How Do I Get A Hearing Device?
At California Ear Institute we are interested in developing a partnership with our patients. We recognize that patients are looking for our advice, expertise and experience to help solve their communication problems but we want our patients to know that we perceive our role as a coach as well as a problem-solver. Hearing, listening, and understanding are very complicated tasks. Functioning better in our complex noisy world is an achievable goal. We bring our up to date equipment, the most advanced technology, our programming skills and availability to the task. You as the patient bring your interest and willingness to partner with us in your hearing rehabilitation.
The process of communicating better begins with a complete diagnostic evaluation – both medically and audiologically. Patients who are candidates for hearing devices are scheduled for a device consultation. This appointment is designed to give you the opportunity to ask your audiologist any questions you may have about hearing devices, how they work, what you should expect, cost etc. It also gives the audiologist the opportunity to learn more about you – your problem situations and lifestyle. This information assists the audiologist in making a recommendation for specific devices that will be optimal for you. Hearing devices are typically ordered after the consultation and an appointment is scheduled for the fitting in approximately two weeks.
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At the hearing device fitting, patients have the experience of listening to their devices as they are being programmed. Individual preferences for tone, loudness, clarity etc are obtained and accommodated in the programming. Patients are taught how to insert and remove the devices as well as change batteries and manipulate any switches. Family members are encouraged to attend the fitting and all follow-up appointments so their questions and expectations can be addressed.
At California Ear Institute we want you to use your devices successfully. We know that most people adjust gradually to more sound so we schedule follow up visits generally at two week intervals. Adjusting to amplification takes a different amount of time for each patient. The first weeks of hearing device usage are filled with many new sounds. People often report that they hear the “new” hum of the refrigerator, the clicking sound of the turn signal and the birds singing. Although you will be hearing more, many familiar sounds will seem different and may be disturbing; such as the roar of traffic or the hum of conversation at the shopping mall. As you become accustomed to your listening through your hearing devices your brain will identify these sounds and it will be natural to you to hear them.
At your two week follow-up visits we customize the programming in your instruments to your preferences and experiences. We insist on a 45-day adjustment period – giving you the opportunity to try your instruments in many situations. We want to make sure you are able to take full advantage of your instruments’ capability. If we have not selected the instrument that best meets your needs or if you are not able to benefit from the instrument; we are able to try alternate instruments or obtain a complete refund for you during that 45-day adjustment period. Successful adjustment to amplification doesn’t mean that you never come back however. You are part of the CEI family and we want to see you at least once per year or whenever a problem arises. Optimal hearing healthcare means a yearly hearing test as well as periodic appointments with a physician to make sure your ears are healthy and free of wax. If your hearing changes over time we are able to re-program your hearing devices so that they continue to help you in the most complete way possible.
It is our policy to provide complete service. We encourage our patients to call us when they experience any problems with their instruments. We will schedule an adjustment appointments when necessary. We have regular follow-up appointments scheduled with yearly hearing tests to make sure that hearing devices programming is always optimized for each patients’ hearing loss.
If you have purchased devices elsewhere or recently moved near our offices and you may your devices checked or adjusted at CEI. There is a fee for office time but we are able to honor manufacturer’s warranties. Please contact us for more information.
Types of Hearing Devices
CIC- Fitting completely in the canal, it is the least visible hearing aid available. This style requires that the patient have good dexterity in order to manipulate the small device and battery. The CIC is best suited for hearing losses in the mid to moderate range.
ITC- Still having a cosmetically appealing look, this device fills the outer portion of the ear canal. The in the canal aid has a larger battery, which allows for more power and longer battery life. The ITC fits mild to moderate hearing losses.
ITE- Filling the entire bowl of the outer ear, this style of hearing aid uses a larger battery generating even more power and battery life. The ITE is best suited for mild to severe hearing impairments.
BTE- The behind the ear device is connected to a custom made earmold that fits in the canal through a clear tube. This style of hearing device can be used for mild to profound hearing losses and can allow for the most amplification and longest battery life possible.
Oticon Delta - Introducing Delta a revolutionary new concept in hearing devices that will enhance your powers of communication and ability to connect. To wear Delta will be to join a big club of people who are proud to “own their hearing” – and keep their edge.
Cochlear Implantation -
The implant is placed behind and above the ear and secured. A mastoidectomy is needed for access to the inner ear. An opening in the cochlea (called a cochleostomy) is created and the electrode is inserted into the cochlea. View the animation to learn about implant surgery.
