A hearing evaluation will likely be performed including an otoscopic examination which includes inspection of the outer ear, ear canal, and eardrum area through an otoscope. Your hearing evaluation results will be discussed with you, including medical recommendations as well as possible hearing aid recommendations personalized to meet your daily hearing needs. If you wish to pursue a hearing aid trial, a customized plan will be determined for the hearing aid fitting appointment as well as subsequent follow up appointments.

No, hearing aids will not cure your hearing loss. If your hearing loss is a type that may be helped with medical intervention, recommendations will be made to you for proper physician follow up. However, if your hearing loss is not medically correctable, hearing aids may be an option to make your life more enjoyable through better hearing.

Hearing aids vary in price, often dependent on technology levels of the hearing aids. For a price quotation and hearing aid recommendation, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment for a hearing aid consultation.

An audiogram is a graphic representation of your hearing ability. During a hearing test, your hearing is checked at different frequencies. The result is recorded as a characteristic audiogram curve.

The frequencies

The horizontal scale at the bottom indicates the different frequencies. The low frequencies (e.g. the hum of an engine) are located on the far left, the high sounds (e.g. the twitter of a bird) on the far right.

The loudness level

The vertical scale indicates the loudness level of the respective frequency, from soft (top) to loud (bottom). Values are given in decibels, abbreviated as dB. The healthy human ear begins to perceive sounds starting at 0 dB and reaches the threshold of pain at 110 dB.

Between "hearing well" and "hearing nothing" lies a wide range of different types of hearing loss. Experts distinguish between mild, moderate, severe and profound hearing loss. Most cases of hearing loss are categorized as mild or moderate.

Mild hearing loss

Soft noises are not heard. Understanding speech is difficult in a loud environment.

Moderate hearing loss

Soft and moderately loud noises are not heard. Understanding speech becomes very difficult if background noise is present.

Severe hearing loss

Conversations have to be conducted loudly. Group conversations are possible only with a lot of effort.

Profound hearing loss

Some very loud noises are heard. Without a hearing aid, communication is no longer possible even with intense effort.

I can hear, but I don't understand properly

Hearing loss often affects our ability to understand speech. In particular, the consonants /P/, /K/, /F/, /H/ or all /T/, /Sh/ and /S/ sounds are no longer heard.

Sound tracks

We can't hear what other people hear. People with hearing loss are usually unable to explain how the hearing loss affects them or what they hear and what they don't hear.

The following sound tracks are meant to give you or other people an idea of how hearing loss changes perception.   Click Here To Hear The Tracks

The first encounter with your hearing aid

Your first experiences are essential for the successful adjustment of your hearing aid. We have put together a few tips and tricks for you, so that you will be able to fully enjoy your hearing aid. Make use of all the possibilities your modern hearing solution has to offer!

In addition, please follow the instructions you received with your hearing aid. If you have any questions or problems, please contact your hearing care professional.

Adjusting the volume to the situation

Modern hearing aids automatically select the appropriate volume when they are switched on. No other adjustments are necessary. If you adjust the volume manually, do not make it too loud. This rarely helps with understanding. Please do not try to understand someone speaking softly at a great distance. Even a healthy ear cannot do that.

The hearing aid - a part of your life

Just like spectacles or contact lenses, a hearing aid can feel strange at first. After a brief period of adjustment, this will change. Give yourself a little time to get used to it. However, if you experience any problems or pain, please contact your hearing care professional.

Being an active participant in discussions

Even people without hearing loss find it difficult to follow discussions sometimes, especially if several people talk at once. Move closer to the person you would like to hear and focus on him or her. As you gain experience with your hearing aid, you will be able to master these situations with more ease and confidence. Additional listening devices can also be helpful in these situations. You can find out more and discuss this with your hearing care professional. They will be able to provide information on which additional devices are most appropriate for your needs.

Visits to public places

Theatres, places of worship, conference halls and similar places can present an acoustic challenge for hearing aid users. Ideally, you should find a seat in the section with the best acoustics. It is usually located in the front and center of the room. Do not sit too closely to the speaker, but close enough to see his or her face. Some public places have special technical equipment to make hearing and understanding easier. Just ask in advance or when you get there.

Follow television and radio programmes

Sometimes it is not possible to understand every single word. In those cases, try to concentrate on the overall context. In these situations, an appropriate additional listening device can also be helpful.

Use your hearing aid with the phone

As a hearing aid user, you have many options to improve your hearing and understanding of phone calls. Your hearing aid specialist can advise you, which solution is best for you.

Two ears hear better than one

In case of bilateral hearing loss, both ears are fitted with a hearing aid. As a hearing aid user, this will introduce you to a completely new level of hearing. Humans have two ears for a reason and it makes sense to wear two hearing aids, if you have a hearing loss in both ears.

General advice

It is important to treat your hearing aid with care. You will keep it in working order for many years and minimize potential problems during everyday use. Hearing aids may be sturdy, but they cannot withstand improper use. In the following, you will find a few valuable care tips.

Protect your hearing aids from dirt

Always make sure that your fingers are clean and dry before touching your hearing aid. The microphone input is very small and can become blocked through improper handling.

Protect your hearing aids from moisture

Remove your hearing aids before showering bathing or swimming. Due to the high ambient humidity, you should not leave the devices in the bathroom. Clean your ears occasionally before inserting the hearing aids.

Please note that moisture and condensation may damage the electronics in your hearing aids. We recommend removing the battery from the device at night, leaving the battery compartment open. Use a special drying aid available from your hearing care professional.

Keep the devices away from children and pets

Store your hearing aids out of the reach of children and pets. Removed but not deactivated devices emit high sounds that may be aggravating to some dogs.

Avoid contact with hairspray or make-up

The fine particles of hairspray or powder make-up may clog the microphone input and volume control switch. Remove your hearing aids before using body care products.

The correct care

In order to be fully functional, your hearing aids need to be clean at all times. Clean the devices with a soft, dry cloth. Never use alcohol, solvents or cleaning agents. Special care products for your hearing aid are available from your hearing care professional, who will also check the devices for ear wax residue and make sure that it is in working order.

Keep your hearing aids in a safe place

When your hearing aids are not in use, it is best to keep them in the hearing aid dehumidifier. Always carry the hearing aids in their case to protect them from damage and dirt. If you don't use your hearing aids for a while, please remove the batteries.

Leave all repairs to an expert

Screwdrivers and oil are the enemy of all hearing aids. If they come in contact with the electronic or micro-mechanical systems, it leads to irreparable damage. The delicate technology is very sensitive and can be destroyed though improper handling.