FAQs

Not all doctors will test for hearing loss during your routine check-up. Due to the quiet nature of doctors’ offices, you may be able to hear just fine during your visit, and your doctor will not recognize any issues. A trained hearing professional will be able to determine the degree of your hearing problem.

There are three basic types of hearing loss:

• Conductive hearing loss
  • This type of hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones (ossicles) of the middle ear. It can often be treated medically or surgically. If we suspect conductive hearing loss, we will refer the patient to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor.

• Sensorineural hearing loss
  • This is the most common type of hearing loss and is the type of hearing loss we treat at Hear Again. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Most of the time, sensorineural hearing loss cannot be medically or surgically corrected and the damage is permanent.

• Mixed hearing loss
  • This type of hearing loss is a mixture of both Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss.

Treatment for these three types of hearing loss may include medicine, surgery, or hearing aids.

There are four sections to each hearing test.

• A review of personal information to discuss the different types of environments you may have trouble hearing in, work history, and exposure to loud sounds or other factors you think may be a contributor in hearing loss.
• Physical examination of the ears using an otoscope.
• Pure tone hearing screening – in this test you will be seated in a quiet environment and wear headphones connected to an audiometer. You’ll be asked to raise your hand or say “yes” when you hear specific tones, and the audiometer will emit a variety or frequencies to determine your hearing threshold and where specifically in the ear you have experienced hearing loss.
• Speech testing – you will listen to a series of words at different volumes and be asked to repeat them.

It is important to have your hearing tested regularly. Early detection of hearing loss can prevent further damage and make it easier to manage. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent loss. The longer you go without hearing certain sounds, the harder it is for your brain to comprehend them again.

Every model and brand of hearing aid has the same basic function … to amplify sound waves. There is a microphone inside the hearing aids that picks up sound waves. After the sound waves hit the microphone, a circuit translates the sound waves and sends them to the receiver, which then delivers the sound into the ear canal. The circuit is the brains of the hearing aid and is the difference between the best hearing aids and cheaper models. The circuit is what translates the signal for the user based on their settings and eliminates feedback and loud noises … the better the circuit, the better the hearing aid.

During your hearing aid fitting, a hearing aid technician will work with you to discuss your needs and the best options available to meet your needs.

We recommend switching out hearing aids every three years. Due to technological advances, there is no expiration on hearing aids, as long as you replace the batteries and get regular maintenance.

There are several different types of hearing aids:

• In-the-canal (ITC) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids
• In-the-ear (ITE) aids
• Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids
• Behind-the-ear aid: open fitting
• Receiver-in-canal aids
• Extended-wear aids
• Middle ear implants

Through advances in technology, digital hearing aids are the best hearing aids in the market. They have a chip that takes the analog sound waves and processes it to deliver a quality sound into your ear canal that is custom-tailored to your needs.

Digital hearing aids are programmable to your unique hearing needs and provide the ability for better fine-tuning and less feedback noise in your aids. There are many digital hearing aids available, but at Hear Again, we recommend Resound hearing aids. Resound technology adapts to your life, making sure you’ll be able to hear better in your favorite surroundings. Resound hearing aids can be paired with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch devices. You can stream any sound through your devices, adjust the volume, treble, bass, and much more … all without touching your hearing aids.

Hearing Aids will vary in costs, but can range between $399 to $3000 per hearing aid.

The price of a hearing aid will be determined by the brand, type, and model of aid you choose to purchase, as well as the customization options.

At Hear Again, we understand that cost is an important factor in your decision. We strive to help you get the best hearing aids for you at the best cost. We can custom fit you with the right aids within your budget and we provide free service to everyone who purchases hearing aids with us. Both of our locations offer a full-service lab to ensure quick and less expensive repairs compared to sending your aids somewhere else for repairs.

It depends. Many private insurance companies will not cover hearing aid costs, but you will have to check with your individual provider for your policy information. However, we offer several financing options because we firmly believe that everyone should be able to hear again.

At Hear Again, there is no cost for you to have an annual hearing test. We accept appointments and walk-ins. We carry over 100 hearing aids in stock at Hear Again so that you can test which hearing aid is best for you. We also offer free trials so you can rest assured in your choice for the right hearing aid. Contact us today or drop by for your free hearing test.