Got Questions? We're all Ears!

How long does a hearing test take?

If you are entering  our clinics for the first time, prepare to be in the appointment for 45 minutes to one hour. First of all, we ask you questions about your medical history and noise history to determine possible causes of hearing loss. The  comprehensive audiologic assessment usually takes about 20-30 minutes and then we sit down with you to explain the results.

If hearing loss is found, we can determine whether further medical referral to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT) is warranted. About 95% of the time, hearing loss is not medically or surgically treatable, but  can be successfully treated with hearing devices.

How much do hearing devices cost?

There is a wide range in costs, so there are a number of factors to consider: level of hearing loss, size/shape of ear canal, lifestyle, personal hearing needs/concerns, and finances. Not one hearing device works for everyone, so prices can range from $1000 each for the most basic hearing device to $4000 each for the most advanced digital technology. There are four levels of technology that are available in any size. The assessment and consultation with your clinician will help determine the best hearing device for your needs.

After I have received my hearing devices, how long do I have to decide whether or not I’m pleased with them?

Getting accustomed to amplification takes time. Your ears and brain need to adapt to hearing differently again. Plus, once we know objectively how the hearing devices are working, we need to fine-tune them based on your daily routine and listening situations. That’s why Expert Hearing Solutions offers the longest trial period in the industry: 100 day, 100% money-back guarantee.

My father had hearing aids and hated them. How has technology changed?

Digital technology and open-platform circuits have totally changed how hearing devices are fit. Digital sound processing coupled with directional microphone technology can sense the differences between speech-like sounds, steady state noise sounds and unwanted sounds behind you in noisy situations such as a restaurant or large group gathering.

Even though we cannot replace the natural hearing that was lost, many people with moderate hearing losses can actually hear better than normal hearing people in noisy situations due to the advancements in technology. The hearing devices are adjusted to fit your hearing loss precisely.

They aren’t just amplifiers anymore. In fact, part of the computerized chip in the hearing device analyzes your listening environment as you’re wearing them. When we see you for follow up appointments, we can tell, by hooking them up to the computer, how you are using them so we can make intelligent, fine-tuning decisions to optimize your hearing by connecting them to the computer.

What are 'open-fit' or OTE style hearing devices?

Open-fit hearing devices have dramatically changed the perception and acceptance of hearing devices. Not only are they very cosmetically appealing, they have significant benefits over traditional styles of hearing devices. They are the most comfortable devices to wear.

Within a few hours, most people do not even feel them in their ears. They significantly reduce or eliminate what is called the occlusion effect (feeling like your head is in a barrel, your voice sounds like an echo chamber, and when you eat everything is very loud). Because the ear canal is kept open, we are not plugging the ear as traditional hearing devices do, and so the internal resonance of sound is dramatically reduced.

Everything sounds natural, not  mechanical, and not so harsh or boomy. The audiologic assessment is very important for determining if these devices could be an option for you.

Do I have to wear two hearing devices?

If you have sufficient hearing loss in both ears that would warrant wearing two, yes, you should wear two hearing devices. Over 85% of fittings today for patients are for both ears. Our testing will help determine how much better you could hear with two ears versus one ear. The biggest reason patients don’t wear two hearing devices is because of cost. We are born with two ears for a reason.

Having two ears gives us localization ability so we can tell where sounds are coming from. The brain also relies on the input from both ears to help us separate speech-like sounds from other sounds. Patients who purchase one hearing device often lose their speech recognition capabilities more quickly in the unaided ear if it is not stimulated. You simply cannot hear as well with one ear as you can with two ears.

Studies have shown that children who are completely deaf in one ear but normal in the other ear, are still 10 times more likely to repeat a grade in school. With our 100 day, 100% money back guarantee, start with two hearing devices and if you really feel that you can “get by” with one, you can still return the other device for your full money back.

I have constant ringing in my ears. What is it, and how can it be treated?

