Choosing the Best Houston Audiologist for Hearing Evaluation

Hobbies are great! Nothing beats finding something you love to do and being able to share it with other like-minded individuals. For many in the Houston area, hunting is the go-to hobby. Many learned how to handle a riffle while in the backyard with their dad shooting at old tin cans. That love you felt as a child has carried through into adulthood. You may even be passing on the tradition to your kids or grandkids!

Unfortunately, years of hunting in the Houston area with no ear protection usually leads to hearing loss. Do you find yourself asking people to repeat what they just said more than normal? What about turning the volume up on the TV to a point where others have to ask you to turn it down? Having trouble hearing while talking on a telephone? If so, you may be experiencing hearing loss.

Never fear! Your local area Houston audiologist is here to help! Once you take the plunge and call to schedule an appointment, they will bring you in for a hearing evaluation. This involves a series of tests that are used to determine your type and degree of hearing loss. This is important information as your audiologist will use this for the next phase, treatment!

There are a number of treatment options. The most common is use of a hearing aid. Easier said than done. There are an ever growing number of hearing aids with different styles created by different manufactures. Your Houston audiologist is able to help you with this decision, determining which hearing aid would work best for your degree of hearing loss and if any additional features you may require will be able to fit on that model. 

In addition to help choosing your hearing aid, your Houston audiologist will review ways you can prevent your hearing form getting worse. This includes always wearing hearing protection, especially while hunting. 

Earmolds for Hearing Protection in Houston

Have you ever been to the dentist (or orthodontist) and had an impression taken of your teeth with that sticky goop? Makes sense, everyone’s teeth are different and your dentist needs to have an exact mold in order to create an apparatus that fits snugly. If a dentist will do this for teeth, why don’t audiologists do this for your ears?

They do! Audiologistsin Houston, Texas can take a mold of your ear for a number of reasons. Many hearing aids require a custom earmold in order to sit securely in your ear. Earmolds can be used as protection as well. Swimmers, hunters and musicians can all benefit from custom-made earmolds.  Earmolds for swimmers are made of lightweight and waterproof silicone material to ensure they float and no water can enter your ear while swimming. Hunter’s earmolds are created to block out dangerously loud gunshot noises while at the same time letting softer sounds in, ensuring your ears are protected and you can still maintain awareness of your surroundings. Earmolds for musicians are able to reduce sound levels evenly, so music and speech sound clear and not muffled. This allows the musician to hear every detail of the music but also reduces the risk of noise-induced-hearing-loss.

While some earmolds can be used for used for very specific purposes (such as swimming), custom earmolds can also be purchased for general hearing protection. Going to concerts, attending a sporting event and even walking on the side of busy street in Houston are all situations that put you at risk for developing noise-induced-hearing loss. A pair of custom earmolds can provide protection against all of these.

Earmolds come in many different shapes and sizes. They can be made of acrylic, vinyl and silicone. Acrylic molds are the hardest material; they are resistant to breakage and are the easiest to repair. But they lack flexibility, which means they are difficult to place into a small ear (especially a child’s ear). Molds made of vinyl are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and are softer than acrylic molds but sturdier than silicone. They produce a better seal but can become misshapen over time. This means they need to be replaced more often. Silicone molds are the softest and most flexible. They produce the tightest seal and are extremely durable. They are also difficult to insert in the ear because of how soft they are and can rip easily.

The only way to figure out the type of earmold that will work best for you is to discuss the options with your local Houston audiologist. They are the experts!

Blinging out your hearing aid

Hearing loss is extremely common; 48 million individuals in Houston, Texas and throughout America suffer from some form. While hearing aids and other visible treatment options (such as cochlear implants and assistive devices) are not the treatment choice for everyone, they are a viable alternative for many of these individuals.

If you are one of these 48 million, have you ever thought about the possibility of updating the look of your hearing device? While adults are more than welcome to participate and let their glitter-loving selves out, children may be more likely to take advantage of these tips.

The easiest way to customize your device is to just buy an accessory. There are many companies that sell fashionable clips, jewelry and pins that can be attached right to the hearing aid. Some even offer alternative designs for the hearing aids themselves; what’s more funky than an earring that is also part of your hearing aid?

Stickers are also an easy way to customize a device. You can buy stickers or print them off the Internet onto special vinyl sticker paper. Make sure the device is clean and dry before applying any of these stickers. Don’t forget to decorate for the major holidays!

Nail foils are small and intricate stickers for nails that can also be applied to hearing devices. Some websites provide excellent tutorials on how to apply these.

Something else to keep in mind, the next time your child needs new earmolds made, find out if they come in other colors. Some places in Houston are able to place pictures, logos or even glitter into the molds.

Customizing your child’s hearing aid to stand out is an excellent way to show them that hearing loss is nothing to be embarrassed about. Brightly colored and fun devices are the first step in starting a conversation. Your child will soon get used to answering questions about the device and their condition; this will help them feel more confident in themselves and will help them spread the information on to others. 

NYE Part 3 – Hearing Aid Fitting

NYE Part 3 – Hearing Aid Fitting – Premier Audiology (Houston Hearing Cares)

The time has finally arrived, after months (or years) of debating if you should take the first step, you did. You made the appointment, went to the visit and after sitting through a few tests, have chosen the perfect hearing aid. Now, you got the call that the device you and your area audiologist decided upon is finally ready in Houston, Texas.

Before you arrive to the office, your audiologist in Houston will unbox the hearing aid and use a computer program to set it up with your hearing loss preferences. When you arrive for your visit the hearing aid will be all ready to turn on.

After making sure the hearing aid fits comfortably in your ear, it will be turned on. Things may sound weird; you probably aren’t used to hearing all the sounds of Houston. Your audiologist will perform a few tests to make sure the hearing aid is picking up and amplifying sounds to the right level.

