOT meant for everyone. Per the FDA, they are specifically designed for individuals over the age of 18 who have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
Visit Your Hearing Aid Specialists In Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ
It’s important to realize that the intentions behind the OTC hearing aid legislation are good:
To reduce hearing aid cost
To improve access to hearing aids for more Americans
To encourage earlier hearing loss treatment
However, whether these goals will be realized remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the audiologists and staff at Advanced Hearing Group are here to help you with all of your hearing healthcare needs. From hearing tests and thorough hearing evaluations to custom hearing protection, and hearing aid fittings, we are committed to helping you hear better for life. Simply schedule an appointment with us today, and we’ll help you get started on the road to better hearing!
If you’ve made the decision to purchase and wear hearing aids as part of your hearing loss treatment, the last thing you want is hearing aid problems. After all, hearing aids are typically a significant financial investment in your hearing health and you want them to work as intended … to help you hear better!
What causes hearing aid problems, then, and how can these issues be rectified?
In reality, most hearing aid problems can be traced back to one cause – improper set up or fitting. Yes, there are some issues that arise due to lack of hearing aid maintenance. And, it’s not uncommon to need hearing aid repair from time to time, especially as the devices get older. However, the majority of hearing aid issues can actually be prevented by purchasing your hearing aids from, and getting the devices fitted by, a qualified hearing professional.
How to Prevent Hearing Aid Problems
Even the best hearing aids in the world won’t be useful if they’re not properly set up and fitted to the user. You can prevent many hearing aid problems down the road by following these simple steps:
Choose the right hearing professional. Not every hearing professional is qualified to sell and fit hearing aids. Audiologists are highly-trained hearing professionals that have a Doctor of Audiology degree and are often your best source for hearing aid information and fitting. Ask friends or family members who already have hearing aids if they would recommend their own audiologist to you. Or, check out online reviews of audiologists in your area to find one that could meet your needs.
Get the best hearing aids for your type of hearing loss. According to the World Health Organization, “a person is said to have hearing loss if they are not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing, meaning hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears.” That being said, there are different types of hearing loss and types of hearing aids recommended for each. Make sure your hearing aids are designed to work with your type of hearing loss.
Make sure your hearing aids are fitted properly. Even the best hearing aids provided by the best audiologist won’t work as intended if they’re not set up and fitted properly for your ears. A thorough hearing aid fitting should include making sure the chosen hearing aids physically fit properly inside the ears. It should also include determining the appropriate sound setting for your type and severity of hearing loss. Then, measurements should be taken to verify that the sound you hear when wearing the hearing aids is at the correct level.
The NOW Program – Try Hearing Aids For FREE Before You Buy!
At Advanced Hearing Group, we know that getting the right hearing aids is a critical part of being able to hear better. We also realize that purchasing these devices can be an important financial decision. That’s why we offer the NOW Program – the ultimate try-before-you-buy solution.
How does it work? Start by working with our audiologists to determine the best hearing aids to meet your needs. Then, once you are fitted with the appropriate devices, you get to try them out for FREE for 2 weeks. There is no down payment required and absolutely no obligation or pressure to buy.
Proper fitting by our audiologists and then getting to try out a pair of hearing aids before purchasing them typically helps our patients avoid most hearing aid problems. If problems do occur at any time, however, we offer hearing aid repair and maintenance services at our Mesa and Scottsdale locations.
Schedule an appointment with our hearing professionals today and we’ll help you get on the road toward better hearing!
If you’ve already made the decision to buy hearing aids, you’ve made a significant investment in your hearing health. Now it’s time to learn how to keep your hearing aids working properly so you can protect your investment. Today, we’ll look at some easy ways to care for your hearing devices so they’ll serve you well for many more years to come.
7 Tips to Keep Your Hearing Aids Working Properly
1. Treat your hearing aids with care.
Today’s hearing aids are technology marvels. They’re made up of many tiny parts that all work together to help you hear better. With that in mind, it’s important to handle them with care, just like you would your smartphone or other piece of technology. When you handle them gently, it’s more likely you’ll be able to keep your hearing aids working properly for as long as possible.
2. Turn your hearing aids off when not in use.
To maximize their effectiveness, you’ll want to wear your hearing aids as much as possible. There are a few times when it’ll be necessary to take them out, however. For example, when you go swimming, go to bed for the night, or take a nap. You can make your hearing aids and their batteries last longer by turning the devices off when not in use.
3. Store your hearing aids in a safe place.
When you do take them out and turn them off, keep your hearing aids safely tucked away inside their case. This will keep them protected from dust, moisture, debris, and little children who might find them fascinating.
