About Hearing

Frequently Asked Questions
• How do I know if I need to get a hearing test?
• What can I expect during a hearing test?
• Why should I see an Audiologist instead of a Dispenser?
• What is tinnitus?
• Can ear wax really cause hearing loss?
• How do I communicate with someone who has hearing loss?
• Why do some hearing aids whistle?
• What causes itchy ears?

How do I know if I need to get a hearing test?
Hearing loss usually happens gradually and slowly, therefore it can be dicult for the average person to detect. We recommend a regular hearing check-up for all individuals over the age of 65 because hearing loss is very common in that age group. In addition, here is a check list to see if you need to have your hearing looked at:
• In conversations, you can hear but you can’t understand clearly.
• Others seem to mumble or slur their words more than usual.
• You often ask others to repeat what they have said to you.
• You have difficulty hearing the tv or radio at a normal volume level.
• It is especially difficult to understand speech when two or more people are speaking, and therefore you avoid attending group situations (like family gatherings, meetings, social situations).
• Your family and friends tell you your hearing has deteriorated.
• You have ringing or noises in your ears.
• You can hear better in one ear than the other.
• You find men’s voices easier to understand than women’s voices.
• You have difficulty hearing on the telephone.
If any of the above items apply to you, call us today for a complete hearing evaluation.

What can I expect during a hearing test?
A hearing evaluation is an important first step in getting help for your hearing, and is a comfortable and often pleasant experience for many people.

Plan on spending at least an hour in your Audiologist’s office. During your visit, your Audiologist will perform a case history and do a thorough visual check of your ear canal. Three basic tests will be administered; a tone test, a speech test, and an impedance/compliance test.
Tone tests provide information about how softly a person can hear tones of dierent frequencies (pitches). For this test you will wear either headphones or a soft foam earplug and hear sounds generated from a machine called an audiometer. From this test we can also learn which part of the ear is not working properly.
Speech tests are done to double check the accuracy of the tone test, provide information about how you hear, how softly you can hear and understand speech, and how well you can distinguish different words at different volumes. During this test, you will wear headphones just like in the tone test.
The impedance/compliance test is also called tympanometry. The purpose of this test is to evaluate how well the middle ear is working. An instrument will be inserted gently in your ear canal and you will feel some air move in and out. There will be no pain but you may feel some slight pressure in your ear.
At our offices you can expect to be greeted cheerfully and treated respectfully and gently during your visit.


Why should I see an Audiologist instead of a Dispenser?
An Audiologist is a professional who has undergone extensive training in the science of hearing in order to evaluate and treat people with hearing loss. Audiologists hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited university, must complete a clinical fellowship year, and pass a demanding national competency examination before receiving their national credential, the CCC-A.
The credential of “CCC” stands for Certificate of Clinical Competence. This credential is awarded by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and represents the standard of excellence in the field of hearing.
Audiologists are also governed by ASHA’s code of ethics as well as specific treatment guidelines for the care of patients. Simply put, if you haven’t seen an Audiologist, then you haven’t received the standard of care that your hearing deserves.
Hearing Health Care Center consists of Licensed, Certified Audiologists and Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialists, often referred to as Dispensers, who specialize in your hearing care. When you visit us, our Audiologists will provide a thorough examination of your ears. An examination is important not only to assess whether you are a candidate for hearing aids, but also to detect developing conditions that could require medical attention. If, after a thorough examination it is determined that you are a candidate for amplification, we will work with you to provide just the right hearing aid to match your unique hearing needs.
Dispensers are trained to fit aids but are not diagnosticians and have no medical training. If you are using a dispenser, make sure that he or she is Board Ceritified.


