Audiologists hold masters or doctoral degrees from accredited universities with special training in the prevention, identification, assessment and non-medical treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists are required to complete a full-time internship and pass a demanding national competency examination. By virtue of their graduate education, professional certification and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing tests and provide hearing aid services. (Courtesy of the American Academy of Audiology)

If you answer YES to any of the following questions, you should have a hearing test.

1. Do you notice that people tend to mumble or not speak clearly?
2. Do you hear words, but not understand them?
3. Do you ask people to repeat themselves, or speak louder?
4. Do you have a history of significant noise exposure from time served in the military or any work or recreational environment?
5. Do others complain that the television is too loud?
6. Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant or crowded room?
7. Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears?
8. Do you find it difficult to understand speech on the telephone?
9. Do you hear better with one ear compared to the other?
10. Do any of your family members have hearing loss that began at a young age?

A hearing test, known in our office as an audiological evaluation, is a diagnostic tool of determining the softest level (decibel) of your hearing across a wide range of pitches (frequency). Then, to ensure accurate and valid results, specific speech tests are used. We also determine your ability to understand speech at an appropriate hearing level. Based on the results, we may recommend further tests, medical intervention by a doctor, or a hearing aid evaluation.

The first step to determine if you could benefit from hearing aids is to have a hearing test. From the results of an accurate, diagnostic audiological evaluation, we can determine if you are a candidate for amplification or medical treatment. In our office, we work closely with the physicians regarding your case and recommend hearing aids if your audiological results reveal a hearing loss that cannot be improved with medical intervention or after you and your physician choose not to pursue medical treatment.

Following your hearing test, a hearing aid evaluation will be recommended if you are a candidate for hearing aids. The hearing aid evaluation gives us specific information we use along with the results of your hearing test. Your audiologist will describe in detail the various hearing aid sizes and types of technology. Then, we discuss with you the advantages, disadvantages, and realistic expectations for each size and circuit as it relates to your hearing loss. We provide information and our expertise to allow you to make an educated decision about your hearing healthcare.

Unfortunately, there are some people who do not find appropriate benefit with hearing aids. There are several issues that are critical to a successful adaptation to hearing aids. It is likely that a hearing aid user is not successful if the following issues are not managed appropriately.

• Does the user have a good, comfortable fit?
• Does the user have realistic expectations based on their hearing aid size and technology? It's very important that your expectations match not only the limitations of your hearing loss, but the type of hearing aid you received.
• Did the user receive effective counseling regarding the adaptation to new hearing aids during their initial adjustment period?
• Are the hearing aids functioning properly?

To ensure success with hearing aids, our audiologists work closely with the patient to be sure these issues are addressed. We offer a 30-day adjustment period for all hearing aids. Any time during the 30 days you can return your aids less a professional services fee.

(Please note that the 30-day period is a state law and should be offered to you no matter where you go in the state of Texas.)

Digital refers to how the signal or sound that enters a hearing aid is processed. It is best understood when being compared to analog processing. In a digital hearing aid, the signal is converted into numbers so that it can be manipulated through mathematical calculations without causing any distortion. The resulting sound is a clearer signal that results in improved hearing and understanding. These calculations and adjustments are performed quickly and automatically even in changing sound environments.

The national average life of a hearing aid is around 5 ½ years. This can vary due to:

1. whether or not the technology is sophisticated enough to be reprogrammed,
2. how well the hearing aid is taken care of by the patient,
3. how well the hearing aid is maintained by the audiologist,
4. if the patient's hearing changes dramatically (whether it's expected or not) and
5. if the patient replaces their current instrument because new technology is released.

To maintain our patient's hearing aids, we offer lifetime FREE in-office cleaning, programming, and care for those who purchase their aids from us. For as long as you have the aids and come to us, we will happily take care of your complete hearing healthcare needs (and of course, having 4 physicians in-house simplifies a lot of things when problems arise).

Noise does not have to be that loud to damage your hearing. Lawn mowers, motorcycles, concerts (even those from decades ago), power tools, gunfire, and jet engines are all loud enough to damage your hearing. You should always wear hearing protection (either form-fitted or disposable).

In most cases, if you have hearing loss in both ears, you would probably benefit from binaural amplification, which means to wear two hearing aids. Two hearing aids do the most for optimizing communication. Binaural amplification has been shown to improve one's ability to localize sounds and to understand speech in noise. The brain needs input from both ears in order to separate sounds effectively. Two hearing aids also allow both ears to be stimulated to lessen the possibility of auditory deprivation. Remember, if you don't use it you lose it! If you have reduced vision in both eyes, would you just wear one lens? Not likely.

Everyone that gets a new hearing aid must go through an adjustment period. New users have to adjust to physically having something in the ear, making a hearing aid part of a daily routine, and hearing the new sounds. Think about how long one's brain might get used to not hearing, well then, think about how it takes time for the brain to adapt to hearing sound again after getting hearing aids. The time it takes to adjust to the aids varies from person to person, but anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This is why being fit with hearing aids is not an overnight process.