Hearing Aids

From the chronicles

Fix Bluetooth connectivity problems with hearing aids and cochlear implants

Did you know that a frequent reason for calls to hearing aid clinics is issues with Bluetooth connectivity? Here are my top three troubleshooting tips: #1 For cochlear implants, when you change the batteries, or for hearing aids, when you close the battery door or pull the hearing aids out of the charger, make sure […]

You should wear your hearing aids consistently– here is why!

Some fascinating research outlines why it is important to wear hearing aids consistently: In the second half of the experiment, some were able to ride a bicycle! If they had been able to remove the goggles for any length of time during the experiment, the results would not have been the same; the brain […]

A personal remote microphone makes an impossible listening situation…possible!

The difference between listening through hearing aids only and listening through hearing aids plus a remote microphone is astounding. Here is a 44-second clip to demonstrate the difference in a noisy situation. Related post: Take the “Try” out of your hearing aid trial period

Find out for sure before getting an over-the-counter hearing aid (OTC)

If you are considering an over-the-counter hearing aid, are you sure that your hearing loss is not treatable? Some people have hearing problems due to treatable conditions, like impacted wax. Others may have conditions or diseases that place them at risk for hearing loss. Exclusion criteria from the American Academy of Otolaryngology include ear pain […]

This is important to know before getting over-the-counter hearing aids (OTCs)

Are you considering an over-the-counter hearing aid (OTC)? OTCs are meant for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Research shows that people are not great at estimating their hearing levels, and they tend to underestimate the severity of their hearing loss (Tsimpida et al, 2020). See a hearing care professional for a hearing test […]

Are you considering an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid?

Are you considering an over-the-counter hearing aid (OTC)? Make sure you pick one that uses the information from your hearing test in the fitting process. OTCs that are pre-set do not take into account the degree and configuration of your hearing loss. If you have never had a hearing test, see a hearing care professional first. […]

Considering an over-the-counter hearing aid: the Matrix edition

When considering an over-the-counter hearing aid (OTC), a rabbit hole awaits. It’s not obvious that there are two categories of OTCs: pre-set and self-fitting. The pre-set ones are just that; they are pre-set. Your hearing sensitivity levels are not considered. Self-fitting hearing aids may or may not incorporate your hearing thresholds into the fitting process. […]

No hearing test needed for an over-the-counter hearing aid!

My advice: make sure you pick an over-the-counter hearing aid that uses the information from your hearing test in the fitting process. If you have never had a hearing test, see a hearing care professional first. If you don’t have access to a hearing care professional for a hearing test, you can use online […]

How to find the best hearing aids?

How to find the best hearing aids? I wouldn’t advise asking on Facebook what other people think of brand X or Y. I frequently see this on social media. I am researching Over-the-Counter hearing aids for a presentation at the symposium for Alberta Association of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta. I am struck by the […]

Hearing aids are not like glasses: there’s an adjustment period!

If you are like the average person, you’ve waited seven years before getting hearing aids. Seven years! When years pass by without hearing some sounds (such as high-pitch sounds), the brain changes. Here is what we think happens: if you have a high-pitch hearing loss, you won’t be able to hear soft high-pitch sounds. The […]