Frequently Asked Questions
Hearing Evaluation Questions
How do I know that I need a Hearing Evaluation?
If you answer YES to any of these questions, you should find out what’s causing it – it might be a simple solution like wax buildup – find out for sure.
- Does it seem like others are mumbling?
- Do I ask others to repeat themselves often?
- Do others say that my TV is loud?
- Do I struggle to converse in groups of people?
What does the test involve?
The test involves a conversation about what you’re experiencing, a camera view of your ear canal and ear drum, then some sound and speech testing that will map out any hearing loss details so you can have a good understanding of the reasons for what you’re experiencing. Hearing Services
If I get tested, will I be pressured to buy Hearing Aids?
You will never be pressured at Modern Hearing Solutions to buy Hearing Aids. After being presented with the information and a live demonstration of how hearing aids sound in your ears, the decision is always yours, with no pressure. And a 30-day return policy if you change your mind later.
Hearing Loss Questions
Does it matter if I have hearing loss - can't just live with it?
You can just live with it, as so many do. However, there are well-documented consequences of untreated hearing loss, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Increased isolation from people (with whom you cannot easily communicate anymore)
- Depression and anxiety
- 30-40% greater decline in Cognitive Abilities (thinking)
- 3 times increased possibility of Falling
What causes Hearing Loss?
There are several causes, and often it’s a combination of the following:
- Aging: Presbycusis is hearing loss that is brought on as we age. It doesn’t automatically affect everyone, but it’s quite common.
- Loud Sounds: Noise-induced Hearing Loss is common among people of all ages, and the statistics of NIHL among young people is staggering. These sounds can be as simple as a single gun-shot blast, long-term exposure to noise that may not seem painful at the time, even just jamming to the latest tunes with your earbuds on High.
- Head Injuries
- Genetics or Birth Defects
- Drug or Treatment Reaction (antibiotics, chemotherapy, radiation
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
Are there different Types of Hearing Loss?
Yes, and they generally fall into 3 Categories:
- Conductive Hearing Loss is caused by a condition that affects the Outer or Middle Ear, preventing sound waves from reaching the Inner Ear where they can be interpreted by the nerve center (Cochlea) and sent to the brain. The treatment for Conductive Loss can vary and may include medical or surgical intervention. If this is what we discover, we will make the appropriate medical referral.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss happens as a result of Inner ear damage – inside of the Cochlea. Problems with the nerve pathways from the inner ear to your brain can also be a cause. This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. Most of the time, medicine or surgery cannot fix it, but Hearing Aids can help.
- Mixed Hearing Loss is really just a combination of Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss.
I'm hearing people talking, but why can't I understand them?
This is a common complaint among those suffering from hearing loss. That’s because the loss is typically focused on certain frequencies. Since individual words are made up of both high and low frequencies, you may only be getting parts of the words and struggling to guess at the rest. Did they say “STOP” or “POTS”, “PHONE” or “HOME”. Without the ability to hearing the complete word, speech clarity is lost. We typically compensate for this lack of clarity by reading lips, asking the speaker to repeat themselves, or giving up and just smiling and nodding. This is exactly the kind of issue that hearing aids are designed to address, since programming for each device is specifically customized to the exact frequency loss in each ear.
Hearing Aids Questions
Are Hearing Aids always the solution to Hearing Loss?
No. That’s why a test is needed to measure, not just how much loss you have, but whether it’s the kind that hearing aids can help.
Does my Insurance cover the cost?
Sometimes, but it’s always a good idea to check with the carrier for any benefit. Otherwise, that’s something we can do in the office for you.
I've heard of people never using their Hearing Aids after buying them - why?
Typically, those people with hearing loss that prefer NOT to wear the hearing aids they’ve purchased because they just don’t like how they sound. This is actually quite common it they’re not getting the appropriate follow-up care. Here’s why:
When we’re not used to hearing certain sounds for a long time, the brain adjusts to that by reclassifying that reduced hearing level as “normal”. If suddenly given the full range of that sound back all at once, the brain rebels and says “too much – Not normal!” The sounds are quite unbearable. To properly adjust to hearing those sounds again requires a graduation of that sound over a period of time. That’s what we specialize in: keeping you comfortable while training the brain to accommodate these long-forgotten sounds.