What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the term used to describe the constant ringing of the ears. Individuals with tinnitus may hear sounds such as hisses, high pitched hums, chirps, whistles, roaring, bells ringing, or other various noises. These constant noises, although subjective in nature, can be very debilitating. Tinnitus suerers can have trouble sleeping, concentrating when at work, or even enjoying some of the simple pleasure activities of life.
It is estimated that 50 million Americans suer from this irritating disorder. Tinnitus is usually caused by loud noises that damage the ear. It can also result from ear or sinus infections, Meniere’s disease, medications, head and neck trauma, circulatory problems, misalignment of the jaw or tumors.
There are several treatments for tinnitus. Because tinnitus is commonly associated with hearing loss, hearing amplification is one of the most common methods of treating tinnitus. For a list of treatment methods, go to the American Tinnitus Association’s web site at www.ata.org.
The ATA is dedicated to helping individuals who suffer from tinnitus and can provide additional information on this debilitating disorder.


Can ear wax really cause hearing loss?
Yes, but this is rarely the case. Ear wax is a pesky little problem that we all have to deal with from time to time. We seem to see this problem more commonly in older patients and patients who wear hearing aids. The human ear canal produces a waxy oil called cerumen. Cerumen is actually beneficial and serves to protect the ear from dust, micro-organisms, and foreign particles which could enter the ear canal and damage the ear.
Although the ear is usually self cleaning, sometimes the cerumen builds up and a blockage may occur. This blockage can cause a mild hearing loss and typically is only of a temporary nature. You should see your physician or Audiologist for the proper removal of ear wax.


How do I communicate with someone who has hearing loss?
• Get the person’s attention before you speak by touch or calling his/her name.
• Get close & on the same level sitting or standing.
• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. NEVER shout or exaggerate your mouth movements.
• Use facial expressions and gestures. Be patient, positive and relaxed.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Notice lighting. Good lighting on your face makes you easier to understand.
• Eliminate or reduce background noise. (Turn off tv or radio, move to a quieter room, etc.).
• Reword rather than repeat when you are not understood.
• Don't put objects in front of your face or have objects in your mouth such as gum, cigarettes or food while you are speaking.
• Politely double-check for the person’s understanding. When in doubt, ask for suggestions to improve communication.


Why do some hearing aids whistle?
Many of us are familiar with the high-pitched squeal that hearing aids can emit from time to time. This “whistling” is about as annoying as having to listen to someone scratch finger nails on a chalkboard! There are several causes of this pesky problem.
One common cause of “whistling” is an ill-fitted earmold or hearing aid. Generally speaking, the earmold or hearing aid is too “loose” in the ear canal. This “loose fitting” allows the amplified sound to escape from the ear canal and in turn be picked back up by the microphone of the hearing aid. If this happens, feedback (whistling) occurs.
Another common cause of “whistling” is due to a blockage or obstruction within the ear canal. Typically, wax is the obstruction. We often see this problem in our practice and simply removing the wax from the ear canal will cause feedback to abate.
And finally, some hearing aids only need to be adjusted electronically to eliminate feedback. Some of the newer digital hearing aids have an automatic feature which can be activated to reduce or eliminate that annoying squeal. The best thing to do if your hearing aid is whistling is to see your Audiologist so that the exact cause of your whistling can be determined and corrected.


What causes itchy ears?
It is natural to occasionally experience an “itch” in our ears, but chronic itching is a more of a problem. There are three most likely causes of chronic itchy ears: a lack of hydration (dryness) in the ear tissues, allergies, and topical infections. We live in a relatively arid climate and this “dryness” can also aect our ears. Proper hydration (drinking water) and over-the-counter products which “lubricate” the tissue of the ear will remedy this problem.
Allergies can also be the culprit behind itchy ears. Typically the ear tissue will become inflamed, swollen and itchy. This problem can also be treated with over-the-counter products, although sometimes a prescription is necessary.
Finally, topical infections can exist in the ear canal. We see this problem more commonly in patients who wear hearing aids. This problem seems to respond best to prescription medication. All of these problems can cause our ears to “itch”. If you have chronic “itchy” ears you should see your doctor or Audiologist. We carry a selection of over-the-counter products in our offices that are helpful in treating itchy ears.