HEARING LOSS
I think I may need hearing aids-what should I do?
The first step should be a comprehensive evaluation performed by a
licensed Audiologist. The "free tests" frequently offered at
health fairs, small clinics, etc. are only screenings. They are not very
accurate, are commonly done by less qualified individuals and are not
extensive enough to fully assess your hearing status and reasons for
hearing loss.
Could my hearing loss only be due to wax build-up?
It is possible. Your audiologist will look deep in the ear canal using the
appropriate instruments and assess the need for wax removal.
I very suddenly lost my hearing. What should I do?
Pick up the phone and call us, or your primary doctor, RIGHT AWAY!!
Sudden
hearing loss needs to be medically evaluated and treated right away.
I've been told that I have nerve deafness? Can hearing aids help
that?
Absolutely. Over 95% of our patients have nerve-type (sensori-neural)
hearing loss; we utilize appropriate hearing aid technology to yield
remarkable improvements! Since each hearing loss is unique, your
Audiologist will discuss your expectations after the hearing evaluation is
completed.
HEARING AIDS
Do hearing aids use batteries?
Yes, all hearing aids need batteries to work. Some use rechargeable
batteries and the hearing aids need to be placed in a box that charges
them overnight. Most hearing aids use small 'button-type' batteries that
need to be replaced every 1-3 weeks (depending on size, power, etc.). We
are pleased to offer our patients the highest quality hearing aid
batteries at no charge for the life of their hearing
aids!* *Some exclusions may apply.
What are "digital" hearing aids?
Digital means that a computer chip performs arithmetic
calculations to change the sound before it's amplified. Unfortunately, the
word 'digital' is often meaningless: many 'digital' hearing aids can have
poor sound quality. Many 'digitals' are not even computer adjustable! Good
digital hearing aids utilize high-fidelity components and offer features
that can reduce background noise, automatically adjust volume for
different sounds, and ultimately, help the patient get a high level of
hearing performance in speech understanding.
Do you have 'invisible', 'completely-in-the-ear-canal' hearing
aids?
We dispense all types of hearing aids, including Completely-In-the-Canal
(CIC). Everyone's hearing is unique and, consequently, what may be an
appropriate hearing aid choice for one person is completely inappropriate
for another. Hearing aids should be chosen for how they will perform, not
just how they look. Most patients have many choices, including CICs and
the Audiologist will explain how they relate to your hearing loss and
which will give you the best results.
What hearing aid makes/brands do you have?
As an independent practice, Pittsburgh Audiology & Hearing Aid Center,
Inc. is not exclusive to one brand of hearing aids. Unlike large
franchised chains that carry only one brand, we are proud to be able to
offer our patients a selection of over 10 of the best manufacturers. This
ensures that the best technology, style and features can be found at the
lowest cost.
Some of the manufacturers whose hearing aids we dispense include: Lyric, ReSound, Phonak, Starkey, Omni, Sonic Innovations, Oticon, Siemens, Rexton, AVR
Sonovations, Unitron, Bernafon and many others not listed. We only select
quality products at all price levels.
Do you make hearing aids at your offices?
No. We strongly believe that patients are best served by quality products
manufactured by major hearing aid companies. Even though it would be easy
to assemble hearing aid parts in our lab (at a cost savings of $100 to
$400), the resulting quality of the hearing aid and shell is
compromised. Hearing aid manufacturers spend tens of millions of
dollars in constructing and maintaining state-of-the-art manufacturing
facilities; we simply can not match that!
For patients who need to get hearing aids ASAP, we do offer a 72 Hour Rush
Service.
Do you adjust the hearings aids for my hearing loss?
Yes. All hearing aids we dispense are fully digital and are adjusted
to your exact hearing thresholds. Furthermore, since ear canal acoustics
change hearing aid performance, we confirm and fine-tune all of our
fittings with the most advanced methods utilizing calibration based on
tones and live speech (measured with a tiny microphone placed in the ear
together with the hearing aid). Even the best hearing aids will not give
you clear speech when not appropriately adjusted. I've spent thousands of dollars but my hearing
aids still don't work for me. Why should I expect anything different from
your practice?
Good quality hearing aids are often limited by poor or inadequate
programming and adjustments. The knowledge, experience and care that goes
into our hearing aid fittings is matched by state-of-the-art adjustment
capabilities with Live Speech Mapping and Real Ear Measures. We believe,
however, that the real difference comes from our highly skilled, licensed
& board certified Doctors of Audiology. Our Doctors of Audiology will work
with you from your initial hearing evaluation to the hearing aid
fitting and all subsequent follow-ups to ensure the best hearing
performance. We are so confident in our equipment and professional staff
that we offer extended Risk-Free Trials and a Clear Speech Guarantee.
