Frequently Asked Questions
Audiologists are healthcare professionals who evaluate, diagnose, and treat hearing loss and other auditory conditions, such as tinnitus. Audiologists also provide valuable insight and products to help you prevent hearing loss, like protective custom earplugs. Audiologists are trained to work with all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Audiologists have an advanced degree in audiology. Currently, audiologists are required to obtain a doctoral degree and must be licensed by the state in which they practice.
Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone and transmit it into the ear through a speaker. Your hearing aids will be programmed by our audiologist to provide you with the perfect amplification to help you hear sounds. The hearing aid system is complex, but on a basic level hearing aids amplify sounds while filtering out background noise.
There are many medications that are toxic to our hearing and can cause tinnitus. Some of the most common medications that are known for causing a ringing in the ears include:
- Aspirin
- Benzodiazepines
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Certain antibiotics
- Isotretinoin (Accutane)
- Beta blockers
- Certain cancer medications
At Valley Hearing Center, we carry a large selection of hearing aid supplies and accessories. Whether you need extra batteries, domes, wax guards, or a protective case, we carry almost everything for your hearing aids. In addition to our many accessories, we also carry assistive listening devices that can make your listening experience easier.
If you have a pain in your ears, you may have an eardrum perforation. This can be caused by loud sounds, a foreign object in the ear, head trauma, ear infection, or rapid pressure changes. If your ears are bothering you, schedule an appointment for an audiological examination. We can look inside your ears and diagnose any condition. If you have a perforated eardrum that needs surgery, we can refer you to an ENT.
Hearing aids typically last between 3-7 years, depending on how well you care for them. When brought in for regular maintenance and cleanings, hearing aids can last you for many years. Many hearing aid brands release new technology every 3 years. For this reason, many patients like to upgrade their hearing aids every 3-5 years to take advantage of the new technology.