The term is tinnitus (pronounced ti-ni-tus or ti-nigh-tus), and it means the perception of noise in the ears or head when no external noise is present. The most common causes of tinnitus are noise-induced hearing loss, head/neck trauma, adverse medicine reaction or allergy, and autoimmune deficiency.

Click here to go to our tinnitus page for more information.

What do you have for financing options?

At Expert Hearing Solutions, we are flexible in terms of payment. Through our offices, we will take up to four post-dated cheques (no interest) to spread your purchase over a few months time.

I want the hearing devices that get rid of background noise. Which ones are those?

First of all, realize that there are NO hearing devices that completely get rid of background noise. Some noises need to be heard for safety reasons (i.e. a car zooming by as you start to walk across the street). No device is smart enough to distinguish between  what you want to hear   and don’t want to hear.

However, there are two factors that can dramatically improve your hearing in noise: hearing devices with directional microphones and hearing devices with advanced sound processing capabilities. Hearing devices that have directional microphones will help keep sounds that are physically behind you from being heard as much so that you can focus on sounds 4-5 feet in front of you.

Think of this in  a restaurant or group setting. Even with normal hearing, we need to face the person we are talking to in order to hear them in noisy settings. Advanced sound processing in digital hearing devices are getting better all the time at recognizing the difference between speech-like sounds versus other sounds. Speech-like sounds are more enhanced so that there is improvement in clarity.

The next phase in technology that will improve hearing in noise even further is bluetooth technology. See the question below about how bluetooth can improve your hearing.

What is bluetooth technology and is it available in hearing devices?

Bluetooth is a technology that allows two electronic devices to connect wirelessly. The current bluetooth technology available in hearing devices is meant for cell phone use. If you have a bluetooth compatible cell phone, you can connect to the bluetooth adapter in your hearing device and talk on your cell phone without ever taking the phone out of your pocket.

The signal is received into your hearing device and a small microphone in the adapter picks up your voice as you talk. If your computer, television, DVD player or CD player is bluetooth compatible, then you could have a wireless connection right into your hearing device. The next phase in bluetooth technology is for improved hearing in noise. If you go to a restaurant or large group gathering with a friend, you give the person a small lapel mic that can  clip to that person's  shirt/blouse so that your friend's  voice is transmitted wirelessly into your hearing device.

Even people who hear normally will be able to benefit from this technology. FM technology has been available for years improving hearing in noise. However, bluetooth technology is a fraction of the cost. Consult with your local Expert Hearing Solutions clinician for details.

Are there special listening devices available for the television or telephone?

Definitely. TV listening devices are wireless and come in either infrared (like your TV remote) or FM (allows you to be anywhere in the house and listen). Amplified telephones have adjustable ringer tones, ringer volumes, and built in high frequency amplifiers to improve clarity. They also come in cordless options. There are also many assistive listening devices that people don’t even know about: amplified, vibrating, or strobe light signal devices for alarm clocks, doorbells, watches, fire/security alarms.

Consult with your local Expert Hearing Solutions staff for more details.

Should I get custom hearing protection for my noisy job or for running my lawnmower and grass trimmer?

Having proper hearing protection is crucial for preserving your precious hearing. Noise-induced hearing loss is now the most common cause of hearing loss. The good news is 99% of noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. The bad news is very few people protect their ears.

Once damage is done to the inner ear, it’s not reversible. A good rule of thumb  is if you have to speak loudly with the person beside you to communicate because of noise, hearing protection should likely be worn. How long you can be exposed to a sound before permanent damage occurs depends  upon  the intensity of the sound. In our resources section, "Dangerous Decibels" gives you guidelines on how long you can be exposed to various sources or noise we experience every day.

Expert Hearing Solutions makes custom noise protection, plus custom musician plugs, swim plugs, sleep plugs, and IPOD plugs. Creating awareness about the prevention of hearing loss is a very important part of our profession. Consult with your local Expert Hearing Solutions staff for more details. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. Plus, we have  provided for you many links to other helpful websites in our resources section.

Expert Hearing Solutions……From People Who Care.