Hearing Aid FAQs
On average, hearing aids have a lifespan of 3-7 years. How long they last depends though on how well you take care of them. It’s important to clean your devices regularly and bring them in every six months for a maintenance check to get the most out of your investment.
Hearing aids won’t prevent your hearing loss from worsening, but they do prevent you from losing your speech comprehension. The longer you wait to manage your hearing loss, the more difficult it will be to hear certain words in a conversation. Eventually, your brain will miss those words and begin to forget them. This is why it is important to manage hearing loss at the first signs, so you don’t lose any of your ability to recognize speech.
Yes! Hearing aids now often have a masking feature that can be controlled from your smartphone. With this app, you can choose from a selection of soundscapes that will help distract your brain from tinnitus.
No, hearing aids are not waterproof. You should never wear your hearing aids when swimming or in the shower. Hearing aids are water resistant though and can withstand every day moisture or sweat. Always be sure to store your hearing aids in a dry, safe location when not using them.
Yes, there are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and affects the inner ear or hearing nerve. This type of hearing loss is irreversible but can be managed with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss is less common and affects the transmission of sound from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Causes include earwax impaction, ear infection, fluid in the middle ear, or ruptured eardrum. Conductive hearing loss can be corrected through surgery or antibiotics.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive. Treatment would require attention from a medical doctor for the conductive portion and hearing aids for the sensorineural portion.
Clogged ears due to earwax impaction can make sounds seem muffled or quieter. This isn’t permanent though and once the wax is removed your hearing ability should be restored.
