Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know I have a hearing loss?
For many people, hearing loss is a gradual event that happens very slowly over a number of years. If the loss happened overnight, you would be more likely to notice the change. However, gradual hearing loss usually results in others noticing you’re not hearing well long before you notice it yourself.

If you’re not sure if you have hearing loss, it is highly recommended that you undergo a hearing evaluation with a trained audiologist.

A hearing evaluation allows the audiologist to determine the type and degree of your hearing loss, and then to make appropriate recommendations. The test also helps to determine how well your auditory system is capable of understanding speech and processing the sounds that you hear. Sometimes people need to be referred to an ear, nose and throat doctor who specializes in diseases of the ear and balance.

For more information, see Hearing Loss.



2. Can I wear just one hearing aid?
We are designed to hear from both ears, especially when in difficulty environments like noisy restaurants or when traveling. If the brain doesn’t receive information from both ears, it has a more difficult time understanding speech because it’s not receiving a complete message. One ear is always better than two, so if you have a hearing loss in both ears, then you need to wear a hearing aid in both ears for optimal performance.

Sometimes it’s not possible to wear two hearing aids. It’s best to discuss this with your audiologist to find out what will be the best option for you.


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3. Will my hearing get worse if I wear a hearing aid?
No. Wearing hearing aids will not cause your hearing to deteriorate faster than if you didn’t wear them. However, your audiologist will strongly recommend that if you’re working in a noisy environment, using power tools or heavy machinery, that you remove the instruments.

The brain is what processes sounds that we hear. The ears only work to channel the sound into the brain. In the case of hearing loss, the ears are not working properly; therefore the brain is not receiving the necessary signals to process. If you don’t provide the brain with the information that is missing (by wearing hearing aids), then over time the brain will lose its ability to process sounds. This will cause you to misunderstand what you hear, even when the sounds are loud enough because of a distorted signal within the brain pathways. By wearing hearing aids sooner than later, you are able to maintain your ability to comprehend speech.


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4. How long will it take for me to get used to a hearing aid?
Everyone is different. Wearing hearing aids is a learning process. Your brain has to “relearn” how to hear different sounds around you. For some people, this process happens quickly, maybe in a few weeks. For some people, this may take a little bit longer. It depends on many factors, including how much hearing loss you have, how long you have had it, your tolerance levels, etc. Your audiologist can discuss your hearing loss and what you can expect from hearing aids according to the results of your hearing test.

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5. What are the most common hearing aid styles?

There are many styles of hearing aids. The most common styles are listed below in size order (smallest to largest)

CIC: Completely-In-the-Canal units are the tiniest hearing aids made. They require a "removal string" due to their small size and the fact that they fit deeply into the ear canal. CICs can be difficult to remove without the pull string. CICs do not usually have manual controls attached to them because they are too small.

MC: Mini-Canals are the size between ITC and CIC. A mini canal is a good choice when you desire the smallest possible hearing aid with a tiny volume wheel.

ITC: In-The-Canal units are usually more expensive than ITEs. They require good dexterity to control the volume wheel and they are smaller than ITEs.

ITE: In-The-Ear units are often the most comfortable, the least expensive and the easiest to operate. They are also the largest of the custom made styles.

microStyle generation models: The state-of-the art microStyle hearing instruments are small and feather-light. The ergonomic design, combined with the extremely thin tubing, results in a uniquely satisfying cosmetic solution. They disappear behind your ear and you forget you are wearing them – until your hear the astonishing difference they make.

BTE: Behind-The-Ear hearing aids are the largest hearing aids and they are very reliable. BTEs have the most circuit options and they typically offer more power than custom made units. BTEs rest on the back of your ear. They are connected to the ear canal via custom-made plastic tubing; the earmold. The earmold is usually custom made from an ear impression to perfectly replicate the size and shape of your ear.

For more information, see Phonak's site.


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6. What are Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA)?

The BAHA is a surgically implantable system for treatment of hearing loss that works through direct bone conduction. It has been used since 1977, and was cleared by the FDA in 1996 as a treatment for conductive and mixed hearing losses in the United States. In 2002, the FDA approved its use for the treatment of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

BAHA is used to help people with chronic ear infections, congenital external auditory canal atresia and single sided deafness who cannot benefit from conventional hearing aids. The system is surgically implanted and allows sound to be conducted through the bone rather than via the middle ear - a process known as direct bone conduction.

Ask one of our audiologists about the BAHA to find out if it’s right for you.

For more information see Cochlear's Site

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7. What happens when I get a hearing aid?
First of all, the audiologist looks in your ears to make sure you don’t have any earwax blocking your ear canal. You will then undergo a hearing test, where you will listen to tones of different pitches and intensities. When you hear the tones, you are asked to indicate it was heard either by pushing a button or raising your hand. You will also be asked to repeat words back to the audiologist in order to determine how well your brain is able to process speech.

Your audiologist will explain to you the results of your test, and then ask you questions to determine your particular hearing needs. Together, you will decide which style and type of hearing aid technology would work best for you. Once that decision is made, the hearing instruments are ordered. This might involve taking a silicone impression of your ears (this usually takes about 5-10 minutes and is a very simple and easy procedure).

In about 1-2 weeks, your hearing aids will arrive, and you will meet with your audiologist for a fitting. During this appointment, the instruments are programmed to your comfortable levels, the actual fit is examined to ensure comfort, and you are instructed on how to use them appropriately, clean them, take care of them and insert the batteries.