Your audiologist will then explain how to use any of the advanced features your hearing aid contains. These can normally be customized to fit your lifestyle. You will learn the proper care and maintenance for your hearing aid; this will help keep the device working to its full potential for as long as possible.  

This sounds like a lot of information. The good news is, before leaving the office you will schedule a follow up visit. This visit is just to check in to see how the hearing aid is working for you and to see if anything needs to be adjusted. You can also contact your audiologist’s office anytime if you have any questions once you leave.

Houston has a 30-day return period for hearing aids. This ensures if you are not happy with the device you purchased after trying it out, that’s ok! You can return the device and work with your audiologist to figure out which design will work better for your level of hearing loss.

New Year’s Resolution – part 2 Hearing Aid Evaluation

Once you have worked with your Houston, Texas audiologist to determine the cause and extent of your hearing loss, the next step is to decide on the course of treatment that is right for you.  To make your decision you should take hearing aid style, the level of technology you need and the final cost of the device into consideration.

Hearing Aid Style

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)

·         Smallest, least visible style

·         Fits inside the ear canal

·         Smallest battery, shortest battery life

·         No extra features due to size

·         Works for mild and moderate hearing loss

In-the-canal (ITC)

·         Fits half inside the ear canal and half outside

·         Slightly larger battery, slightly longer battery life

·         Contains a few features

·         Works for mild and moderate hearing loss

In-the-ear (ITE)

·         Fits in the outer portion of the ear with two styles, full shell (most of the outer ear) and half shell (only the lower part of the ear)

·         Larger battery, longer battery life

·         Contains more features

·         Works for mild to severe hearing loss

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

·         Contains two parts, one that fits behind the ear and one that fits inside the ear canal, connected with a tube

·         Largest model

·         Largest battery, longest battery life

·         Contains the most features

·         Works for mild to severe hearing loss

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) and Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)

·         Contains two parts, one that fits behind the ear and one that fits inside the ear canal, connected with a thin wire

·         Less visible than the BTE model

·         Large battery, long battery life

·         Contains the most features

·         Works for mild to severe hearing loss

Technology

Telecoil (T-coil) Enabled Devices

·         T-coil works as a miniature wireless receiver

·         Picks up electromagnetic signals and turns those signals into sound inside hearing aids

·         Allows the user to directly connect with a hearing loop, FM and infrared system

Bluetooth Enabled

·         Bluetooth works as a wireless receiver

·         Allows user to directly connect with any Bluetooth enabled devices – cell phone, MP3 player, TV

Cost

Hearing aids differ in cost between offices, even within Houston. Generally, the more features and the more advanced the hearing aid, the higher the cost. So you can get an idea:

Behind-the-ear style range from $1,850 to $2,700

Receiver-in-the-ear range from $1,200 to $2,700

Completely-in-the-canal range from $1365 to $2,860

In-the-canal range from $1,300 to $2,750

In-the-ear range from $1,200 to $2,700

Once you and your Houston audiologist have weighted your options and decided on which make and model is right for you, the next phase of the process is to be fitted for your hearing aid. This process will be explained in next week’s blog post! 

Hearing Loss Prevention Tips for Fall

As the leaves begin to change, you should consider changing your hearing healthcare habits, too. Several autumn activities in Houston can cause noise-induced hearing loss without proper hearing protection. Texans of all ages should take extra precautions to protect their ears from hearing loss during fun fall activities. Here are some great tips to prevent hearing loss in Houston residents young and old.

Use Earplugs to Prevent Hearing Loss
When you are going to be exposed to loud sounds, wear earplugs to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus. Disposable earplugs made of foam or silicone are readily available and will allow you to hear music and conversations while blocking dangerously loud sounds. Custom ear protection crafted from earmolds will perfectly fit the unique contours of your ears, guaranteeing a snug, proper fit and dependable protection from hearing loss and other auditory problems.

Limit Time in Noisy Settings
Take steps to limit the length of time you spend in loud environments. When participating in noisy activities, make sure to give yourself periodic quiet breaks to allow your ears to recoup and fight hearing loss.

Keep the Volume Low
When listening to music, playing video games, watching a movie at a Houston theater or watching TV—especially through headphones or earbuds—keep the volume turned down. If others around you can hear what you’re listening to, it’s too loud.

Leave Leaf Blowing to the Professionals
Leaf blowers become a necessity once fall is in full swing, but they represent an extreme noise hazard and can cause hearing loss in just one use. The sound produced by some leaf blowers at close range can cause permanent hearing loss in under 15 minutes. If you aren’t willing to hire a professional landscaper to do the work, consider replacing older models of leaf blowers with newer models that offer reduced decibel output. Even the quietest leaf blowers available are likely to gradually damage your ears, so always wear quality or custom earplugs during yard work.

Realize the Risks for Football Season
Throughout the greater Houston area, football fans are gearing up for another fun season. There’s no better way to support your team than cheering wildly with fellow fans at a live event, but there’s also no better way to permanently damage your hearing. Any sound over 85 dB should be considered potentially dangerous, and noise over 120 dB is known to cause instant, permanent sensorineural hearing loss. Last year, Kansas City Chiefs fans set a new record for loudest stadium at 142.2 dB—that’s louder than a gunshot, jet engine or fireworks. Whether you’re attending a high school or college game, or you’re heading to the Texans stadium, earplugs are essential to your hearing safety.

Talk to an Audiologist
Your Houston audiologist can help you find a solution for preventing hearing loss that fits your lifestyle. Options for protecting your ears without compromising your performance are available for a wide range of activities. From specialty musician’s plugs that let you hear the notes risk-free to hunter’s plugs that enhance ambient noise while preventing hearing loss from gunshots and explosions, a solution exists for all activities and lifestyles.