Hearing FAQs
Earwax can build-up in the ear canal, causing discomfort and sometimes tinnitus. When there is build-up of earwax, tinnitus can occur. Our hearing specialists can help you by removing stubborn earwax. We offer ear cleaning services at all our office locations, so you can hear clearly again.
Tinnitus and vertigo can occur together because they are both disorders that occur inside the ear. If you have suffered head trauma or a blow to the ear, then you may experience ringing in the ears and vertigo/dizziness together.
No, hearing aids do not cause vertigo, dizziness, or any other balance problems. Our sense of balance comes from within the inner ear, in the cochlea. For this reason, you may experience hearing loss and dizziness together.
It may be tempting to put hearing aids off until your hearing loss is worse, but there are advantages to getting hearing aids sooner rather than later. No matter when you get hearing aids, your brain will need to adapt to understanding sounds it hasn’t heard in years. This adjustment period can be much easier the sooner you get hearing aids since your brain will have spent less time without those sounds.
Hearing aids have an average lifespan of 3-5 years; however, they can last you for longer if you take proper care of them. It’s important to clean your devices every day and to bring them in for regular maintenance checks.
If your hearing aid doesn’t seem to be working correctly, try turning it off and taking the batteries out, then reinserting the batteries and turning it back on. If that doesn’t troubleshoot your hearing aid problem, then you should bring them in. We can repair hearing aids in office, so you can get back to hearing your best again.
Adjusting to Your Hearing Aids
It can take time to become fully comfortable with your new hearing aids, especially if this is your first time wearing them. We want to make the adjustment period as easy as possible, so we’ll work with you in any way we need to.
- When you first get your hearing aids, we will program them gradually so you are not overwhelmed by all the sounds you have been missing.
- Over time, we will slowly increase the amplification until you reach your full prescription.
- Give yourself a chance to get used to your hearing aids by wearing them as much as you can, even during the first few days.
- Make notes of anything you want to discuss at your next appointment, such as if your hearing aids aren’t working for you in a particular situation so we can make the necessary adjustments.
- Note that if you have trouble hearing a single person out of a crowd, the problem probably isn't your hearing aids. Some people are just not good at speaking clearly. But if you notice a trend that you can't hear or understand people, that may be a sign that your hearing aids need adjusting.
- Never judge your hearing aids performance based on how the TV sounds. Pay attention to the sound of people talking in real life instead.