Hearing Aids
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hearing Aid Services
The High Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss
Is there any reason why you can’t wait to do something about your hearing loss?
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) conducted a study of more than 2000 hard-of-hearing adults and about 1700 of their family members. In its report, the NCOA concluded that, “untreated hearing loss was associated with increased anger, frustration, paranoia, insecurity, instability, nervousness, tension, anxiety, irritability, discontentment, depression, and fear.”
The study also found that, “in comparison with people who have sought help for their hearing loss, those with untreated loss were more likely to be self-critical, feel a sense of inferiority, suffer from social phobias, and be perceived by others as confused, disoriented, or unable to concentrate.”
The social implications of untreated hearing loss are often profound. These include more stressful marriages and damage to other important relationships; impaired job performance; misperceptions by others who mistake the effects of hearing loss for mental deterioration, confusion, aloofness, etc.; and social isolation when hearing loss makes normal conversation difficult or impossible.
Waiting to treat any health problem is never a good idea.
Hearing Aid FAQ
Can hearing aids be programmed?
Hearing aids are programmable. They can “remember” different settings for each listening environment in your life and you can switch to the appropriate one depending on sound input received from your surroundings. Some hearing aids automatically store data regarding which setting you prefer in certain situations, and will automatically switch to the desired setting in each situation.
Can hearing aids work with wireless devices?
Many hearing aids can sync with wireless devices by using Bluetooth® technology, enabling you to receive direct signals from your cell phone, MP3 player, television, and more. For improved sound clarity and understanding, Bluetooth functionality allows you to connect wirelessly with cell phones, televisions, iPods, iPads, and other electronic devices.
Are there hearing aids that can get wet?
Today’s technology has the highest moisture rating available in hearing aids today. This means they are resistant to the effects of moisture and are less likely to break down or need to be sent away for repair. Because they are so robust and stay securely in place behind the ear, many people can benefit, including those who perspire heavily, are active in sports, or who garden or work in dusty environments.
Will a hearing aid help me?
If you have an aidable hearing loss, meaning you have some hearing left to work with then the answer is yes. How much it will help will depend on a whole host of factors including:
- How long you waited to do something about your problem.
- How you lost your hearing.
- Your overall health.
Brands
Hearing Aids We Offer
Oticon Hearing Aids
People First is a promise: That everything we do always begins with the people we are doing it for. We are not simply trying to help you hear more, but to live more
Phonak Hearing Aids
Whatever your degree of hearing loss Phonak has the right hearing aid for you – regardless of your type of hearing loss, your lifestyle, your personal preferences, your age or your budget.
Widex Hearing Aids
Our uncompromising approach to innovation has led to such advances as the world’s first digital in-the-ear hearing aid, as well as our own revolutionary wireless technology.
Sonic Hearing Aids
Sonic is proud to offer a range of devices and technology levels to help you enjoy the sounds that enrich everyday life.
Signia Hearing Aids
Hearing aids deliver the sound that nature intended by combining uncompromised audibility with a natural sounding own voice. Our elegant state-of-the-art solutions replicate the natural experience of hearing everything in harmony.
Bernafon Hearing Aids
Bernafon hearing aids provide clear and natural sound in complex situations, optimal speech understanding in noise and wireless connection to external audio sources.
Hearing Aid Pricing
Premium Hearing Aids
These devices are the top performers offered by each manufacturer and therefore guarner the highest price point. Devices in this category provide the most features to make listening less effortful in the widest variety of environments and listening conditions. If you live an active life and want the most help in the widest variety of situations, the devices in this category are your best choice
Advanced Hearing Aids
These devices are very feature rich, but with a few less programming options than the premium category. Devices in this category are great performers in dynamic environments and provide a great experience for a moderately active lifestyle.
Midlevel Hearing Aids
These devices provide a nice mix of features to reduce listening effort in one-on-one, and small group conversations and provide some automatic features for moderately noisy environments. These devices are a good choice for the individual who spends most of their time in more predictable sound environments like their own home.
Base/Essential Level Hearing Aids
These devices provide improvement for hearing in quiet environments and one-on-one conversations. Base level devices have a bit more flexibility. Devices in this level are considered essential to mitigate the effects that hearing loss has on the brain, but price concerns are a major obstacle to treatment.
All device levels offer rechargeable options. Some manufacturers offer an upgraded charger that includes a dehumidifier.
Custom Earmolds
Custom ear molds may be necessary for the best fit and maximum benefit. Custom molds are not included in the price of the aids. Ear mold prices vary from $85 to $125 each.
CROS Microphone
Contralateral Routing of Sound (CROS) microphone options are offered by many manufactures for individuals with single sided deafness. A CROS system is worn on the non-functioning ear and the sound is sent to a hearing device worn on the better functioning ear.
FAQ
Can I Wait to Get Hearing Aids?
In general, as with any health problem, the sooner you do something about the problem the better. Hearing loss happens slowly and the person with the loss is often not aware they are having trouble hearing. The problem with a hearing loss is that every day your brain is not getting the correct information. Instead, it’s getting less information and your brain has to piece that information together to try to make sense of what’s being said. It can be an exhausting process.
The longer you wait to get help, the longer it will take your brain once you do decide to address the problem to re-learn how to process sounds. It will also take time for your brain to re-learn how to separate the speech from the noise. More importantly, while you’re waiting to fix
From the National Institute of Health
One in eight people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older have hearing loss in both ears.
What’s Next?
Getting The Most From Your Hearing Aids
Better hearing is a journey, not a destination. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey.
- Wear your hearing aids every day.
- Your hearing loss didn’t happen overnight, give yourself some time to adjust to better hearing.
- Different environments may require a longer adjustment period. Typically the noiser the listening environment is the longer the adjustment period will be.
- Keep your hearing aids in good working condition.
- Use the hearing aid batteries recommended by your hearing healthcare professional. Off brands can damage a hearing aid.
- Keep your follow-up appointments to allow you time to discuss your questions and concerns.
Pinnacle Audiology
Get In Touch
We'd love to set up a consultation for you or answer any questions you may have.
6809 S. Minnesota Avenue
Suite 101
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
Hours
8:30 - 5:30 MTW
8:30 - 6:30 TH
8:30 - 4:00 F
