Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of Wisconsin - Audiology Services

Hearing Aids

Products
Our practice is not affiliated with a franchise so we can offer patients a variety of hearing aids. Unlike the sales pitches from retail hearing aid manufacturers, we are an independent group that sells a variety of hearing aids. We not only sell but service most brands allowing us to choose the product that best suits the patient's personal and financial needs. Factors we consider when selecting a hearing aid are the individual's hearing ability, work environment, lifestyle, physical limitations, medical conditions, cosmetic preferences and cost. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

The following links to hearing aid manufacturer's sites have been provided for general information. We encourage you to discuss any specific questions you may have so we can best advise you on what would be suitable for your needs.

GN ReSound - www.gnresound.com
Oticon - www.oticon.com
Phonak - www.phonak.com
Siemens - www.siemens-hearing.com
Starkey - www.starkey.com
Micro-Tech - www.hearing-aid.com
Westone - www.westone.com
Widex - www.widexusa.com

Audiology Services

Audiologists - What is an Audiologist, When to see an Audiologist, Our Services, Meet the Audiologists

Hearing Loss - How Does the Ear Work, Types of Hearing Loss, Pediatric Screening, What is Early Intervention, Prevention

Hearing Aids - Products, Buying a Hearing Aid, Fitting Your Hearing Aid

Patient Education - Seminars, Medical Links, What Our Patients Say

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Patient Forms

There a three main types of hearing aids. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids used most frequently in infants and children, fit behind the ear and are connected with tubing to custom-fitted earpieces. In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fill the entire bowl of the ear and part of the ear canal. The case, which holds the components, is made of plastic and must be replaced as the ear grows. For this reason, ITE aids are not frequently recommended for children. This style hearing aid is used most for those with mild to severe hearing loss. In the canal (ITC) hearing aids are smaller versions of ITE hearing aids. ITC aids must be replaced as the ear grows and are also not recommended for pediatric patients and are best used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Completely-in-the-canal are the least visible hearing aids.

Two main types of electronics are used in hearing aids. Analog/Conventional: Your audiologist determines the volume and other specifications you will require in a hearing aid and the laboratory builds an aid to meet these needs. Analog/Programmable: Your audiologist uses a computer to program your hearing aid. The circuitry can accommodate more than one program so that you can change the program to receive better sound across different listening conditions. Digital: The audiologist uses a computer to program your hearing aid and can adjust the sound quality and response time on an individual basis. Digital hearing aids use a computer chip and offer the most flexibility for your audiologist to make adjustments. Digital hearing aids also offer a number of settings that allow you to manipulate the amplification of incoming sound in specific frequencies where it is difficult to hear.

Usually, if you have a hearing loss in both ears, using two hearing aids is best. Listening in a noisy environment is difficult with amplification in one ear only, and it is more difficult to distinguish where sounds are coming from. Research studies on adults have shown that individuals who have a hearing loss, lose the ability to recognize speech in the other ear. If, however, the quality of hearing in one ear is very different from the other, one hearing aid may be better than two.

Buying Your Hearing Aid
As a consumer, purchasing a hearing aid can be confusing. Hearing aids vary in price according to style, electronic features, and local market conditions. Our pricing is competitive and straightforward. Prices can range from hundreds of dollars to more than $2,500 for a programmable, digitalized hearing aid. Your purchase price should not be the only consideration when buying a hearing aid. Product reliability can save repair costs and the frustration of a malfunctioning hearing aid.

Should there ever be a problem with your hearing aid, you can rest assured that we service and repair most name brand hearing aids. Since our audiologists explain your charges for the hearing evaluation, dispensing fee(s) and any future servicing or repair, there will never be any confusion on the cost of your hearing aid. You will also be advised regarding the trial period policy and what fees are refundable if you return your hearing aid during this period. Information on the warranty coverage for your hearing aids will be explained as well. Since most insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids so ask our audiologist about our special financing terms. We also accept Visa and MasterCard.

Getting the Right Fit for Your Hearing Aid
Once your hearing aids have arrived, you will come in for your fitting. While wearing your hearing aids, you will be tested for word understanding in quiet and noise to determine that you have reached improvement in hearing tones.

Next, you will receive instruction about the care of your hearing aids, the batteries used to power them, a suggested wearing schedule, general expectations, and helpful communications strategies. Our audiologist will work with you on how to properly insert and remove your hearing aids and batteries.