Earwax can hinder normal hearing and can be a problem for those with hearing aids. Cerumen, as earwax is known, is usually dispersed through normal washing, but it has been known to build up severely.
Audiologists at Audiology & Hearing Center of Tampa can quickly clear earwax and show you techniques to keep your ears clear.
One common hearing health problem throughout the country is tinnitus. Ringing in the ears is a condition that often occurs with hearing loss, especially due to aging. This ringing, buzzing or whooshing sound might be constant or intermittent. It is not curable, but there are treatments available to help people cope with tinnitus symptoms.
Many people with tinnitus use external sound to combat the phantom noise. Music, television and noise machines work well. A fan or portable heater can make noise that masks tinnitus symptoms. Many people use these techniques to sleep.
Some tinnitus sufferers can use prescribed medication to help ease tinnitus noises, but this is rare and can be risky. Other treatments include brain training, a technique that helps your brain learn to put tinnitus into the background of your experience.
Hearing devices are precision instruments that contain small parts and tiny wires. Sometimes a part can break or fail. In these cases, repairs and resetting are required.
Usually, the staff at Audiology & Hearing Center of Tampa can diagnose and repair your hearing aid, but it could need repairs at an authorized repair center. We can quickly take care of this need. We can also clean your hearing aid to check that other functions are working properly. The goal is to have your hearing device working at top efficiency.
Every hearing device is a small computer with amazing capabilities. Hearing aids are available that connect wirelessly to phones and computers, are programmed for your unique hearing capabilities and environments, and even pairs of devices that communicate with each other.
Fitting a hearing aid begins with finding the right size and power for your needs, then custom fitting to your ear canal. Every device is molded for your ear, whether you wear the power cell in or outside the ear canal.
Just as important as fitting is the testing and retesting of the device to settings for your specific needs. Hearing aid functions are checked using a computer and your descriptions of the sounds you hear. There is never a “final” setting. Audiologists will always be available to recheck and adjust your devices to offer the maximum hearing benefit
The question most often asked of our audiologists is, “do I need hearing aids?” After hearing tests and other evaluations, we determine the type and extent of your hearing loss. You might need one or two hearing aids.
The evaluation process includes factors other than the extent of your hearing loss: the use of small hearing instruments, maintenance of the devices, whether they have batteries or are rechargeable, and more. Not everyone is comfortable using the tiniest of available hearing aids.
Our staff offers detailed discussions about the types, sizes and features contained in every hearing aid we offer. Call today for more information.
Your first visit to our office begins with a hearing test. The diagnostic evaluation is usually performed if you were referred after a hearing screening. Depending on your age, degree of hearing loss and other factors, tests include bone and tympanic checks, and speech recognition.
Audiologic evaluations also check your inner ear response, auditory nerve response and the interpretation of sound in the brain.
