Hearing FAQs
No, hearing aids are not waterproof, but they are water resistant. Hearing aids are built to withstand everyday moisture, such as rain and sweat. They should never be submerged in water though. You should always take your hearing aids out before you shower or swim. Water can severely damage the internal components to your hearing aids, so it’s important to keep them dry and safe.
To get the most out of your hearing aids, it’s important to clean them every day. When you take them out of your ears at night, you should always wipe your devices down with a dry, soft cloth to remove any earwax or other debris. This will ensure wax does not build-up inside the tiny components, causing a malfunction.
In addition, we recommend bringing your hearing aids into our office every six months for a professional, deep cleaning.
Tinnitus itself is not a disorder but a symptom of another underlying health condition. Tinnitus can be the result of hearing loss, loud noise exposure, a circulatory disorder, stress, or medications. Sporadic tinnitus should not concern you. But if your tinnitus is so frequent and loud it affects your concentration or sleep quality, then you should make an appointment.
Yes, there are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and occurs when there is damage to the hearing nerve or hair cells in the inner ear. This type of loss is irreversible but can be managed with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss is when sound cannot be conducted from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Causes include abnormal growths, earwax impaction, ear infection, fluid in the middle ear, or ruptured eardrum. This type of hearing loss can be corrected by a medical doctor.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive losses. To treat mixed hearing loss, you will need to visit a doctor to clear up the conductive portion and the sensorineural portion will need to be managed with hearing aids.
Yes! At PurTone Hearing Centers we can adjust and reprogram your hearing aids to match your exact hearing needs. Our hearing specialist can fine-tune your instruments so you can hear with clarity and ease. If you need your hearing aids reprogrammed, contact our office.
To determine what device will best help you, a hearing test will first need to be performed. Using the results of your hearing test and a questionnaire based on your hearing needs and lifestyle, our hearing specialist will recommend what kind of device will best help you. If you would be a candidate for a cochlear implant, we will refer you to a specialist for the surgery.