Contra Costa County – Hearing Aids

There is great variety of warranties for your hearing aid. Carefully read exactly what is included and what is not included in the warranty. You should write down and ask these questions to ask about the warranty of the hearing aid you choose.

• What parts of hearing aid are covered by the warranty?
• What if the hearing aid gets lost?
• What if the hearing aid get damaged?
• How long does the warranty last?
• After the initial warranty ends, can additional coverage be bought?

There is great variety of warranties for your hearing aid. Carefully read exactly what is included and what is not included in the warranty. You should write down and ask these questions to ask about the warranty of the hearing aid you choose.

• What parts of hearing aid are covered by the warranty?
• What if the hearing aid gets lost?
• What if the hearing aid get damaged?
• How long does the warranty last?
• After the initial warranty ends, can additional coverage be bought?

There is great variety of warranties for your hearing aid. Carefully read exactly what is included and what is not included in the warranty. You should write down and ask these questions to ask about the warranty of the hearing aid you choose.

• What parts of hearing aid are covered by the warranty?
• What if the hearing aid gets lost?
• What if the hearing aid get damaged?
• How long does the warranty last?
• After the initial warranty ends, can additional coverage be bought?

Hearing aid centers in Contra Costa County provide a vast array of hearing services. Each individual hearing aid wearer may have special needs or might require specific types of care. This list is a general overview of the hearing aid services.

Assistive Listening Devices in Contra Costa County
A variety of assistive devices are provided by hearing aid centers. The devices range from specialized telephones for those with hearing loss to devices to help hear the television more clearly.

Counseling and Rehabilitation
After being fit with a hearing aid, it is important to have counseling time to adjust and become comfortable with this product. Counseling and rehab centers will provide individual counseling for each hearing aid user and the family. The family’s input is important also during this time.

Ear molds, I-Pods, Swim Molds, Musician Molds, Hearing Protection
Many specialty ear molds are provided for various areas of life.

Hearing Aid Accessories
Many hearing aid accessories can be purchased, for instance telephones with volume control, pocketalkers, phone pads, battery testers, dry aids  to keep the hearing aids dry inside, hearing aid care kits, and more.

Hearing Aid Batteries
Two types of batteries are available: rechargeable and disposable. The size of the battery will depend of the size of the hearing aid. 5 – 14 days is the average time a battery will last, depending on how many hours a day it is worn.

Hearing Aid Evaluations in Contra Costa County
A series of test are given to determine the hearing loss of an individual. Hearing loss can vary from mild to profound. An accurate evaluation will give valuable information to make recommendations.

Hearing Aid Repair in Contra Costa County
If you need to find a place to repair your hearing aid, compare prices and research the company thoroughly. Use the internet to see if the problem can be fixed at home. Always check your warranty first, so that you know if the problem can be fixed under the warranty.

Hearing Aid Replacement
Hearing aid replacement is used if repair isn’t possible, or if a technology upgrade* (because of new technology) would be a better help to the* hearing aid user’s needs.

Hearing Aid Supplies
Many stores carry hearing aid supplies. Your hearing aid center or online searches will help you find the best prices.

Hearing Amplifier
Hearing aid amplifiers are set up to both stop adding gain above a certain level of volume or add less gain when the volume gets louder.

Commonly Requested Hearing Aid Brands

• Beltone Hearing Aids
• Phonak Hearing Aids
• Rexton Hearing Aids
• Resound Hearing Aids
• Sonic Innovations Hearing Aids
• Starkey Hearing Aids
• Unitron Hearing AIds
• Vivatone Hearing Aids
• Widex Hearing Aids
• Zounds Hearing Aids

advanced noise reduction hearing aids
Noise reduction hearing aids doesn’t actually reduce the noise. Where there is noise and speech, it does reduce the amplification of the frequencies. When a fan is on, the hearing aid will amplify the speech more than the fan. The more advanced noise reduction hearing aids work to break up the frequencies into smaller units.

