Hearing FAQs

At Drexel Hill Hearing Aid Center, we believe getting hearing aids should be easy and stress-free. We want you to feel confident that you're making the right decision. That's why we strive to be open with you and to answer all of your questions to your satisfaction. You should never feel like you're being kept in the dark about your own hearing.

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"David Epstein was very courteous and very helpful. He has taken his time to explain everything in detail to me. I was very happy with his service. I like this hearing aid because I can adjust it for my needs."

- Helen R.

FAQs about Hearing Aids

With three decades of experience in this field, we've seen hearing aid technology grow and change. Below, we've gathered some common questions we hear from our patients.

Getting a hearing test will let you know if you have hearing loss and, if so, what can be done to treat it. Here are some common signs you may have hearing loss and could benefit from being tested:

  • Turning the TV volume up
  • Asking people to repeat themselves
  • Having difficulty understanding people on the phone
  • Nodding and smiling along with jokes you can't hear
  • Feeling like everyone around you is mumbling
  • Avoiding situations where you have to communicate with others
Every person's hearing loss is unique, but beyond that, there are three categories that all hearing loss falls into — conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss (a combination of the other two). If you have conductive hearing loss, we will recommend that you go see a physician to have it treated. Sensorineural hearing loss, or damage to the hearing nerve, is the kind of hearing loss that responds to hearing aids. A hearing test will reveal what kind of hearing loss you have so we can determine the right hearing solution for you.
If properly cared for, hearing aids will last about 3–7 years. Although the hearing devices themselves may not break down within that time, they will be more likely to develop problems the older they get. Additionally, because hearing aid technology continues to advance every year, patients usually find that they want to take advantage of new technology even before their hearing aids are no longer working.
We will tell you how often you can expect to be replacing your hearing aid batteries because, that depends on the nature of your hearing loss and the size of your hearing aids. Typically, severe hearing loss requires more power from your hearing aids, which drains the batteries more quickly. However, there are also rechargeable hearing aids available if you would prefer not to change the batteries yourself.
Many times patients come to see us and aren't sure if they are ready to wear hearing aids or not. We won't push you to do anything you aren't ready for, but there are advantages to treating your hearing loss sooner rather than later. Wearing hearing aids means that your brain is exposed to the sounds you can now hear thanks to hearing aids, which can keep the part of your brain that processes sound healthy and active. The more information your brain gets, the better off it is in the long term.
Getting hearing aids can be a period of transition. It's best to go into it with realistic expectations and understand that you probably won't get used to your hearing aids overnight. It will take patience and usually a few days to a few weeks. You should notice that you become more comfortable each day, and eventually your brain will adapt to the new sounds you're hearing. Just make sure you keep wearing your hearing aids even if they seem a little overwhelming or uncomfortable at first. If you're really uncomfortable or things don't improve in the first few days, we are available to make adjustments until you're happy with your hearing aids.

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