COST OF HEARING AIDS
What
is the cost of a hearing examination?
A comprehensive hearing evaluation is frequently covered by your insurance (in case of
insurance payments: fees are regulated by each insurance plan; please contact our office for details on your coverage).
This specialized testing is performed by the Audiologist and covers:
1) otoscopic (visual) assessment of the external ear, deep ear
canal, and ear drum
2) evaluating hearing sensitivity with tones through earphones
3) evaluating hearing nerve function with tones via bone conduction
4) determining word understanding performance for speech in quiet
and noisy conditions.
How
much do hearing aids cost?
Hearing aids range from approximately $1,800.00 to $2,899.00 per aid. As a large
independent private practice, we are proud to offer a Best Value Guarantee
and the most competitive prices in the area! The cost does depend upon
the size and style of the hearing aid but mostly varies based on the type
of technology.
It is important to note that not all patients require all the 'bells &
whistles' on a hearing aid. Your audiologist will explain what is
meaningful for your hearing loss and can give you the opportunity to
listen to hearing aids even during your initial evaluation.
Do
you offer a trial period? I'm afraid hearing aids may not work for me.
We not only offer extended Risk-Free Trial Periods, but we also offer our
patients a
Clear Speech Guarantee. Our goal is your improved hearing ability and
complete satisfaction. Our trial periods allow you time to adjust to the
newly discovered sounds, also giving you the opportunity of trying your
new hearing aids in a variety of situations to fully evaluate them.
Our Doctors of Audiology not only prescribe high-quality products, but are
also committed to providing outstanding service and support for as long as you have your hearing aids.
HEARING TESTING & HEARING AID SERVICES
Do you repair
hearing aids?
Pittsburgh Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, Inc. provides Hearing
Aid Service & Repairs for All Makes & Models (Analog,
Programmable and Digital) including: Argosy, Beltone, Bernafon,
Danavox, Electone, Fidelity, Lyric, ReSound, Magnatone, Marcon, Miracle Ear,
Nu-Ear, Omni, Oticon, Phonak, Rexton, Siemens, Sonic Innovations,
Sonotone, Starkey, Telex, Unitron, Widex and others not
listed.
Minor repairs can be completed in our offices; major repairs are sent
to the hearing aid manufacturers.
Please contact our office with questions
on your hearing aid repair.
Do you offer hearing
testing "over the telephone" or "on the web"?
Absolutely not! Having evaluated the accuracy of those screening hearing
tests we have found that results can be very misleading and can often
obscure conditions that require medical attention. Any concerns of hearing
difficulties can be fully addressed with a comprehensive hearing
evaluation by a licensed Audiologist.
We do offer hearing screenings (at no-charge) in observation of Better
Hearing Month and, frequently, as part of community health initiatives and
'better hearing health' promotions. Please contact our office for more details.
What are the credentials of your staff?
What is the difference
between Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers?
Our staff have earned the highest credentials available: Doctors of
Audiology. They have first earned Bachelors of Science Degrees, then
continued to Masters of Science Degrees, completed a residency/fellowship and,
finally, earned Doctorates in Audiology.
Hearing aid dispensers are technicians who have completed an
apprenticeship; many of them pass a state examination and earn the
designation BC-HIS. They are not required to have any other education more
than a High-School Diploma (or GED) and are very limited in the scope of
services they can provide.
To ensure the highest level
of care, all of our testing and follow-up care is provided only by Doctors of
Audiology, not hearing aid dispensers.
HEARING EVALUATION PROCESS
I would like to find out more details
before my visit. What happens during the hearing evaluation visit?
First of all, you need to understand what
the audiologist will be looking for. The Audiologist will most likely test
your hearing in a number of different ways, to determine where the hearing
problem is located. At the end of your hearing test, the audiologist will
take time to explain the tests they performed, interpret the results and
provide suggestions for correcting the problem.
Your History
Before proceeding, your Audiologist will ask you questions about
your medical history. They will want to know about noise that you have
been exposed to at or outside of work, any medical problems with ears,
past illnesses and any other medical history that may have had an
impact on your hearing. Bringing a list of medications you are taking is
very helpful.
Otoscopic Examination
At the beginning of your hearing exam, the audiologist will look
into your ears with a lighted instrument (otoscope) that allows a
magnified view of the ear canal and ear drum. The ear canal, external ear
and ear drum will be inspected for signs of wax and/or any signs of
conditions requiring medical attention.
