faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hearing aids make my hearing worse?
No, hearing aids will not make your hearing worse. Today’s hearing aids have volume limits that prevent sound from ever reaching a level that could cause damage.
This false notion probably comes from the perception new users experience when taking off their hearing aids. When wearing new hearing aids, a person hears sound that they were unable to hear before; and when they take off the hearing aids, it immediately becomes apparent how much sound they’ve truly been missing.
Do I get a trial period if I try hearing aids?
Absolutely. Academy Hearing Centres prides itself on providing spectacular customer service. We want you or your family member to have the best possible experience. We provide up to a 90 day trial period with all hearing aid fittings. During this trial period, our clinicians will do our very best to program the hearing aids and accessories appropriately to your hearing loss needs. We recommend the best hearing aids based on your hearing thresholds and listening needs; however, if you would like to try another style, manufacturer or model – this can be done at no extra charge. You may also completely return your hearing aids to our clinic within the trial period and receive all monies back. Simply put – we just want you to be happy with your decision.
What should I do if I get lots of wax?
It is very normal for our ears to produce wax. Our ear canals have glands that secrete cerumen (ear wax) whose purpose is to trap dust and other particles from getting deep into our ears potentially causing damage and infection. Cerumen should naturally migrate out of the ear canal; however, those individuals with small, narrow or collapsed canals may experience more difficulty getting wax out of their ears.
Wax impaction may occur if the cerumen cannot make its way out of the canal. This may cause the individual to have decreased hearing, experience dizziness, ear pain, pressure/fullness, ringing in the ear or itchiness.
Cerumen can either be flushed out of the ear if too deep, or removed with a tool called a curette. Ear candling and/or using a cotton swab are NOT recommended.
A family physician or hearing health professional will be able to assist with cerumen removal or refer you to a specialist for further assistance.
Whenever I’m working out, my ear buds tend to fall out of my ears. Is there anything available that can help me?
Yes there is. Custom ear products can be built in two different ways:
The first option is sending an impression of your ear along with your ear buds. The ear bud would pop into the custom built ear mold which precisely fits your concha.
The second option includes custom building of a product that would eliminate the need for an ear bud altogether. This high quality product with single or dual drivers fills up the concha of your ear which creates a tight fit eliminating outside noise and allowing you to concentrate on your music and workout. This is perfect, crisp sound quality for any sort of audiophile.
Can listening to music with my headphones/earphones cause hearing loss?
It depends on the person, it depends on how long you are listening, and it depends on the level at which you’re setting your headphones/earphones at. Headphones, earphones appear to be the most damaging. Since noise-induced hearing loss is a result of loudness and duration of exposure, these devices may be capable of inducing a permanent hearing loss.
Why can I hear but the sound isn’t clear?
About 95% of hearing loss is sensorineural and is commonly referred to as “nerve damage”. This type of hearing loss is usually a result of the aging process, noise exposure, and several other factors. People with sensorineural hearing loss describe this hearing loss as an inability to hear speech clearly and frequently misunderstand what people say. They describe speech as sounding muffled, and report understanding conversation when in crowds and background noise as very difficult. Loudness is usually not as much a problem, mostly clarity of words. Sensorineural hearing loss is rarely treated by medical intervention and hearing aids are the most common method of treating the hearing problems associated with it.
How do I know which hearing aid will work best for me?
Not all hearing aid sizes and styles are made to suit everyone’s needs. Different hearing aids work better for different people. If you are thinking about investing in a hearing aid, there are a few things to consider when looking for the most appropriate device for your condition.
The type of hearing aid you invest in depends on the nature and sensitivity of your hearing loss. Together, you and the hearing health professional will determine which type of hearing aid is best for your needs. They will recommend different hearing aid devices for people with a mild degree of hearing loss than for those with severe hearing loss. Determining what kinds of hearing aid features are useful and/or practical for you and your lifestyle is also important.
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