HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS WE REGULARLY ANSWER AT ADRIATICA AUDIOLOGY:
Q. WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?
A. You should bring a close friend or a loved one. This is very important, we need a familiar voice to map your hearing loss against. You should also bring federally issued photo identification, insurance cards, a list of your medications, and your current hearing aids (if you already wear them).
Q. HOW LONG WILL MY APPOINTMENT LAST?
A. You should plan to be at our office for two hours during your first appointment so we can thoroughly test your hearing and demonstrate the technology. Your first follow up appointment will last between an hour and an hour and a half. Adjustments and check ups typically last between 15 and 30 minutes.
Q. HOW MUCH DO HEARING AIDS COST?
A. The cost of hearing aids depend on the severity of loss and desired features. We have hearing aids that fit every lifestyle and budget. We also have convenient payment plans available and we will work with your insurance to see if you have any benefits available.
Q. WHAT BRANDS OF HEARING AIDS DO YOU CARRY?
A. Adriatica Audiology offers hearing aid technology from most of the major manufacturers. We specialize in Siemens Hearing Aids, but we carry Starkey, Oticon, Hansaton, Phonak, and more.
Q. CAN YOUR HEARING AIDS PAIR WITH MY PHONE?
A. Yes. Several of our hearing aid models pair with Bluetooth devices like smart phones, speakers, and TVs. This technology can alleviate the common complaints of hearing aid users by piping sound directly into your hearing aids.
Q. DO YOU ACCEPT ALL MAJOR INSURANCE?
A. Yes. Most insurances are accepted. We also have payment plans available with approved credit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON HEARING AIDS & HEARING LOSS
HOW DO HEARING AIDS WORK?
You probably think that hearing aids just detect and amplify sound. While you are correct, they can also do much more than that! They are programmable to your specific hearing loss to fit your lifestyle. If you have difficulty hearing in Church, at a movie theater or during a play, we can create a program just for you. At the touch of a button, you can adjust your hearing aid to your environment. Or, with certain models, you can control them entirely with your smart phone. The Siemens Binax, for example, has several intelligent features to make hearing much easier. It will focus only on the speaker in front of you and tune out all other background noise.
WILL HEARING AIDS WORK FOR ME?
This question in particular is why we developed our two week trial system. In our opinion, it is unfair to ask you to invest so much in a pair of hearing aids that you aren’t sure will fit into your lifestyle. Before you even put money down, we let you trial your new hearing aids for 14 days. We want to make sure you are making the best decision for your hearing loss and needs. We want to partner with you on your hearing journey to find the technology that will work with your lifestyle and budget.
WHAT CAUSES HEARING LOSS?
Most hearing loss results from inner ear damage. Frequently, hearing loss develops because the aging process and/or long-term exposure to loud noise has caused hair cells in the ear canal that transmit sound signals to the brain to deteriorate. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes have also been linked to hearing loss since they impair blood flow, which can damage the inner ear. Properly-fit hearing aids is the only treatment for this type of hearing loss and, unfortunately, it cannot be reversed. Certain causes of hearing loss are temporary and can be medically treated. These include ear wax (cerumen) build up, middle ear infections, and malfunctions of the middle ear bones. A diagnostic hearing examination will determine the type of hearing loss you have and how it should be treated.
CAN HEARING AIDS IMPROVE MY QUALITY OF LIFE?
Hearing aids improve your quality of life in many ways. Hearing well gives you confidence and allows you to relax when interacting with others. You don’t realize how much work you’re doing to understand until it becomes second nature again. Being confident and self assured in social situations can be difficult if you are constantly struggling to hear. Hearing aids can also improve relationships with family and friends. Communication is key to any healthy relationship and if you start to have miscommunication or stop communicating, strife, arguments, and stress can occur. Hearing aids improve your safety as well. Not hearing a siren while you are driving can be incredibly dangerous. Think of all the other things you could miss too: a dog barking, a smoke alarm, a window breaking, a car when you are walking or biking, and more.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A HEARING LOSS?
Hearing loss can be hard to detect because it is mostly noticeable when interacting with others. Here are some common symptoms of hearing loss:
- People constantly seem to mumble
- You can hear voices, but can’t understand what is being said
- You frequently have to ask others to repeat themselves
- Speaking on the telephone is difficult
- You can’t hear everyday sounds like a faucet dripping or your car door dinging
- You have difficulty understanding if the speaker isn’t facing you
- Others complain that you speak too loudly
- Others complain that your TV or radio is at too high of a volume
- Group conversations with more than two speakers are difficult to follow
- Understanding speech in crowded environments like a mall or a restaurant is difficult
- Higher voices like women’s or children’s are difficult to hear and understand