Sound Booth
The next step is for the Audiologist to place you in a quiet sound room.
This sound-proofed environment will ensure that outside noises will not
interfere with the very sensitive hearing assessment.
Tone Testing
Next, your audiologist will conduct pure tone tests. They will place, either a set of headphones over your ears
or insert a small set
of earplugs into your ears. The headphones or inserted plugs will deliver a
series tones into your ears. A device called an audiometer electronically
generates these "pure tones" (beeps) which vary in tone and volume. This
test helps the audiologist to determine the level at which a patient
hears different pitches (or frequencies). Each ear is tested individually. You will
indicate when you hear a tone by raising your hand or pushing a button.
Next, the audiologist will put a small
device (bone conductor) behind your ear and with this device, they will
test many tones again. The bone conductor transmits sound, through bone
vibration, to the cochlea of the inner ear, bypassing the middle and outer
ear. It allows the Audiologist to determine the type of hearing loss in
the patient.
Speech Testing
The next step is Speech Testing. Like during the tone test, you will remain
seated in the sound booth. You will then hear a series of words that you
will be instructed to repeat. Some of the words will be two syllables and
will become softer. A second set of one syllable
words will be produced. The volume of these will stay the same. This test
allows the audiologist to determine the level at which the patient can
detect and understand speech (not merely that speech is present). Your
Audiologist may also perform Speech In Noise Testing where you have to
repeat words that are spoken in the presence of background noise. Speech
testing materials are presented both in Live Voice (your Audiologist reads
the words) and in Recorded form (from Standardized Compact Disc
Recordings).
Test of the Middle ear
The audiologist may also check the middle ear with Impedance Tests (Tympanometry,
Acoustic Reflexes). A
probe is placed in your ear and air pressure is increased and then
decreased while a tone is presented. A graph will be generated with the
results of the test.
Audiogram
The results of these hearing tests are recorded in a chart called an
audiogram. An audiogram is a graph with O’s and X’s connected with
lines. The O’s represent the right ear and the X’s the left. Marks
near the top of the graph are an indication of better hearing while marks
further down the graph show worse hearing. Horizontally on the audiogram
are frequency numbers ranging from 125 Hz, a very low tone on the Left, to
8000 Hz, a very high tone on the right.
On the left side of the graph a series of
decibel (dB) numbers indicate loudness. Very soft sounds are at the top
(-10 or 0 dB) and loud sounds (110 db) are located at the bottom. Zero dB
does not mean that there is no sound! This level is merely the softest
sound a person with normal hearing ability can hear. A normal conversation
usually occurs at about 40-45 dB on the decibel scale.
Looking at your audiogram you can tell which
ear you hear better in, as well as how mild or severe your hearing loss
is. You can also determine the frequencies at which you hear best and
worst. The word tests indicate test reliability and/or where in the
hearing system you may have problems. It is important to remember that the
decibel numbers on the graph show only one part of your hearing ability.
Simplifying to a "percent hearing loss" is very inaccurate and
not a good way of understanding the problem.
Your audiologist will help you and take time
to explain your test results, how they relate to your hearing ability and
what needs to be done to correct the problem. In some cases, a
consultation with an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgeon)
may be recommended. If hearing aids need to be prescribed, your
Audiologist will explain all available options and make sure that the one
selected will meet your hearing needs, your lifestyle and your budget.
Since most hearing aids are custom devices
(both the Behind-The-Ear and In-The-Ear), an ear-mold impression (cast of
your ear) will be taken. This is a simple and painless procedure where a
hypoallergenic silicone fills the ear canal to form a cast of the ear (in
about 5 minutes). A shell or mold is made from that cast and, in
approximately two weeks, we can fit you with your new hearing aids.
INSURANCE / BILLING
Will insurance cover the cost of my hearing aids?
It may. We participate in most health
care plans. Have your insurance card and contact our office. Our insurance specialist will be happy to assist you and
explain your benefits. Frequently, insurance plans cover a portion of the
total cost of your hearing aids.
We are providers for the majority of all
insurance plans including: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, UPMC, Health
America / Advantra and more.
Does insurance cover the cost of hearing aid repairs?
Repairs are covered by manufacturer's warranties but not by your
medical coverage. Please contact our office and our staff will be able to provide specific information on
your coverage.
If
you'd like to discuss your hearing loss with one of our Doctors of
Audiology please feel free to contact
us. Our goal is your
better hearing and complete satisfaction!
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