4. Keep your hearing aids away from moisture.
Water is one of your hearing aids’ biggest enemies. If you want to keep your hearing aids working properly, it’s essential that you protect them from moisture. Take them out and store them safely whenever you’re planning to be around water, such as swimming, boating, etc. If your hearing aids do get exposed to moisture, pat them dry as gently as possible. There are also hearing aid dehumidifiers that can be useful if you’re regularly in humid environments.
5. Change the batteries at regular intervals.
In order to keep your hearing aids working properly, they need energy to operate. That’s where hearing aid batteries come in. How long the batteries last depends on several factors including:
The type of hearing aids you have
How often the hearing aids are used
How much streaming is done via Bluetooth
It’s a good idea to keep extra batteries with you at home and when you travel, especially if you’re planning a vacation where you’ll be away for several days or more.
6. Get your hearing aids cleaned.
Remember those little parts inside your hearing aids we mentioned earlier? Dirt, debris, and even an earwax buildup can interfere with how well they work. Keep your hearing aids working properly by keeping them clean. The next time you visit your audiologist, be sure to ask them exactly how you should clean your hearing aids and how frequently it should be done.
7. Have your hearing aids periodically checked and adjusted as needed.
Speaking of audiologists, this brings us to the last tip. If you notice that your hearing aids aren’t helping you hear as well as they once did and none of the tips above have helped, schedule an appointment with your audiologist. It’s possible that your hearing devices simply need an adjustment. Eventually, you may need to get new hearing aids altogether. But, many times all that’s needed is a small change and you’ll be back to hearing well.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Working Properly With Hearing Aid Repair and Maintenance
At Advanced Hearing Group, our mission is to help you find the best hearing aids that will meet your needs, match your lifestyle, and fit within your budget. Once that’s done, we continue working with you to help you keep your hearing aids working properly for as long as you have them. Oftentimes, following the tips above is all that’s needed. Other times, hearing aid repair or maintenanceis needed and we can help with that at our Mesa or Scottsdale locations.
If you have questions about hearing aid care, need a hearing test, or want to take advantage of any of the hearing services we provide, simply contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists.
Childhood hearing loss is more common than you might think, affecting 15% of children ages 6 to 19, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet, it’s often confused with learning disabilities in school age children. Why is this the case, how does hearing loss affect children in school, and what can be done about it? These are all questions we’ll take a look at today.
Learning Disability vs. Hearing Loss – A Misdiagnosis Can Lead to Learning Problems
A child with hearing loss can exhibit symptoms that mimic those of someone with a learning disability. For example, they may appear to not be paying attention to the teacher, fall behind on their school work, and even act out with inappropriate behavior.
Children with a diagnosed learning disability often benefit from classroom accommodations that can help. For example, they may be given extra time to complete assignments, be provided with after school tutoring if further instruction is needed, or they may be seated at the front of the classroom to limit distractions and help increase focus. If the child actually has hearing loss, not a learning disability, these treatments may or may not help. Rather, the child may continue to act out behaviorally or fall further behind in their work.
How Childhood Hearing Loss Affects Performance In School
Childhood hearing loss that goes untreated can have a significant impact on a child’s performance and development both inside and outside of school. When ignored or misdiagnosed, childhood hearing loss can lead to:
Speech and language delays
Difficulty learning
Impaired social interactions
Slower social maturing
Delayed speech and language development is huge as it affects a child’s ability to comprehend written and spoken words. It also impacts their ability to communicate with others. This then leads to difficulty learning and keeping up with peers in the same classroom. When a child doesn’t understand what’s being taught, they don’t always know why and they don’t know to ask for help. Instead, they may disengage from lessons or even misbehave. If they don’t know otherwise, teachers may assume this is a form of learning disability or behavior problem when the problem is actually childhood hearing loss.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Hearing Loss Is Essential
Much of how we grow and progress later in life stems from how we learn and develop as a child. Therefore, it’s critical to provide children every chance at success during the early years. That includes correctly identifying and treating childhood learning and development problems as well as hearing loss.
Inability to answer questions or the child responds inappropriately
Lack of focus
Child appears to be daydreaming or lost in their own little world
Since some of these signs can also indicate other conditions such as a learning disability, Autism, or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), it’s important that appropriate testing is done to determine the exact problem.
Treatment of and classroom accommodations for childhood hearing loss can include:
Written instructions to accompany oral directions given
Teacher accommodations – speaking clearly and facing the class
Physical accommodations – a seat for the child at the front of the classroom
If you suspect that your child has hearing loss, we recommend a thorough hearing evaluation by one of our Mesa or Scottsdale audiologists as soon as possible. The sooner your child receives an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the better equipped they will be for success. Simply give us a call to schedule an appointment today!
