1. What are the Audiologist’s credentials?

Know who is going to be working with you and find out if they an Audiologist?  Educational requirements for audiologists include 6-8 years of college and thousands of clinical hours. Audiologist credentials include “MA, MS, Au.D., or Ph. D.” for Masters or Doctoral level education.   Audiologists may obtain board certification with the American Board of Audiology or Clinical Competency Certification through the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.   Audiologists specialize in many areas including adult hearing disorders, pediatrics, education, industrial testing, surgical monitoring, cochlear implants and more.

2. What brands of hearing aids are available?

Know if you’ll have a selection to choose from.  Locations that carry only one brand will be limited in their options.  Know if you are going to a corporate-owned chain or an independently owned practice.   Generally independent practices have more flexibility and work with multiple manufacturers.

3. How much time is allowed on the first visit?

You should feel comfortable with your choice of provider.  When you first visit for a consultation about your options in hearing aids you need to have time to discuss your evaluation results, talk about your lifestyle and what you expect from hearing aids, discuss the options available and different features, go over pricing and all that is included in the price and talk about the services provided with the products.  You should expect enough time to answer all of your questions.

4. Can I try on an instrument in the office?

Most locations will have to ability to demonstrate hearing products in the office to show you some of the features and benefits of hearing aids.

5. How long is the trial period and what happens if I return the hearing aids?

You can expect a minimum of 30 days in the trial period as mandated by Pennsylvania state law.  Find out if you can exchange hearing instruments if you don’t like the first ones you try.  Find out also how much your refund will be if you return your hearing aids during the trial period.  Do not be surprised if the refund is not 100%.  Often a small charge is maintained for the services provided and expenses incurred by your order.

6. What is included in the price of the hearing aid?

The price of hearing aids is often a bundled price which includes the instruments, the shipping and handling, the warranty package, the earmold impressions, the service plan for cleanings and reprogramming and the time that the audiologist spends with you at each of your appointments.

7. What types of payment options are available?

Hearing aids can be very affordable.  Financing plans may allow for no interest payments within 6 to 12 months or low-interest payments for longer than 12 months.  You may have insurance benefits that will help reduce your cost.  Ask if the facility accepts your insurance.  It is best to be prepared and call your insurance company ahead of time to check on your benefits before going to an appointment.

8. How will you ensure my satisfaction with new hearing aids?

Learning to hear again can be a challenge.  Make sure the audiologist will schedule recheck appointments while you are in your trial period.  Ask if the audiologist will take measurements of your performance to be sure that the hearing aid is a good fit and is performing well.

9.  Are there any charges while I am under warranty?

Many practices will include the cost of all your visits during your warranty.  Ask what is included and what is not.

10.  Are there classes or training sessions that I can take to learn about hearing aids?

Auditory training and rehabilitation are part of a successful adaptation period for first time hearing aid users. Though learning to hear can be challenging to new users there are many ways to reduce these difficulties.  Ask about rehabilitation programs, exercise programs for listening and other therapies offered through the office.

Learn more about being a hearing aid consumer with the following links:

Hearing Loss Association of America Purchasing a Hearing Aid.  Consumer Check List

Better Hearing Institute Your Guide to Purchasing Hearing Aids

Better Hearing Institute Request Other Guidebooks

Consumer Guide Book

American Academy of Audiology Task Force Paper Guidelines for Audiological Management of Adults

American Academy of Audiology Better Communication and Hearing Aids: A Guide to Hearing Aid Use

This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/

It is a big topic and one that I discuss a lot with patients. Hearing aids are susceptible to all types of moisture and their is no way to avoid it completely. The best you can do to protect your investment and your instruments is to maintain an acceptable level of dryness and that can be done in a number of ways.

Sometimes I am asked if there is such a thing as a waterproof hearing aid. There answer is “none that have been successful.” Part of the reason why hearing aids continue to have moisture issues is due to the battery. The batteries in hearing aids are air activated… that means that they need to be exposed to the air to work. If the hearing aids were completely sealed from air, the batteries would not function (consequently, they cannot be easily sealed from water for the same reason). Also, if the aids are sealed and moisture gets in the aid it won’t be able to escape back out. If moisture becomes trapped inside the hearing aid you then have battery corrosion issues and possibly moisture related break down of the amplifier, and/or processor (or other delicate parts of the hearing aid). So, some leakage of air (and water) is necessary for a hearing aid to function. Perhaps in the future with sciences like Nanotechnology we will eventually be able to create a membrane barrier that will not allow moisture in but will allow moisture to escape and air in for the battery. Perhaps with improvements to the batteries (such as the new rechargables that are coming out) we will no longer need zinc-air battery cells for power. Some manufacturers are starting to play around with Nanotechnology and it is a fascinating science. I believe consumer will see many of their concerns slowly addressed as appropriate solutions are put on the market.

