Treating Hearing Loss is More Than Wearing Hearing Aids

In this consumer-driven age of quick-fixes and convenience, it is no surprise that we’ve been bombarded with TV and radio ads boasting the promise of treating hearing loss with a “cheap and convenient” online solution or over the counter hearing aid. It is in our nature to want to make our dollars stretch as far as they can. Especially for those who are on fixed incomes; budgeting thousands of dollars for the treatment of hearing loss may seem impossible. In some instances it can be common for companies to market a quick fix when they see an opportunity.

Unfortunately, if it seems too good to be true, it just might be.

Hearing aids are an important part of hearing loss treatment, but they are not the end-all, be- all solution. The professional who fits the hearing aids and the process they use to rehabilitate are also critical parts of proper hearing care.

In this month’s article, Dr. Hart from our Fort Collins HHCC talks to us about how treating hearing loss is a lot MORE than sticking hearing aids in your ears. Just like you have to rehabilitate after major surgeries or injuries, so too should you receive rehabilitation of your hearing system after it’s been deprived of sound as a result of hearing loss. This rehabilitation assures that you are eased into hearing at a pace that isn’t too overwhelming or overstimulating for your brain.

To learn more, please keep reading!
Or schedule an appointment with any of our 7 front-range clinics!

As a hearing-care professional I hear many misconceptions about hearing, hearing loss, and treating hearing loss almost every day. Probably one of the most frustrating but common misconceptions that we hear is that hearing care professionals are out to "sell hearing aids" rather than "treat hearing loss". Well, if you are a doctor of Audiology, you've been trained to do more than fit people with hearing aids, and this includes Aural Rehabilitation. Aural Rehabilitation is a critical part of treating hearing loss and should be a part of every hearing-treatment plan if you are a wearer of hearing aids.

So, what is it?

Aural rehabilitation (AR) includes a wide range of activities aimed at optimizing an individual's ability to participate in activities that have been limited as a result of hearing loss.

The world (AKA the media, consumer electronics companies and retailers) is trying to make hearing aids appear like a magical widget, a one size fits all device that will solve all your hearing problems. Our health and our ears deserve better. We find that this approach does not properly address the individual's needs, often leaving patients feeling frustrated and isolated. That is where the expertise of an Audiologist, optimally adjusted prescription hearing aids and Aural Rehabilitation come in!

The ear itself is very complicated and part of a very complex nervous system. We hear with our brains, not just our ears. Our ears are like a very sophisticated piano, funneling information from the cochlea to the brain, to be interpreted. Not only do the ears have to change sound from a mechanical vibration to an electrical current, but they in concert with the brain, have to interpret a myriad of information. This information includes: timing, fidelity, foreground/background information, just to name a few. Additionally, they do it all in hundredths of a millisecond
(It’s miraculous when you really think about it).

Much like how you need physical therapy after a knee surgery to optimize the function of the knee, you really need Aural Rehabilitation to improve the function of the ear and the brain as part of your hearing treatment plan. As we have mentioned in previous articles our brains can shrink up to 40% from their original size due to hearing loss. With proper stimulation and Aural Rehabilitation, the Audiologists can work with your brain's plasticity to significantly reduce and slow this trend.

An Aural Rehabilitation process may look like: tips and tricks on how to communicate more effectively, counseling to explain how your brain requires time and patience to adapt, exercises to improve your memory and listening skills, proper adjustments to your current devices over time as your brain adapts to the sounds, and possible recommendations of additional accessories to improve the signal to noise ratio. This allows you to function at a much higher level than would be impossible with hearing aids alone.

" Very professional and talented staff. I will stick with them permanently!" Loveland HHCC
K.C.

" Fantastic care! I felt at ease and all my questions were answered thoroughly. Dr. Nicole is AMAZING. My whole family will be going here for their hearing needs."
F.G.

" Dr Beasley of Hearing HealthCare Centers in Longmont has the Talent to address all of the critical issues of my damaged hearing. I am very satisfied with the final results. My first 4 month Follow up appointment last Friday was again , Smooth and Professional. They have a follow up each 4 month to ensure satisfaction."
H.H.

"I would not hesitate to recommend Hearing Healthcare Centers to anyone! They are very caring,knowledgeable, and helpful. They recently made adjustments to my hearing aids that did indeed make a big difference , especially when there is a lot of background noise! This recommendation was for Dr. Lilly who is now at the Ft. Collins office."
A.J.

" You all did a Great job! Love my new hearing aids. Thanks to you all!"
R.H.