Hear, Here

Over time, like any other piece of equipment used on a daily basis, hearing aids will break down and need to be replaced. While most hearing aids are built to last for several years, they will need to be replaced at some point. The better you take care of your investment, the longer it will last. But no pair of hearing aids will last forever.  At Coastal Audiology, we want you to get the most out of your investment but we also don't want you "throwing good money after bad." At some point, we have done all we can to extend the life of your hearing aids and it will be time to upgrade them. Here are some guidelines for when it may be time to so.   Your hearing loss changes Annual hearing exams are vital to determine if your hearing needs change, as well as for having your hearing aids fine-tuned to adjust for any changes. Your hearing test is your "prescription". It is how your Audiologist fine tunes your devices to match your hearing loss. While we at

Though you wouldn't know it from the up and down temperatures we've experienced lately, it will be hot and humid before you know it! And then the kick-off of the summer travel season. Follow these simple tips to keep your hearing aids in tip-top shape while away from home. Don't use your hearing aids in environments where they may get wet, dirty, sticky. During summer vacation, you may find yourself enjoying swimming pools, sprinklers, saunas, and hot tubs. But those are no-no's for hearing aids. Avoid activities where your hearing aids may become wet from a dip in the pool, kids splashing, or the hot steam of a sauna or hot tub. Going on a cruise and signing up for off-ship excursions? Make sure to pack an extra case that you can use to safely tuck away your hearing aids temporarily until conditions improve. If you haven't done so already, now is a great time to invest in a dehumidifier that ca

This is going to be a much more personal, passionate post than past blog entries. The issues discussed below are obstacles I face everyday as a Doctor of Audiology and they aren't solved by slapping a widget on someone's ear and yelling "next!". I hope you will stick with me through it and return frequently for other entries regarding hearing healthcare. I fit numerous sets of hearing aids each week. Most of them on new users who have never worn hearing aids before. I always encourage my patients to bring someone with them to this visit. I find people respond better when they have a familiar voice to hear first through their hearing aid versus MY voice that they may not be familiar with beyond our first visit at their hearing test and subsequent hearing aid evaluation. I find that most people do not bring a communication partner with them. Whether is is because their adult children don't live here or are at work and can't break away or because they are tr