hearing care faqs
What is a Bluetooth Hearing Aid – and Is It Worth It?
A Bluetooth hearing aid is a modern hearing device that uses Bluetooth technology to connect wirelessly to your smartphone, tablet, or TV. This allows you to stream phone calls, music, podcasts, and audio directly to your hearing aids, giving you clearer sound and more convenience.
Bluetooth also means you can adjust your hearing aids with a smartphone app, so you can customize programs and settings right from your phone.
If you want better sound quality, hands-free calls, and advanced features, Bluetooth hearing aids are absolutely worth it.
Can Hearing Loss Be Prevented?
Yes—noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. To protect your hearing:
Turn down the volume on headphones and audio devices
Limit exposure to loud environments
Wear hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) at concerts, sporting events, or when using power tools
Taking these steps can help you avoid permanent hearing damage.
Can Hearing Loss Be Reversed or Cured?
Most types of hearing loss—such as those caused by aging, noise exposure, illness, or ototoxic medications—cannot be reversed or cured.
However, hearing loss from earwax buildup or ear infections can often be treated by a hearing care professional, restoring normal hearing.
If you experience sudden hearing loss, seek immediate help from an audiologist or hearing specialist. Early treatment is critical.
What Are the Different Types of Hearing Loss?
Sensorineural Hearing Loss – Most common; caused by inner ear or nerve damage (aging, noise exposure, injury or disease, genetics).
Conductive Hearing Loss – Sound can’t travel through the outer or middle ear (earwax, fluid, injury).
Mixed Hearing Loss – A combination of both types, often due to trauma or medical conditions.
What Happens If I Ignore Hearing Loss?
Untreated hearing loss can lead to:
Communication difficulties
Social isolation and anxiety
Higher risk of falls and safety issues
Cognitive decline
If you suspect hearing loss, see a hearing care professional as soon as possible.
Common Signs of Hearing Loss
Asking people to repeat themselves
Turning up the TV or radio volume
Difficulty hearing on the phone
Feeling tired after conversations
Avoiding social situations
What Causes Age-Related Hearing Loss?
Presbycusis is hearing loss due to aging. It usually affects both ears and is sensorineural. Factors include:
Changes in auditory structures
Family history
Noise exposure
Certain medications
Can Tinnitus Be Cured?
There’s no medical “cure” for tinnitus, but it can be managed effectively. Treatments include:
Hearing aids with tinnitus masking features
Sound therapy
Counseling techniques
Work with a hearing care professional to find the right plan.
Do Hearing Aids Help Treat Tinnitus?
Yes! Hearing aids an be an effective tool for managing tinnitus. They will often reduce tinnitus perception by amplifying external sounds and reducing contrast with internal ringing. Many devices include built-in tinnitus relief programs. While hearing aids don’t “cure” tinnitus, they can significantly reduce how much it affects your daily life.
Can My Medication Cause Tinnitus?
Yes, some medications can cause tinnitus (that ringing or buzzing in the ears) as a side effect, particularly those that are ototoxic (medications or chemicals that can damage the inner ear or the auditory nerve), either temporarily or in rare cases persistently.
Whether your specific medication is known to do this depends on the drug and the dose. If you are experiencing tinnitus, it is important to let your health care provider know so they can review your medication list and make any adjustments if needed. Please do not stop taking medication without talking to your prescribing doctor first.
What Are the Best and Worst Ways to Clean Your Ears?
The best way to clean your ears is to let them do their job—ears are naturally self-cleaning. Earwax (cerumen) usually works its way out on its own. You can gently wipe the outer ear with a damp washcloth, but avoid going inside the ear canal.
If earwax builds up and causes discomfort or affects your hearing aids, seek help from a hearing care professional, ENT doctor, or your primary care provider. In some cases, over-the-counter or prescription ear drops can help soften wax before removal.
The worst ways to clean your ears include:
Cotton swabs – These push wax deeper, risking eardrum damage and even hearing loss.
Ear candling – Inserting a lit candle into your ear is ineffective and dangerous.