Also known as: background noise reduction hearing aids

analog hearing aids
Analog hearing aids uses your audiogram to amplify the sound, and this is used in many hearing aids.  It is either conventional or programmable. Conventional aids will equally amplify all sounds; therefore, some sounds will be loud, and other sounds too soft. This can be corrected when the volume is adjusted.

analog hearing aids (programmable)
Analog hearing aids can be programmed to different settings. These settings can be saved, so the person can switch to the setting that works best in the current environment.

assistive listening devices (ALD)
Devices designed to assist people who have hearing loss function better in certain situations. Some examples are: amplified telephones, induction loop systems, FM systems, and infrared systems.

audiogram
Audiograms are a graph of a person’s hearing threshold levels. It shows the softest sounds  a person can detect at different frequencies. Also it shows the lowest and highest pitches heard.

Also known as: hearing test, hearing loss test, hearing frequency test

audio induction loop
An assistive listening device where wire is placed around a room and connected to audio devices, like a television. This creates a field that will transmit sound to hearing  impaired people wearing hearing aids. Inside the loop, sound is clear without any background noise.

audiologist
A health care professional educated to assess a person’s hearing loss and other hearing problems (i.e. tinnitus). A variety of procedures are used to check hearing function, then assist in choosing hearing aids and other hearing devices.

Also known as: hearing doctor, hearing aid provider, hearing specialist, ear doctor, pediatric audiologist

aural rehabilitation
People with hearing loss go to rehab to learn to improve their speaking and communication. abilities.

automatic volume control hearing aids
Hearing aids that adjust automatically and instantly to make loud sounds comfortable and soft sounds louder.

Also known as: self-adjusting hearing aids

bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA)
BAHA’s are a special bone conduction hearing aid. It will transfer the sound through the skull, not the ear canal. It does that through a surgically implanted post. The hearing aid attaches to this post. The vibrations go through the hearing aid, to the post, to the skull, to the cochlea to help in the hearing of sound. This is used for conductive loss.

Bluetooth hearing aids
Bluetooth hearing aids are advanced digital hearing aids that connect wirelessly to Bluetooth devices. This might be audio devices PDA’s, computers, or cell phones. They are connected to s a streaming device that make the hearing aid a hands-free headset.

BTE hearing aids
This hearing aid fits behind your ear, and it connected to a mold that fits inside your ear with tubing. These custom made devices attach to the ear with an ear hook. They are known for their durability and practicality.

CIC hearing aids
The hearing aid is totally inside the ear canal. CICs are very small in size (almost invisible). Not all people can wear this device because of canal shape or size.

cochlear implants
This device will be a substitute  for damaged hair cells in the inner ear. It is implanted into the cochlea with surgery. It uses an external process to send an electrical signal to the auditory nerve. The user will then perceive sound through the cochlear implant. It is used for severe to profound hearing loss.

decibels
A unit used in measuring sound.

digital hearing aids
Digital hearing aids revolutionized hearing when they came onto the scene in 1996. This translates sound to digital code. After changing the code, it sends it back using math calculations. This technology duplicates sound transmission, and now it has created a more quality sound with increased accuracy.

disposable hearing aids
This hearing aid has a battery that is built in. After a certain amount of hours or time, the entire hearing aid will be disposed of and replaced.

feedback
Feedback is best described as a high pitched screeching sound experienced by hearing aid users.

frequency
The unit used in measuring the pitch of sound.

half shell hearing aid
A type of hearing aid that is smaller than the ITE aid, but bigger than the canal aid. It fills half of the bowl of the ear.

hearing aid
An electronic device which amplifies and sends sound to the ear. The three basic parts of a hearing aid are the microphone, the amplifier, and the receiver. Hearing aid battery replacement

hearing aid battery replacement
Hearing aid batteries will need replacement. Check with the individual battery directions for frequency.

hearing aid trial
A set period of time when a hearing aid buyer may try the hearing aids made for him/her. If the person isn’t satisfied, they may return them for a refund (there may be a trial fee).

hearing amplifier
An electronic device that will increase the electrical signal strength.

hearing loss
A decrease in a person’s ability to hear is called a hearing impairment or hearing loss. With mild and moderate losses, the person may not be affected. In profound hearing loss, the person can not hear, but can sense vibrations.