About one week later, you are asked to return to the office to meet with your audiologist. At this time, any of your questions and concerns are addressed and the programming is adjusted as necessary.

Your audiologist will meet with you regularly to address any issues that may come up during your adjustment period. Once you are satisfied with the result, you are scheduled to return to the office every 3 months for a check up of the instruments. This will ensure that you are getting optimal results from your investment.

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8. I heard that hearing aids just make everything louder – is this true?
Actually – today’s current technology is incredible. We are now able to help people to hear better, even in the presence of background noise! Older hearing aids used to just make everything louder, so people didn’t like wearing them, especially when they were in a restaurant or crowd. Today’s technology is completely automatic, self adjusting and sensitive to environmental noises. The hearing aids can now actually suppress some of the extraneous noises, while still making the sounds of speech louder.

Some of the hearing aids have what’s called “directional microphones”. This means that there are two microphones, one in the front and one in the back. When the environmental noises get too loud behind you, the back microphones actually shut off, decreasing the amount of background noise coming into the hearing aid. This results in better understanding of speech when you’re in a difficult listening environment.

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9. Will my voice sound funny when I use hearing aids?
When you use a hearing aid, you tend to hear your voice a little louder than you’re used to hearing, and it often times sounds like it’s not even your voice! That’s because you’re hearing your voice amplified through the hearing aid. Some people describe this sensation as feeling "plugged up" or hearing your voice echoing. This sensation is normal and will usually go away in a few days after you have given yourself a chance to get accustomed to your new hearing aids and learned to adjust the volume controls. Sometimes, this sensation does not go away, so there are adjustments the audiologist can make to relieve these symptoms. If your symptoms persist, you must make an appointment with your audiologist to try to alleviate the problem as soon as possible.

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10. What type of care do hearing aids require?
It is very important that you take care of your hearing aids daily. Moisture and earwax are the two most common causes of problems. Your audiologist will provide you with the proper tools to help clean your instruments, as well as teach you the best way to handle them. You should never allow them to get wet – that means no swimming or showering! There are special systems that can be purchased that will help keep the moisture out of the instruments.

The Dry & Store Professional is designed for in-home use and ease-of-use. The Dry & Store system incorporates a unique patented process that breaks up moisture droplets from the hearing aid and sends them to a moisture agent to eliminate destructive moisture that causes distortion, intermittency and volume fluctuations. A sanitizing element kills germs that can cause itchy ears and recurring ear infections. See www.harriscomm.com.

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11. What are Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)?
Sometimes, hearing aids are not enough to solve many of the communication problems that can arise from having a hearing loss. These situations include the telephone, radio, television, or the inability to hear the door bell or alarm clock. Additionally, some people still have trouble hearing in noisy places like restaurants even with their hearing aids.

For this reason, special devices have been developed to solve these problems. Ask your audiologist about special systems designed to make your telephone louder, personal listening devices to add to the assistance from your hearing aid, amplified doorbell ringers, amplified telephones or speaker phones, special alarm clocks, etc.

Even people with normal hearing, or only very mild hearing losses can benefit from assistive listening devices. Ask your audiologist for information.

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12. How long do hearing aids last?
Most of the problems associated with hearing aid repairs include poor maintenance and care. Often times, earwax or other debris clogs up the microphones and receivers, resulting in a non-functioning unit. Your audiologist will review with you how to maintain your hearing aids, how to keep them clean and dry, how to change batteries etc. Nonetheless, if the hearing aids are well maintained, generally speaking, they can last 4 to 6 years.

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13. Are hearing aids covered by insurance?
There are some insurance companies that do cover some portion of the cost of hearing aids. . However, each situation is different! Even if some companies do have a benefit, it might not be available to you based on your specific policy or group number. We recommend that you contact your carrier to find out exactly what coverage you have. While we do not submit hearing aid claims, we will provide you with the necessary information you need to process your claim.

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14. Does Medicare cover the cost of hearing aids?
No. Medicare will not cover any portion of the cost of hearing aids.

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15. How can hearing aids help?
Every person wearing a hearing aid has different needs and expectations. The goal of any hearing aid is to make speech sounds available to the listener. Unfortunately, it’s not just a matter of making sounds louder. Most hearing aids today are designed to amplify soft speech sounds, but try to decrease the amount of amplification of the more unwanted sounds like background noise. Talk to your audiologist about which circuit is best for you.

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16. Do my hearing aids have any insurance on them?
At Peconic ENT, we offer a comprehensive service plan on most of our products. This plan, called Hearing Healthcare Solutions, is a complete 3 year service plan. Included in the plan are the following:
- 3 year repair warranty – any standard repairs on your instruments are covered at no charge by the manufacturer
- 3 year loss/damage coverage - one time only within the 3 year period – deductible applies
- 3 years of batteries
- 3 years of in-office services
- quarterly cleanings and check-ups of your instruments
- annual hearing screenings

We also offer a program called Hearing Healthcare Solutions - Plus. This plan is offered to individuals who currently have hearing aids that are not under any specific warranty, or instruments that were purchased elsewhere. This plan provides you with a coupon book with tremendous savings on hearing aid cleanings, batteries, hearing tests and more. The services in this plan are worth $450, but it only costs you $150! That’s a savings of $300!!!.. Ask one of our audiologists about this money saving plan.

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