Sharp objects like hairpins or toothpicks – These can scratch your ear canal or puncture the eardrum.
Can Ear Infections or Earwax Cause Hearing Loss?
The best way to clean your ears is to let them do their job—ears are naturally self-cleaning. Earwax (cerumen) usually works its way out on its own. You can gently wipe the outer ear with a damp washcloth, but avoid going inside the ear canal.
If earwax builds up and causes discomfort or affects your hearing aids, seek help from a hearing care professional, ENT doctor, or your primary care provider. In some cases, over-the-counter or prescription ear drops can help soften wax before removal.
The worst ways to clean your ears include:
Cotton swabs – These push wax deeper, risking eardrum damage and even hearing loss.
Ear candling – Inserting a lit candle into your ear is ineffective and dangerous.
Sharp objects like hairpins or toothpicks – These can scratch your ear canal or puncture the eardrum.
What Should You Expect During a Hearing Test?
Our hearing care professional will:
Examine your ears visually
Perform tests using headphones, bone conduction devices, or speakers
Possibly conduct tympanometry to check middle ear health
Afterward, they’ll review your results and recommend solutions tailored to your hearing loss and lifestyle.
How Often Should You Get Your Hearing Checked?
Adults without hearing problems: every 3–5 years
Age 60 and older: annually, even if you think your hearing is fine
Hearing aid users: follow our recommendation for regular checkups
How Do You Know If You Have Hearing Loss?
Signs include:
Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in noise
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
Turning up the TV or radio volume
Feeling like others are mumbling
Hearing ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
Modern hearing aids use digital sound processing, AI, and wireless technology to deliver clear sound in any situation. They automatically adjust to different environments and distinguish speech from noise for a better listening experience.
The best hearing aids are constantly analyzing the environment, making millions of adjustments per minute, and are smart enough to distinguish between speech and noise so they don’t just make everything louder. Our hearing care professionals can recommend the best technology for your individual needs.
How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?
Today’s best hearing aids are more durable than ever. Many of them are actually waterproof and sweatproof and designed to handle the daily grind we know people put them through!
Regular care and maintenance is required, including daily cleaning and proper storage. If you maintain your hearing aids, they can typically function well for about 3-to-5 years, although many people like to upgrade their hearing aids sooner as technology is continuously changing and delivering new and more beneficial features.
Why See a Hearing Care Professional for Hearing Aids?
Hearing care is healthcare. Just as you visit your doctor, optometrist or dentist for your healthcare needs, you should visit a hearing care professional for your hearing needs. Professionals provide:
Comprehensive hearing tests
Medical referrals if needed
Personalized hearing aid recommendations
How do I get used to wearing my hearing aids?
Hearing aids aren’t like glasses where the moment you put them on everything magically gets clearer. It takes time to get used to hearing aids, because your brain needs to adjust to hearing sounds you haven’t heard for a while.
The best way to get used to wearing your hearing aids is to wear your hearing aids. Wear them in your normal daily listening situations, whether quiet or noisy environments.
This gives your brain the opportunity to adapt to hearing the world as you did before having a hearing loss. For some people this can happen in a matter of weeks; for others it may take several months.
Working with our hearing care professionals can provide adjustments and counseling to make sure you hear your best in every situation.
What are 5 good reasons to have my hearing aids checked?
1. EQUIPMENT SENSITIVITY
The microphones and delicate electronics inside your hearing aids can lose calibration. They should be checked at least once a year and re‑calibrated if necessary.
2. CHANGES IN YOUR HEARING
Just like your vision, your hearing can change over time. When your hearing changes, so should your hearing aid prescription and settings. A small change can make a big difference!
3. INSPECTION AND REPAIRS
Moisture, perspiration and ear wax can damage your hearing aids’ electronics. Routine cleaning and checks are recommended to ensure continued performance.
4. BATTERY LIFE
Inefficient operation can drain battery life. Routine maintenance can maximize the hours per battery your hearing aids deliver.
5. WE ALWAYS ENJOY SEEING YOU
Keeping up with current events with you and your family is important to us. We love to see family photos!
