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Hearing Aid Sales & Services
Hearing Aid Selection
Which hearing aid is "the best" depends on a variety of factors. The degree of hearing loss, type of hearing loss, social lifestyle, previous amplification experience, dexterity, and budget are just a few of the factors considered in the selection of an appropriate hearing aid. As an independent audiology practice, the hearing aids we recommend will not be influenced by manufacturer contracts or sales incentives. We will recommend the product that is best for the patient's particular hearing loss and listening needs.
Hearing Aid Purchase Package
All new hearing aid purchases include:
60 Day Risk Free Trial Period
All hearing aids and accessories are fit with a 60 day trial period that begins upon receipt of aid(s). You will be seen back in our office for one or two follow-up visits (more if needed) after the initial fitting of the instruments in order to make any necessary fine tuning adjustment and address any of your questions or concerns. If you decide not to keep your hearing aid(s) after the 60 day trial period, you will be refunded 100% of your money.
Digital Hearing Aid Programming
Digital hearing aids have hundreds of parameters that can be adjusted to more accurately accommodate the patient's hearing needs. It is usually necessary to make several adjustments after the patient has worn the new hearing aids for a period of time – after the brain adjusts to the new sounds and the patient has been in a variety of listening situations. When a hearing aid is purchased, all programming and follow-up appointments are included in the cost of the hearing aid.
Real-ear measurements
Everyone's ears are shaped differently, which affects the way sound reaches the eardrum. We routinely utilize real-ear probe microphones to measure how much sound is actually reaching the eardrum. This allows us to program the hearing aids to a much higher degree of accuracy when compared to facilities that do not incorporate real-ear measurements.
"Real World" Listening Simulations
One common complaint from hearing aid wearers is that the hearing aids sound fine in the office, when things are quiet, but don't perform so well in the real world. To combat this problem, we've installed a surround system in our programming room which we use to present real-word sounds such as restaurant background noise. We use this system to address programming concerns as well as to demonstrate the noise reduction features of the hearing aids.Hearing Aid Maintenance & Repairs
Hearing aids need to be cleaned daily in order to ensure proper functioning and increase the life of the hearing aid. Hearing aids are electronic devices and are sensitive to moisture and debris (including ear wax and body oils).
Many hearing aid problems can be fixed in our office. We have state-of-the-art equipment at our office to verify that your hearing aid is functioning properly. We also have specialized equipment to vacuum debris from hearing aids and modify them to make them more comfortable for your ears. With a new hearing aid purchase, all office visits and office repairs are no charge for 5 years, the industry average life of hearing instruments.
Some repairs require that the instruments be sent to the manufacturer. All new hearing aids come with a manufacturer's warranty for such repairs, which is typically 2-3 years. Repair warranties can be extended through the manufacturer at an additional cost if desired.
Assistive listening & alerting devices
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) can be used to help patients function better in their daily communication situations. An ALD can be used with or without hearing aids to overcome the negative effects of distance, background noise, or poor room acoustics. Examples of ALDs include amplified telephones, wireless devices for television use, FM systems, and induction loop systems. Alerting devices are used for patients with hearing loss to signal when a sound is occurring. Examples of alerting devices include doorbell alerting devices, smoke alarm devices, baby-crying devices, and vibrating clock alarms.
