Do you ask people to repeat themselves during a conversation? Is hearing in a crowded restaurant nearly impossible? These are signs of hearing loss and are fully treatable with hearing aids. At Ear, Nose & Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center of Fredericksburg, our Fredericksburg, and Stafford, VA, ENT physicians will diagnose your hearing problem and fit you with the assistive device best suited to you.
FAQS about hearing aids in Fredericksburg
How can a hearing aid help me?
Hearing aids contain a tiny sound receiver, amplifier to increase volume and speaker to send sound right into your ear. Most hearing loss can be corrected (but not cured) with a simple increase in volume. Additionally, today's digital hearing aids help the wearer locate the direction of sounds and to filter out extraneous sound so human speech is clearer and louder.
Are there different kinds of hearing loss?
Yes, there are three basic types: conductive, involving the ear canal and bones of the middle ear, sensorineural, impacting the hair cells and auditory nerve, and presbycusis, the deficit usually associated with the hearing loss. Your otolaryngologist will tell you what kind of hearing loss you have, and your audiologist will fit you with the type of hearing aid best suited to that loss, your lifestyle and your personal preference.
Aren't hearing aids ugly and cumbersome?
On the contrary, today's hearing aids are totally unnoticeable or so discreet that no one will know you're wearing them. They are small and operate on state of the art digital technology which can even interface with your smartphone.
Is it hard to adjust to a hearing aid?
Everyone is different, but in general, most people adjust to their hearing aids quickly. However, the longer you wait to wear hearing aids, the longer your period of adjustment is likely to be. So, your friends at Ear, Nose & Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery in Fredericksburg agree that routine hearing exams beginning at age 50 greatly benefit people.
Do hearing aid batteries wear out quickly?
In general, the tiny hearing aid battery has a lifespan of about a week. However, battery life depends on how long you wear your device each day, say experts at John Hopkins University.
How long do hearing aids last?
Behind the ear hearing aids tend to last longer than in the ear devices, says Healthy Hearing. However, much depends on how well the wearer treats the device, takes it for maintenance, keeps it free of wax and skin oils and stores it securely when not in use.
Contact us
If you wonder if a hearing aid could help you, contact one of the convenient locations of Ear, Nose & Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center in Fredericksburg or Stafford, VA. Your friendly consultation with our ENT doctors and audiologists will lead you down the path to better hearing. Call today: (540) 371-1226.