Who will I be working with?

At Hearing Help Express licensed hearing healthcare professionals are always available to service your needs.

What type of warranty comes with the hearing aid?

Warranties vary depending on the make and model of your hearing aids. At minimum, all hearing aids carry at least a one year warranty against defects in material and workmanship for one year. Additional coverage can be purchased, if done so before the original warranty expires.

How can I keep my hearing aids in top working condition?

The two most common causes of hearing aid failures are earwax and moisture build-up. If you want to minimize breakdowns and upkeep, follow these suggestions:

To prevent earwax buildup, clean your hearing aids daily. Ask your hearing healthcare professional for assistance and proper cleaning tools if needed. There are other options for your hearing aids if your wax problem is severe.

The ear canal is one of the most humid/moist places in the body. Prolonged exposure to moisture can corrode and lessen the performance of your hearing aids. Keep your hearing aids out of the bathroom and dry your ear canals after bathing. It is highly advised that you consider purchasing a moisture-drying product. Ask your hearing healthcare professional for more information.

How often should I go in for an office visit?

Typically you should have your hearing evaluated every two years. However, if you believe there has been a change in your hearing you should notify your hearing professional right away and schedule an evaluation. Your hearing aids should be inspected and cleaned every 6 months to ensure optimal performance.

How long does the entire process take?

You can usually take home ready-to-wear hearing aids the same day you visit. Custom hearing aids or hearing aids requiring custom earpieces typically require 5 - 7 business day to process.

How long do batteries last?

The average lifespan of a battery is 6-7 days when the aid is used full-time (morning to night on a daily basis). If your batteries are lasting less than six days, consult with your hearing healthcare professional at Hearing Help Express.

What symptoms indicate the need for a medical referral?

• Bleeding/draining from your ears
• Head trauma
• Sudden hearing loss
• Balance problems
• Ear pain
• Fluctuating hearing loss
• Ringing in ears
• Feeling of fullness or pressure in ears

What is the ringing in my head/ears?

The ringing sensation detected in your head, or individual ears, is called tinnitus. This ringing is usually an indication of some damage to your auditory system. It can be constant or periodic and on one specific side or in the middle of your head. There is no one treatment for tinnitus, but there are methods that can help you live with it. Sometimes hearing aids help by bringing more sound to the brain, thus distracting attention from the ringing. If you have ringing consistently on one side, you should consult your physician.

Is there anything I can do to restore my hearing?

Usually hearing loss is permanent. Consult with your doctor to see if your symptoms are medical in nature and need any treatment, especially if you have a sudden hearing loss. Even hearing aids will not restore hearing to normal. Hearing aids will make previously missed sounds available at the level of stimulation your auditory system needs at that particular pitch.

Why do I only have difficulty hearing in crowds?

If you have difficulty hearing in crowds, you may have a loss of hearing in the high frequencies. With this type of loss, you may hear well in one-on-one situations and even in small groups. However when you get around other speech noise, your ability to hear lessens. Your normal low frequency hearing may pick up the low pitched noise at a normal hearing level, while you miss some of the speech sounds in the high frequencies that bring in clarity. This hearing loss is not as noticeable when speaking with someone without any competing noise.

Why do I have a difficult time hearing female voices when I can hear male voices easily?

This is a symptom of high frequency hearing loss. Female voices, children's voices, and even a majority of speech understanding lie in the high frequencies. You may hear the low frequency sounds normally but miss the high frequency sounds.

What if I do not have problems hearing, but I have a problem understanding?

Hearing and understanding are two different things. It is possible to hear something and not understand. This may be due to a loss of hearing in the high frequencies. Most consonant sounds that bring clarity to speech are high in pitch. They help you discriminate between different words (i.e.. pick, tick, sick). If you have a high frequency hearing loss, you miss the clarity from consonant sounds while hearing the volume of speech from the low pitches.

Will wearing a hearing aid restore my hearing to normal?

Unfortunately hearing aids will not restore your hearing to normal. They will make most sounds available to you at your hearing level.

Do I need two hearing aids?

If you have a hearing loss in both ears it is recommended that you wear a hearing aid in each ear. There are 4 main reasons why binaural (two-eared) listening is superior to monaural (one-eared) listening:

• Better Hearing in Noise
• Improved Signal versus Noise Level
• Improved Locating Ability
• Possible Deterioration of the Unaided Ear

Are digital hearing aids for everyone?

No. Digital hearing aids focus more on clarity of sound rather than loudness. Someone with a severe to profound hearing loss, who is used to conventional technology, may not be a candidate for digital circuitry, as this type of circuit may not provide enough amplification. Analog technology provides the most appropriate amount and form of amplification, for those with a severe to profound hearing loss.

How do I know what size hearing aid I need?

Hearing aids are available in all sizes. Selection of a size depends upon your personal preference, your ear canal size, and your hearing loss. The smallest size is a Completely In the Canal (CIC) and fits deep into your ear canal. It is removed by pulling a string. The next size fits In The Canal (ITC) is usually only visible from the side. The In The Ear (ITE) hearing aids fills your entire ear and a Behind The Ear (BTE) aid hooks on to the top of your ear and goes behind it. Even if the smallest CIC is not appropriate for you, keep in mind that hearing aids are less noticeable than hearing loss.

My friend did not have a positive experience with hearing aids; will the same happen to me?

No hearing loss is the same. Although someone you know may have had a negative experience with hearing aids, you may not have the same experience. Professionals' ability to fit hearing aids vary, as do hearing aids and technology. Do not base your hearing upon someone else's experiences. At Hearing Help Express we have an advantage, we have complete control over our products and we know our aids inside and out.

Do hearing aids need repair?

Yes, occasionally hearing aids need repair. Hearing aids are exposed to a damp, waxy environment on a daily basis. Because of this, plus normal wear and tear, you can expect to face a repair or two during the lifespan of your hearing aid. If your hearing aid is being repaired more than you are able to use it, then it may be time to consider new aids.

How long does it take to adjust to new hearing aids?

It can take several months to completely adjust to your new hearing aids. Hearing tends to deteriorate gradually over time, so when sounds are reintroduced to the brain in a 30-minute fitting session, it can be overwhelming. The brain may have to reprogram the classification of some sounds. Even though it may take several months to completely adjust to hearing through hearing aids, it should only take a week or two for you to notice benefits.

Whose responsibility is rehabilitation?

Successful rehabilitation depends upon you, your hearing professional, and your support group. It is very important that you communicate openly with your hearing professional and that you understand realistic expectations of hearing aids. It is also necessary for your professional to guide you in your expectations while making adjustments based upon your needs. Also, it is very important to receive support from your friends and family members. Discuss your experience with them and explain your need for their encouragement and understanding. Hearing aids do not always give immediate results. They may require technical adjustments by the professional along with determination and patience on your part.