Center for Better Hearing Aids Frequently Asked Questions

(510) 371-5913
190 El Cerrito Plaza
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Center For Better Hearing Aids' staff
Q: As a new user of a hearing aid, what can I expect?
A: "It depends on many factors, including your particular kind of hearing loss. At the very least, hearing in quiet and moderate-noise backgrounds should improve, the hearing aid itself should be comfortable, and your own voice should sound ‘acceptable.’"
Q: How long will it take to adapt to my hearing aid?
A: "Hearing aid adaptation varies with each individual. Some people adapt to them right away; others take longer. In every case, we carefully monitor the progress by seeing the patient as often as needed and making adjustments accordingly."
Q: What do I need to know about feedback noise?
A: "Feedback isn’t much of an issue anymore. Today, we have digital feedback management systems that are effective in canceling out the pathways of acoustic feedback."
Q: Why does my voice sound so odd when I’m wearing my hearing aid?
A: "Some hearing aids, if not properly managed, will create something called the ‘occlusion effect,’ where it sounds like you’re talking in a barrel or experiencing an echo. There are a couple different reasons for this problem, one of which is venting. The occlusion effect can often be resolved when venting is properly applied. Another reason your voice may seem odd is that you’re hearing it in a different way than you’re accustomed. In most cases, people adjust rather quickly. Of course, it’s crucial that the right hearing aid be recommended in the first place."
Q: How do I determine if I’m a candidate for a hearing aid?
A: "You can come in for a series of seven or eight audiometric tests to see if you’re a good candidate. We also take your lifestyle into consideration by having you fill out a form that gives us a personal assessment of your hearing problems."