Advanced Hearing Aid Technology for East Texas

Do you picture those ugly, bulky, and frustrating devices your parents or grandparents used to wear whenever someone mentions hearing aids? Just like what happened with cell phones, today’s hearing aid technology is worlds away from what it was a decade or two in the past.

Hearing aid technology has rapidly progressed over the past decade, allowing manufacturers to produce devices that are smaller, lighter, more stylish, and discreet without sacrificing processing power. Many modern hearing aids include natural sound clarity, the capacity to control background noise, advanced features like long-lasting rechargeable batteries, and the capacity to link other digital devices, such as your cellphone, television, and computer to your hearing device.

“Is there a place to get hearing aids near me?”

There sure is! Audiological Services of Lufkin provides advanced technology hearing aids for individuals throughout East Texas who need a little help to hear better.

A senior male hold a prescription hearing aid near his ears

Audiology Services Partners with Major Hearing Aid Manufacturers

The choices we offer our patients include a broad range of technologies from brand name manufacturers, like:

Oticon logo
Phonak logo
ReSound logo
Signia hearing aids logo
Starkey logo
Unitron logo
Widex logo
Siemens hearing aids logo

With so many available hearing aid options, you’ll appreciate the help our hearing aid specialists can provide when it comes time to choose the device that best fits your needs and lifestyle.

Our Selection Process and Quality of Service Guarantee

Hearing aid fitting at Audiological Services in Lufkin, TX

Hearing aids come in a variety of sizes, colors, costs, designs, and different levels of technology and features, making it difficult to select the best one for you. Our hearing aid specialist will help guide you through the selection process by helping you consider your needs and preferences, such as:

  • Processing power to address your unique hearing challenges
  • Accommodating your manual dexterity and visual capabilities
  • Meeting your budget
  • Addressing your wearing discretion and cosmetic concerns
  • Taking skin sensitivities into account
  • Addressing your anatomical/medical considerations

In addition to fitting you with the right hearing aids, our Audiological Services Quality of Service Guarantee includes:

  • 30-day trial period
  • Reprogramming
  • Free Clean & checks (scheduled maintenance)
  • Troubleshooting

FAQ’s About Hearing Aids

Dummy

Q. How do I know that hearing aids are right for me?

A. Has your family been advising you to get your hearing checked? Are you struggling to communicate well with others, keep up with your active and independent lifestyle, or are unable to enjoy conversations in a noisy restaurant or at a social event?

These and other indicators could mean that you would benefit from hearing aids, but the only way to know the truth is to consult an audiologist for a professional comprehensive hearing assessment.

Q. Will hearing aids cure my hearing loss?

A. No. Hearing aids provide assistance to your hearing through sound processing and amplification, but they cannot restore the natural functioning of your ear. However, wearing hearing aids slows the progression of deterioration while limiting cognitive decline and helping correct balance and vertigo challenges.

Q. How long do hearing aids last?

A. Most hearing aids have a service cycle of between five and seven years if they are well taken care of with regular scheduled maintenance, tune-ups, and repair. However, most audiologists advise their patients to upgrade every five years so they can take advantage of the newest technologies in a rapidly changing industry.

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Q. Do hearing aids use special batteries?

A. Yes. Modern hearing aids use zinc-air batteries specifically designed for hearing aids. You’ll be able to find the size and type of batteries you need for your hearing aids in most pharmacies and supermarkets.

Q. How long do hearing aid batteries last?

A. The service life of a hearing aid battery depends on the type and quality of battery, how many hours per day you wear your hearing aid, and whether they are exposed to a lot of moisture. Weekly changes are common with smaller batteries, but larger batteries can last two to three weeks.

Q. How long does it take to get used to hearing aids?

A. Each person’s experience is unique, so accurately predicting how long it will take you to adapt to your hearing aids is difficult. The new sounds and amplification that are the result of sound processing shock the central auditory system of your brain, requiring time to acclimate and relearn how to process information.

Most manufacturers allow a 60-day trial period, which is ample time for most people to adjust to their hearing aids and evaluate their benefits. During this time, your hearing care provider will equip you with coping strategies as well as provide ongoing adjustments and support to help speed up the process.

Q. Why do hearing aids cost so much?

A. In comparison to the cost of leaving your hearing untreated, they are actually inexpensive. However, the research and development that goes into hearing aids as well as the fact that they are sold in relatively low volume (about 1.7 million hearing aids for some 30 million people with a hearing loss) and the industry standard one- to two-year warranty for replacement and repairs all affect the purchase price.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) with Earmold

Hearing AId Styles

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) with Earmold

BTEs with earmolds fit mild through profound hearing losses. Their longer shape follows the contour behind the outer ear and can house many features, including a program button and volume control. The earmold color and style, as well as the wearer’s hairstyle, determine exactly how they’ll look on each person.

Mini BTE hearing aid style with Slim Tube and Tip

Mini BTE with Slim Tube and Tip

Mini BTEs are designed to hide behind the outer ear and have ultra-thin tubing to discreetly route sound into the ear. The tubing connects to a soft tip that sits in the ear canal but doesn’t occlude it. The result is a natural, open feeling as airflow and sound enter the ear naturally around the tip, while amplified sound enters through the tip. This is known as “open fitting” and is recommended for mild-to-moderate high frequency losses.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aid style

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)

RIC models are mini BTEs that have the speaker of the instrument incorporated in the ear tip instead of in the main body of the instrument. RIC instruments fit mild-to-severe hearing losses. This hearing aid style looks similar to the Mini BTE when worn on the ear.

Full Shell or In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aid style

Full Shell or In-the-Ear (ITE)

Full shell models sit flush within the outer ear bowl. Their size allows the maximum number of additional controls and features such as directional microphones, which require space on the outer portion of the instrument. They use a larger battery size than the smaller styles and can fit a larger receiver with enough power for even some severe hearing losses. Because of their flexibility, they’re widely recommended for mild-to-severe hearing loss.

In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aid style
In-the-Canal (ITC)

ITC instruments sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl, making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they’re slightly larger than CIC models, they have a longer battery life and can host additional features such as directional microphones for better understanding in noisy environments and controls such as volume controls. They fit mild and moderate hearing losses.

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) hearing aid style

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC)

The smallest custom style, CIC instruments, fit deeply and entirely within the ear canal. They fit mild-to-moderate hearing losses and offer high cosmetic appeal, as they’re nearly invisible when worn.

Invisible-In-the-Canal (IIC) hearing aid style

Invisible-In-the-Canal (IIC)

The smallest custom style, IIC instruments, sit invisibly in or past the second bend of the ear canal. IIC devices are specifically designed for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Schedule an Appointment

There are plenty of online and OTC hearing aid dispensers as well as the capacity for people to use the internet to self-diagnose and self-treat, but the wrong device or a poorly programmed device can cause severe damage to your hearing. The safer option is to consult Audiological Services for a professional hearing assessment, proper selection, fitting, and ongoing support.

If you hope to solve your hearing challenges rather than exacerbate them, start a hearing care partnership with us by submitting the adjacent form to schedule a hearing assessment.

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