No! We welcome physician referrals, but you or your family member can conveniently book online or contact us for an appointment.

Yes!  We are able to service and work with a wide variety of brands.  Please contact us to find out more specific information about your situation.

The best hearing aid technology today is much better at reducing the effect of background noise compared to even just a few years ago.

However, satisfactory hearing in background noise is sometimes difficult to achieve because of the hearing loss itself. The loss of tiny hair cells in the cochlea means that both the sensitivity to quiet sounds, and the ability to hear fine details are diminished. We use a range of hearing tests in order to gain our best insight into your real-world hearing ability. It’s fair to say that it’s nearly always worth wearing hearing aids, but we will try and give you the best level of expectation based on your hearing abilities first and the hearing aid technology available. Other people’s experience and opinion on hearing aids is valuable, but it’s no replacement for first-hand experience

There are three main types of hearing loss, and each can be caused by different factors and require different technology or treatments. The three types of hearing loss include:

1. Sensorineural hearing loss: A problem with the auditory nerve or damage to the inner ear. This commonly occurs from damage to the small hair cells in the auditory system.  Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in adults and accounts for more than 90% of hearing loss in all hearing aid wearers. The most common cause of this hearing loss are age related changes and noise exposure.  Sensorineural hearing loss may also be due to disturbance of inner ear circulation, increased inner ear fluid pressure or disturbance of nerve transmission.
2. Conductive hearing loss: When there is a problem with the external or middle ear. This loss happens when sound is not conducted efficiently through the ear canal, eardrum or tiny bones of the inner ear, resulting in reduction of loudness of the sound that is heard. Conductive hearing losses may be due to earwax blocking the ear canal, fluid/infection in the middle ear, obstruction of the ear canal, hole in the eardrum or disease of the middle ear bones.  People with conductive hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, medical implants, medication or surgical options.
3. Mixed hearing loss: When there are problems in the middle ear and inner ear.  Because this type of hearing loss involves both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, treatment options from hearing aids to surgery depends on the symptoms experienced and nature of impairment.

Hearing loss will typically happen gradually.  Sometimes, it’s your family members that will mention that you are beginning to miss things, before you even notice.  If you experience any of the following, please contact us to book a baseline evaluation!

• You feel that people around you are “mumblers”
• You hear the person speaking, but need to ask for repetition.
• You smile and laugh at jokes, even though you may not have understood the whole thing.
• You need to ask for details of the meeting you just attended.
• You turn your TV or radio louder than your spouse or family members in the same room.
• You cannot hear the doorbell or telephone well.
• You find that it’s easier to understand someone if they look at you.
• You miss environmental sounds like birds chirping or leaves rustling
• You avoid some social situations because of the environment or amount of background noise
• You hear a ringing, buzzing or humming sound, especially when it’s quiet.

One reason is that hearing aids are sold in relatively low volume (about 1.7 million hearing aids for some 30 million people with hearing loss). Also, the amount of time and money spent by manufacturers on research and development is considerable. There is also a one- to two-year warranty for loss and repairs included within the purchase price.

Your audiologist can help you make an appropriate choice based on your degree of hearing loss, the shape of your outer ear, the size and shape of the ear canal, your ability to place and adjust the device, any special features you need and any issues with excessive wax or drainage from the ears.