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(includes information from FTC website)
If you suffer from a hearing impairment like 21 million other Americans, you may consider buying a hearing aid. Before you do, determine whether a hearing aid will work for you and what to look for when shopping for one.
A hearing aid is an electronic device with a small microphone that amplifies weak sounds through a small speaker. You must have some ability to hear for the device to work. And because hearing loss affects people in different ways, you need to get the right device for you. Dr. Sinha offers several types of aids to fit your needs and budget. We offer the latest, most advanced digital programmable aids that use modern computerized digital signal processing to enhance your hearing in a wide variety of sound situations. These also include "invisible" hearing aids, that is, hearing aids that fit completely within the ear canal so they are not seen even when someone is looking directly at your ear!
Medically, there are two major types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss involves the outer and middle ear. It usually results from a wax blockage, a punctured eardrum, birth defects, ear infections, or it may be genetic. Conductive hearing loss generally can be corrected surgically.
Sensorineural—or "nerve"—hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear. It can be caused by aging, prenatal and birth-related problems, viral and bacterial infections, genetics, trauma (such as a severe blow to the head), exposure to loud noises, the use of certain drugs, or fluid buildup or a benign tumor in the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss usually can't be repaired surgically; it's usually corrected with a hearing aid.
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| Behind The Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids - traditional hearing aids with large, easy to use controls, work best for many types of hearing loss | In The Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids - used for mild to severe losses, all components fit contained in a single housing that fits inside the outer ear canal | In The Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids- used for mild to moderate losses, smaller controls, all components fit in to one housingless visible than ITE hearing aids. | Completely In Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids- mild to moderate losses, no user adjustable controls, "invisible" hearing aid, requires straight ear canal |
Dr. Sinha, in conjunction with a licensed, experienced on-site audiologist test, dispense and repair hearing aids in the medical office. There is no need to risk dealing with door to door salesman or fly by night companies that target the elderly for high pressure sales. Hearing aids are only one part of our practice so we make sure we correctly diagnose your loss of hearing first and then, if indicated, recommend the appropriate hearing instrument that is right for your needs and budget. Interestingly, since hearing aids are not out only source of income, our prices for hearing aids are generally lower than companies that make all of their revenue selling hearing aids.
Dr. Sinha, a board-certified and licensed ear specialist will perform a detailed medical examination to determine the cause and degree of hearing loss. Our licensed audiologist will also conduct a detailed hearing test. These examinations will insure that there are no underlying illnesses or medical problems associated with the hearing loss: sometimes a hearing loss can be a symptom of a medical condition. As a result, you'll want to be wary of advertisements for hearing aids that dismiss the need for an examination—the distributor may be selling inadequate products. In addition, don't feel pressured into buying a hearing aid—ask for more information or a second opinion.
Many states recommend or require that consumers get at least a free 30-day trial period. Our practice offers this trial period to allow you to see if you are conmfortable with hearing aid selected. Occassionally, a different aid is sometimes better. Because we carry a wide variety of devices from multiple manufacturers, you can be assured the most appropriate device will be dispensed. There is sometimes a service fee, because of the vendors we use, if you return the hearing aid during that time. However, many manufacturers will make adjustments during the trial period, and allow returns within 60 to 90 days of purchase at no charge.
We invite you to call our office at 404-257-1589 to make an appointment for an examination. We are conveniently located near the Northside Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital medical complex near the junction of I-285 and GA-400 in the Buckhead/Sandy Springs area.