Show your loved ones that you really do care.  Do something about your hearing loss today.  You would want them to hear better; why not you?

Lifestyle Hearing Aid Center

Hear Better.  Live Better.

Experience the joy of better hearing today!

Show your loved ones that you really do care.  Do something about your hearing loss today.  You would want them to hear better; why not you?

What does analog and digital mean?

How should I maintain my hearing aid?

How much should I expect to spend?

What can I expect from hearing aids?

Should I have one or two hearing aids?

FAQ Page 2

Q - What does analog and digital mean?

Frequently Asked Questions page 2

Analog and digital are words used to describe how sound is processed. 

 

An analogue circuit is quite simple and cannot be easily modified to meet a person’s specific loss.  I equate an analogue circuit to a car radio.  You can control the bass, the treble and the volume control.  With an analogue circuit you can modify a range of frequencies, but not individual frequencies.  It is basically a modified amplification device. 

 

A digital circuit is much more complex and is usually programmed though a computer.  The key to a digital hearing aid is it’s ability to be programmed to your SPECIFIC hearing loss.  This is where it becomes very confusing to the consumer.  Not all digital hearing aids have the same flexibility so be careful when shopping. 

 

A digital hearing aid’s ability and flexibility can be approximated by how many channels the hearing aid has.  A channel is a section of sound that can be programmed independently from other channels.  Single channel digitals are most likely not flexible enough.  While anything more than four channels is most likely over flexible.  The vast majority of people will hear just as good with a 2-4 channel hearing aid as with a hearing aid that has 5-32 channels.  .Therefore, if you pay for a more expensive hearing aid with more channels, you may in fact be paying for capabilities you just don’t need.  In our offices, we never recommend that anyone overspend.

 

Our staff focuses on your hearing and what will make you hear best for the least amount of money.  In other words, overspending does not equate to better hearing. 

Q - Should I have one or two hearing aids?

 

 

In most (not all) cases it is better to fit both ears.  Here are a few of the many reasons that a binaural (two hearing aids) fitting is more beneficial than a monaural (one hearing aid) fitting.

 

SAFETY.  When a person hears with only one ear, the difficulty in locating sound can be dangerous, especially in traffic.

 

IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING.  Binaural hearing helps you sort out and understand individual voices.

 

RESTFUL LISTENING.  Listening with only one ear is physically tiring and stressful.

 

WIDER HEARING RANGE.  A voice barely heard at 10 feet with one ear can be heard up to 40 feet away with two ears.

 

BOTH EARS STAY ACTIVE.  When a bilaterally hearing impaired person wears a hearing aid on only one ear, the unused ear can lose its ability to hear and understand.

 

CUSHIONS LOUD SOUNDS.  Sudden loud sounds lose much of their jarring effect when divided between ears.

 

HEAR WITH LESS POWER.  Hear more quietly with less background noise interference.

Q - How should I maintain my hearing aids?

 

 

Moisture, dirt and Wax cause well over 97% of all hearing aid malfunctions.  Keep your

hearing aid clean and free of moisture by wiping down and brushing (with an old dry

toothbrush) your hearing aid every night.  We recommend you clean your hearing aid daily with a disinfectant wipe or tissue.  Hearing aids are very durable products and will last a very long time with some simple care.

 

Every few months you should visit your hearing specialist for a more thorough cleaning.  Lifestyle Hearing Aid Center cleans and checks ALL hearing aids for free regardless of where you purchased your hearing aid.  We want to make it easy for you to maintain the health of you hearing aids.

 

For those of you with extra active lifestyles and who perspire often an inexpensive

dehumidifying box or container can reduce moisture buildup and extend the life of your hearing aids.  Cleaners and dehumidifiers can both be found in our office. 

(941) 625-3366

(941) 625-3366