Frequently Asked Questions
Some telltale signs include general difficulty understanding speech. You may hear that someone is speaking, but it is not clear what they are saying. You may think they are just mumbling, but others don't seem to have a problem understanding them. You also may have particular difficulty hearing in loud environments, such as restaurants. Another common sign is that you keep the TV volume louder than some members of the household would like. All of these are signs that you should probably have a hearing test. Anyone over the age of 60 should have their hearing tested regularly.
Short answer: absolutely. Even mild hearing losses have a serious impact on our brain health and overall well-being. When you have a hearing loss, your brain has to work harder to hear. This is a burden. Hearing loss has been repeatedly linked to lower quality of life, higher risk of falls, depression, and even dementia. Treating your hearing loss substantially decreases these risks. The longer you wait to treat your hearing loss, the more difficult it is to treat. Just as you have an annual physical and regular eye exam, you should also have a regular hearing exam.
Maybe. Balance is very complex. Part of our sense of balance comes from specialized organs in our inner ear. Sometimes issues with the inner ear or these specialized organs can cause dizziness and/or vertigo (a room-spinning sensation sometimes resulting in nausea or vomiting). An audiologist who specializes in vestibular disorders can perform a comprehensive assessment to identify the potential cause of your balance issue. Currently, Wise Hearing Care does not offer vestibular services, but we can refer you to a qualified provider who does.
Yes. Hearing aids can be a phenomenal tool to help correct hearing loss. A key component to one's success with hearing aids is the skill of the provider. It is always advisable to see an experienced audiologist who follows best practices and who will spend time to counsel you about how to successfully use hearing aids in your own unique listening situations.
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are now available to adults with mild permanent hearing loss. For these individuals, OTC devices may be helpful in some situations. But, it's important to keep in mind that they are not for everyone. Before spending money on OTC devices, you should have a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist who can educate you about appropriate treatment and management options. It may be that you have a hearing loss that can be corrected with medical intervention, or that your hearing loss is too severe to notice any improvement with OTC devices. Or, it may be that OTCs are a reasonable option. An audiologist can help guide you in the right direction.
First, just because you have earwax doesn't mean you need to be worried about it. Earwax is there for a reason. It protects our ear canal and eardrum from foreign bodies, and it's antimicrobial. It only becomes an issue when it builds up and causes a blockage. For most people, this rarely happens because our bodies naturally regulate wax production. As we age, however, this ability diminishes. Avoid cotton swabs; they can just pack it in deeper. Certain over-the-counter drops can help (e.g., Debrox). Sometimes, an audiologist or other healthcare provider will need to remove the wax with an ear flush or manually remove it with special tools. If you're someone who frequently has a lot of wax build-up, let a professional remove it.
Wise Hearing Care is a fully mobile practice. We offer in-home care or telehealth services.
No. "Boothless" audiometry has been around for years and has greatly improved with modern equipment that can monitor ambient noise levels. As long as ambient noise levels are within acceptable limits, the results obtained outside of a booth are equivalent to those obtained in a sound booth.
We accept Medicare and a growing number of private insurance policies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and United Health Care. Feel free to call or send a message to confirm whether or not we accept your policy. We do not presently accept Medicaid. We also offer out-of-pocket options at a fair rate.
A growing number of insurance companies are beginning to cover at least part of the cost of hearing aids. Medicare, unfortunately, still does not. You can check with your insurance company directly and ask what coverage they offer. Also feel free to call and we can check for you. Please note that Wise Hearing Care does not participate in third-party discount plans, such as TruHearing, United Healthcare Hearing, and others.