FAQ
TOP QUESTIONS WE HEAR FROM OUR PATIENTS
“I can hear sounds, but I can’t hear clearly”
Most people associate hearing loss with a lack of volume, however it’s the higher frequencies, the clarity end of the spectrum that give us meaning and definition in speech.
If you find yourself baffled when someone standing in the kitchen, boiling the kettle, asks if you would like a "cup of keys", "a cup of peas", or "cup of cheese" you know you are in need of hearing aids.
“I tried hearing aids, but I gave up after about a month”
There is a really important concept that is often overlooked during audiological appointments- acclimatisation. And it is the hardest ask of anyone new to hearing aids- why? Put simply, when the brain is receiving new stimuli, you need time to adapt and adjust- this is called neural plasticity.
Sadly, most new hearing aid wearers are not educated to be aware that the acclimatisation phase is linked to ‘flight or fight’ responses of the brain- and this is an extremely powerful inhibitor of accepting the new sensations and sounds. In other words, people give up before the brain has had a chance to acclimatise and adapt to the new levels of amplification.
“I tried hearing aids but I could hear absolutely everything- even the squeak in the fridge door”
A good clinician will account for all the ‘annoying’ or more bothersome aspects of your hearing aid amplification and will make sustained adjustments to the aid acoustics.
Modern hearing aids have hundreds of adjustment parameters and all the hearing aids we fit have the option of fully customised programs- so yes, soft sound amplification can be reduced.
“I still can't hear clearly enough on the phone or watching TV”
One of the most dramatic improvements in volume and clarity has been the addition of Bluetooth functionality to hearing aids.
With the addition of an accessory, the audio signal from your computer, TV or stereo amplifier can be like a private broadcast to your hearing aids via Bluetooth. Meaning the hearing aid wearer can be watching the midnight tennis at full volume with their hearing aids while the normal speaker output for the rest of the household is ‘silent’ or on mute.
“I get sick of changing the batteries every couple of days.”
We always recommend rechargeable hearing aids over size 10, 13 or 312 battery systems. The additional cost of rechargeable hearing aids far outweighs the inconvenience of having to carry a small pack of batteries with you all the time.
Rechargeable kits can also come with emergency recharge battery packs- meaning, you can be away from a charging source for a whole weekend and still be able to recharge your hearing aids on the go using the on-board battery.
“What's the treatment for tinnitus?”
Sadly, google isn't the answer. Tinnitus is an idiopathic condition and everyone's response to it is subjective- meaning that tinnitus for one person may be bearable and for the next, catastrophic. We've had excellent results from various hearing aid stimuli, but there are also successful trials in Australia with neuromodulation (tDCS) which we are aware of.
Annoying or distressing Tinnitus requires assessment and a customised approach which we are able to offer.
"Can I change workers comp hearing providers?"
Absolutely. Just like any other medical service, you have a choice of providers. Get in contact if you have industrial deafness and need your workers comp hearing aids replaced. If you have Coal Mines Insurance or any other hearing aids, we are happy to serve you.
Can't get an appointment in time? Ask for one of our same week service appointments.
"Does earwax affect hearing aid performance?"
Hearing aid manufacturers will readily admit that 90% of all aid maintenance issues relate to earwax debris. Aid receivers and moulds by design are seated in the canal- and attract debris like a magnet.
It's not uncommon for aid users to be incidentally impacting earwax deeper into the canal over time- eventually leading to hearing aid feedback.
Regular maintenance of the ear canal- clearing out cerumen- will reduce instances of aid feedback and of course reduce the amount of mould cleaning, wax guard or speaker changing required for a hearing aid wearer.
"Do you do home visits?"
If you or a relative have difficulties getting into one of our clinics- please tell us. We are happy to conduct visits to nursing homes or residential care facilities.