Implantable hearing devices:
The BAHA System is available for patients with conductive hearing loss and single-sided deafness. The BAHA may also be used on a headband if the surgically implanted abutment is not desired. This device is a very successful solution for people who have not been able to wear traditional hearing devices.
Symphonix middle ear implant technology is now available. This device is appropriate for mild to moderate high frequency hearing losses. The symphonix implant has a programmable digital sound processor worn on the head behind the ear. More information is available in the Hearing Device Center.
Technology and Cost:
Research and development in hearing device technology is proceeding at a rapid pace. A few years ago digital technology was unheard of. Now almost all hearing devices use digital sound processing chips and are available from the most economical instrument to premium levels. In addition to the advances that digital processing brings, instrument manufacturers have utilized their engineers’ expertise in various ways resulting in a multitude of products for a wide variety of needs. At CEI we use products from the most well-known and reliable manufacturers. Your audiologist will discuss technology with you and make recommendations based on your audiogram and lifestyle needs. Cost of hearing devices is determined by technology and style of instrument. More current premium technology and smallest size represent the most expensive instruments while less-advanced technology and a larger style reflect more economical choices. Our promise to you is that we will find the best technology that meets your needs at a price that is comfortable for you.
Successful adjustment to amplification not only involves getting a quality product that is appropriate for your loss but also taking advantage of our audiology staff’s expertise. We want to see you several times during your initial 45-day adjustment phase and once per year thereafter. During those visits you have the opportunity to share your frustrations and successes and the audiologist has the opportunity to fine-tune the programming in your instruments to customize it for your needs.
We hope all our patients feel like partners with us- moving toward the shared goal of understanding speech in their daily life.
Do I need two hearing devices?
Two hearing devices are better than one in most cases. Why?
- Keep both ears active, resulting in less hearing deterioration.
Research has shown that when only one hearing device is worn, the unaided ear tends to lose its ability to hear and understand. This is clinically called the auditory deprivation effect. People wearing two hearing devices keep both ears active. In fact, wearing one hearing aid (when two are indicated) could result in greater deterioration of hearing in the unaided ear than if wearing no hearing device at all.
- Better understanding of speech.
By wearing two hearing devices rather than one, selective listening is more easily achieved. This means your brain can focus on the conversation you want to hear. Research shows that people wearing two hearing devices routinely understand speech and conversation significantly better than people wearing one.
- Better understanding in group and noisy situations.
Speech intelligibility is improved in difficult listening situations when wearing two hearing devices. However, advanced binaural technology (programmable analog or digital) tends to perform better in noise than older (analog) technology.
- Better ability to tell direction of sound.
This is called localization. Research has shown that in binaural use, there’s an average of a 15% shift in increased satisfaction in “ability to tell the direction of sounds.” This is a substantial improvement! In a social gathering, for example, localization allows you to hear from which direction someone is speaking to you. In traffic, you can tell from which direction a car or siren is coming.
- Better sound quality.
When you listen to a stereo system, you use both speakers to get the smoothest, sharpest, most natural sound quality. The same thing can be said of hearing devices. By wearing two hearing devices, you increase your hearing range from 180 degrees reception (with just one instrument) to 360 degrees. This greater range provides a better sense of balance and sound quality.
- Smoother tone quality.
Wearing two hearing devices generally requires less volume. This results in less distortion and better reproduction of sounds.
- Wider hearing range.
It’s true! A person can hear sounds from a further distance with two ears, rather than just one. A voice that’s barely heard at 10 feet with one ear can be heard up to 40 feet with two ears.
- Better sound identification.
Often, with just one hearing device, many noises and words sound alike. However, with two hearing instruments, as with two ears, sounds are more easily distinguishable.
- Hearing is less tiring and listening more pleasant.
More binaural hearing device wearers report that listing and participating in conversation is more enjoyable with two devices. This is because you do not have to strain to hear with the better. Thus, binaural hearing can help make listening (and therefore life) more relaxing.
- Feeling of balanced hearing.
Two-eared hearing results in a feeling of balanced reception of sound, also known as the stereo effect, whereas monoaural hearing creates an unusual feeling of sounds being heard in one ear.
- Tinnitus Masking.
About 50% of people with ringing in their ears report improvement when wearing hearing aids. If you have a hearing device in only one ear, there will still be ringing in the unaided ear.
One device may be recommended for you if the hearing in one ear is markedly different from the other or if particular medical conditions exist. Your audiologist will discuss your particular needs with you and make the most appropriate recommendations for your hearing and communication needs.
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