As for moisture prevention solutions…

Let me first say, you cannot swim with your hearing aids in but if you are going to wear your in-the-ear (ITE) aids in or around the pool or other potentially hazardous places, at the very least find a head wrap called EarBandit. This will also keep the aids from falling in the water. For those of you that wear behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, you can also use the sweatband or EarGear products. These are not waterproof options and you still should avoid getting the aids wet… but they will provide splashguard. So, you can relax a little and have some fun. When you are done for the day at the pool… let your hearing aids dry out for 8 hours before wearing them again. Open the battery door and put in a dry, safe place. Never use hair dryers, heat lamps, hot air guns, microwaves or ovens to dry the aids.

Aids that are frequently exposed to water/sweat need a gentle, even, dry heat to remove moisture build up and this can only be found in electric drying kits. This is very important for those on the list that are profuse sweaters and love water sports. Even those who live in humid, muggy climates should consider an electric drying kit. If you are very active or if you sleep with your aids in (you know who you are) you need to give the aids a break once in a while and dry them out. Different companies offer different features in their drying units. You will find that most have a desiccant bar/bag/pouch and a heat source. Some also have ultraviolet light, thermoplastic heat and vibratory or mechanical spin dry cycles. Some are very simple, others more complex. Check to see if your audiologist has any demonstration units in their office. I’ve tried many drying units myself and I have always liked the Dry & Store brand. However, there may be a different unit that will fit your needs better. For BTE users on the list. Don’t forget your tubing needs to staydry. Moisture sneaks into the hearing aid through the earmold and up the tubing. You’ll see little bubbles around the bends of the tubing. This is best removed by disconnecting the earmold from the earhook/hearing aid and pushing dry air through the tube. Remember if you try to blow into the tube with your mouth you are only re-introducing the moisture from your own breath. So, it is better to have a “earmold blower” which looks like a nasal bulb or other compressed air. Be cautious with canned air… it can contain chemicals that can contain irritants that affect the respiratory system and cause skin sensitivities and possibly be toxic to your health.

Even if all the information above is not applicable to your situation because you are not active or don’t sweat, you’ll still want to at least open that battery door up overnight and have your aids professionally cleaned and dried twice a year.

Feel free to contact me for more information or to ask specific questions about this topic. info@hearwellcenter.com

When it comes to hearing loss and hearing aids, most hearing aid users look to the device to make communication better and though hearing aids can improve hearing, they cannot improve listening.  Instead, hearing aid users should strive to be “patients of hearing health care” and look for solutions to improve hearing and listening.  This can be accomplished by using any and all devices needed to support hearing as well as therapy and exercises for listening.  The highest level of satisfaction with hearing aids comes from following the audiological recommendations in full and accepting that learning to hear and listen again is a process that requires motivation and time.

Research in audiology reveals over and over again that hearing care is not a simple thing. The audiology degree is a testament to this fact.  For example, an audiology student will spend 8 years in college, earn two or more higher education degrees and perform thousands of clinical hours with patients.  Still many people price check for hearing aids believing they are making a technology purchase instead of looking at the professional behind the technology and the service that comes with learning to hear and listen.

Author’s note: I’ve been on both “sides of the fence” so to speak. I am a hard of hearing consumer and user of hearing aids.  I grew up with hearing loss in both ears and have used hearing aids in both ears as long as I can remember.  I am also a doctor of audiology and the owner of HearWell Center in Forest Hills (independently owned private practice).  Educating patients is very important to me and I invite you to visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/

This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/

To determine if you are able to recycle non-rechargeable zinc-air batteries at your local recycling center, you may follow the steps below:

1. Return the used batteries to one of the following locations where the batteries will be recycled free of charge.

• Best Buy
• The Home Depot
• Radio Shack
• Batteries Plus

2. Call 1 800 8BATTERY or visit:www.rbrc.org/consumer/index.phpto locate the Battery Recycling Center nearest you.

In my clinic I have found mercury-free batteries, though environmentally friendly, are not always consumer friendly. The  instability issues inherent with mercury-free batteries make for shortened battery life and less dependable hearing aid performance.  Patients struggle with errant low battery warnings, spontaneous rebooting of devices and shorter battery life overall.  Those patients with hearing aid designed with water repellent or water resistant casing tend to be most susceptible to battery life issues.   This stems from a lack of oxygen reaching the battery in the initial battery activation phase (when the sticker is first peeled off the air holes in the battery).  This occurs to some extent with all zinc-air hearing aid batteries but seems more pronounced with mercury-free types.  To help avoid “suffocation” of your batteries be sure to wait 2 minutes after peeling the sticker off a fresh battery before you place it into the device.  Additionally, save battery life by opening battery doors all the way when the device is not in use.  Some devices will drain batteries even if the hearing aid is off.  Be sure there is no chance of battery contact in the device by opening the battery door to full swing.

Caution: Never store used batteries in locations that are potential fire danger areas. Zinc-air batteries are combustible.

Other useful links:
Habitat for Humanity battery recycling program -http://tinyurl.com/26p776r

Hearing Review Article – Mercury free article
http://tinyurl.com/24bdtab

Journal of American Pediatrics – Hazards of battery ingestionhttp://tinyurl.com/28rh7lu

This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/