motorcycles, firearms, and other power tools are likely going to be loud enough that hearing protection is recommended? The best hearing protection for you is the one that you will wear - foam plugs, ear muffs, and custom hearing protection are all available for use. How do I know if I need a hearing test? 1. You are regularly asking people to repeat themselves. 2. There is a constant ringing or buzzing in your ears or your head. 3. You continue to need to turn the volume on electronics up. 4. You can hear people, but not quite understand what they are saying. 5. You struggle to hear with background noise present. 6. You have had exposure to loud noises, with and without hearing protection. It’s always a good idea to get a baseline hearing test because we don’t know what we cannot hear, if we cannot hear it. A baseline test can help your audiologist know if there have been large, sudden changes in hearing, or if it is the more typical, gradual change in hearing. I recommend getting a baseline of hearing when an individual turns 50, and sooner if you are struggling to hear. What will happen at my first appointment? 1. The audiologist will look in your ears. 2. A hearing test will be performed. It will take about 15 minutes. It’s just like the testing you have in school screenings, you listen for beeps and raise your hand. 3. The audiologist will be able to share the results with you at the appointment and discuss treatment options while listening to your needs for communication. 29 What to expect from hearing aids? Hearing aids are digital processors that take input from our environment, put different programming parameters on the signal, and send it out of the hearing aid then into the ear for you to hear. The audiologist will use your hearing test to prescribe your settings in the hearing aids. The cost of a hearing aid is determined by the technology and the computer chip inside the devices. You will discuss your needs with the audiologist to select the best option for you. Hearing aids cannot give you normal hearing, but they can increase your environment so that you can listen with a little less effort. Many hearing aids now have Bluetooth, direct connections to cell phones, making phone calls easier and listening to audiobooks a breeze. They are also rechargeable, decreasing the overall maintenance cost by not having to purchase hearing aid batteries or the annoyance of your hearing aid battery going out while you are out to dinner. As an audiologist, it is my job to be knowledgeable about different technologies available for patients so that I can help you navigate the world of hearing aids and the features accessible to you, all based off your communication needs. If you are experiencing any issues with your hearing, the Broadlawns ENT Clinic is here to help. From newborns to 100-year-olds, our team is fully equipped to provide expert evaluation and treatment to improve your quality of life. Located on the Broadlawns Main Campus, the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Appointments may be scheduled by calling (515) -282-7750. All forms of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, are accepted.
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