Hearing Aids in Hamilton Township, NJ
Board-certified New Jersey otolaryngologist Dr. Scott Kay, FACS, provides hearing aids for the residents of Hamilton Township, NJ.
The Prevalence of Hearing Loss
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 15 percent of the adult population has some form of hearing loss. Certain activities, such as shooting guns or using loud machines, can contribute to hearing loss. Anyone that has been exposed to loud noises over long periods of time should be aware of the warning signs, which may gradually appear over time. For example, one might notice that other people sound muffled when they talk. Others might find they miss words, can’t follow conversations or must continually ask people to speak up or to repeat themselves. In addition, most people with hearing loss will have to turn up the radio or TV volume in order to properly hear.
Audiology Appointments
If any of these warning signs are familiar, then it is definitely time to make an appointment with an audiologist who uses advanced technology and techniques to diagnose and treat hearing problems. These hearing specialists will take their patient’s medical history, discuss the hearing problem and determine the appropriate tests. Audiologists will analyze and discuss the test results with the patient. They will then suggest possible medical and hearing aid options.
Hearing Aid Selection
Choosing the right hearing aid can be a complex process. This is because the severity of the hearing loss, along with the patient’s lifestyle and personal preferences must be taken into consideration. The functionality, user-friendliness and battery life of the device must also be considered. Patients that are more socially and physically active will benefit from certain styles and sizes of hearing aids. Fortunately, almost every kind of hearing loss can be partially improved with small hearing aids.
Follow-Up Appointments
Once the hearing aid has arrived, the patient will meet with the audiologist for a custom fitting and an overview of how to control and take care of the device. After this, a follow-up appointment is scheduled approximately two weeks after the initial appointment to perform any minor adjustments and to answer any questions. From then on, follow-up appointments are scheduled every six months to monitor hearing loss and patient satisfaction.