• Normal hearing        -10  thru 15 dB
• Slight hearing loss     16 thru 25dB
• Mild hearing loss        26 thru 40 dB
• Moderate hearing loss            41 thru 55dB
• Moderately severe loss    56 thru 70 dB
• Severe hearing loss                71 thru 90dB
• Profound hearing loss       91 thru 120 dB

Also known as: sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, profound hearing loss, unilateral hearing loss, congenital hearing loss, severe hearing loss, mixed hearing loss

hearing test
A series of tests that use an audiometer to measure hearing loss.

Hertz
The frequency of a sound in cycles per second. It  is named after Heinrich Rudolf Hertz.

ITE hearing aids (in the ear)
A type of hearing aids that fits in the bowl part of the ear. They are most often used for moderate hearing loss.

Also known as: full shell hearing aid (FS)

invisible hearing aids (IIC)
Invisible hearing aids are not visible because they fit further down in the ear canal than the other types. It is out of sight even if you look directly into the ear bowl. They use venting and their placement to make the hearing experience more natural. These are most suitable for users that are middle age or younger.

mixed hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensor neural losses.

open ear hearing aids
This hearing aid fits over the ear with a wire that runs into the ear and a small, soft tip. There are holes in the tip to keep the user from feeling plugged. These hearing aids are used for high frequency loss.

occlusion
The strange sound that hearing aid wearers experience, where their voice sounds distorted, as if speaking in a tunnel. This is caused when canal blockage keeps sound from escaping.

otologist
A physician who specializes in ear diseases.

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified hearing aid center?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a hearing aid center with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only hearing aids rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified hearing aid.

Q: How do I know if I have a hearing loss?
A: The best way to know if you have a hearing loss is to consult with an audiologist or a licensed medical professional who can assess your hearing ability. Many times, people with a hearing loss know they have a reduced ability to hear because they find following speech or conversations difficult. They feel frustrated because they feel others are mumbling, and they must ask often people to repeat themselves. Some will find that others mention how loud they are listening to the radio or television. If hearing loss is suspected, you should have tests done to make sure it is diagnosed and treated properly, and also to confirm that isn’t another disease or ailment.

Q: What are the various types of hearing aids?

A: Behind-the-Ear (BTE) – This hearing aid will sit behind your ear. It is attached to an ear mold that fits  inside your ear with tubing. An ear hook is used to fasten it on the ear. The molds are custom made for each user.

In the Ear (ITE) – These fit in the ear of the wearer.

In the Canal (ITC) and Completely in the Canal (CIC) – With ITCs and CICs, the entire hearing aid fits inside the canal. CICs are extremely small in size, and nearly invisible. ITCs are usually larger.

Disposable hearing aids – You can choose a disposable hearing aid. They have a built-in battery and after a certain amount of time or use, the person will replace the whole hearing aid.

Q: What is the cost of buying new hearing aids?
A: To estimate the price of a hearing aid, you must consider many factors. What type of hearing aid do you want? Do you need accessories? Would you like digital or analogue? Would you it to be programmable? Do services come with the aid, like a hearing consultation? What are the hearing aid’s capabilities and features?

A single hearing aid may cost $50 for a disposable hearing aid or up to $5000 for hearing aid models that have the most cutting-edge technology.

Q: What type of battery will I need for the hearing aid?
A: There is a specific size of battery for each hearing aid. Currently, a new color coded system helps hearing aid wearers to know and match the particular battery with their hearing aid. The hearing aid manual will give the size. All you have to remember is the color to buy the right size.

Red – Size 5, Yellow – Size 10 (230), Orange – Size 13, Brown – Size 312 and Blue – Size 675

Q: How long is a hearing aid battery expected to last?
A: Much will depend upon the energy and power the aid needs. It will also depend on the type of hearing aid and how often it is used. Some batteries will last weeks, but some last only days. Speak to your hearing aid professional, as well as reading the manufacturer’s advice to make sure you maximize the  life of the battery.

Q: How long is a disposable hearing aid expected to last?
A: Some brands of disposable hearing aids can last up to 400 hours or 90 days. It depends on which is reached first. Others will last for 600 hours or 120 days, depending on which is reached first.

Q: Is it best to wear one hearing aid or two?
A: This is a very difficult question to answer since each one has a different type of hearing loss with a different extent of loss. Two hearing aids do have advantages. They bring more balanced hearing, more clarity, and better hearing in noisy situations.