10 Important tips for hearing aid buyers:

1. Make sure you have chosen the right hearing professional. Make sure that your hearing specialist has a good education and experience and is Academy Certified. You want to make sure that you feel comfortable with your doctor. A good way to find a great specialist is to ask around your town, a doctor with a good reputation will most likely be mentioned quite a few times. If you still need help, contact Academy Hearing for a list of Academy Certified professionals.
2. If you suspect a hearing issue, make sure you go to a hearing professional to receive a thorough evaluation. This is help identify what the cause of your hearing issue is and will also give you solutions to your hearing issue.
3. You should take the time to speak with your Academy Certified Audiologist and discuss your individual needs of a hearing aid. This should consist of your daily routines and social settings. Different hearing losses and different lifestyles require different solutions. There are many different hearing aids and technology is constantly evolving. The more detail you can provide your hearing healthcare professional, the better they can guide you to making the best decision for you and your hearing needs.
4. You should be aware of the price of your hearing aid, and what you are getting for that price. It is a good idea to have a written contract that states the price of your hearing aid and what will be included, such as professional service costs. Make sure to ask your doctor about what costs your insurance may cover as well.
5. You want to make sure that your hearing aid fits properly. Custom fit hearing aids will use a mold of your ear. Make sure your hearing aids fit properly; you will be wearing it for long periods of time.
6. Because adjusting to your hearing aid can take some time, it is important to have a follow up with your doctor. Your ears need time to adjust to sound similar to the way your eyes adjust to changes in light. Your ears have been “in the dark” for a longer period of time so it may take several days to a few weeks to completely adjust. Have scheduled appointments with your Academy Certified Audiologist so they can help make any minor adjustments to fine turn your hearing aid.
7. Be aware of the return policy for your hearing aid. You should know if there is a trial period or if it costs anything to return, upgrade or downgrade your hearing aid during this period.
8. Once you have settled on a hearing aid, it is important to know what your warranty covers. Your Audiologist should give you a copy of the warranty and explain to you what is covered.
9. Know the other products available that work along with your hearing aid. There are phones, and microphone systems available. For more information on hearing aid compatible items, speak with your doctor.
10. Purchasing hearing aids cannot be treated as a one time event. Make sure your Audiologist has a plan to routinely check your hearing and adjust your devices accordingly. Your hearing will naturally continue to change over time and it is important to have a plan in place to follow up. Failing to do so may contribute to a permanent decrease in clarity.

At AcademyHearing.com our goal is to help you with finding the most qualified hearing care provider and ensuring that the hearing aids you purchase are right for you. Find an Academy Certified Professional.

* Fish do not have ears, but they can hear pressure changes through ridges on their body.
* The ear’s malleus, incus and stapes (otherwise known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup) are the smallest bones in the human body. All three combined could fit together on a penny.
* The whole area of the middle ear is no bigger than an M&M.
* The ear continues to hear sounds, even while you sleep.
* Cicadas have their hearing organs in their stomachs.
* Crickets have their hearing organs in their knees.
* Ears not only help you hear, but also aid in balance.
* Sound travels at the speed of 1,130 feet per second, or 770 miles per hour.
* Male mosquitoes hear with thousands of tiny hairs growing on their antennae.
* Snakes do not have ears, but their tongues are sensitive to sound vibrations.
* In World War I parrots were kept on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, because of their remarkable sense of hearing. When the parrots heard the enemy aircraft coming they would warn everyone of the approaching danger long before any human ear would hear it.
* The ear has over 25,000 tiny hair cells to help you hear the nuances of sound.

Facts about Hearing Loss
Did You Know…

* 1 out of 10 Americans has a hearing loss, which is more than 36,000,000 people. This number is expected to rapidly climb and nearly double by the year 2030.
* 3 out of 1,000 children are born with hearing loss.
* 1.2 million children have hearing loss.
* Among seniors, hearing loss is the third most prevalent, but treatable disabling condition, behind arthritis and hypertension.
* Approx. 30% of people over age 65 have hearing loss.
* The majority (65%) of people with hearing loss are below retirement age.
* The majority (60%) of people with hearing loss are males.
* Every day in the United States, approximately 1 in 1,000 newborns (or 33 babies every day) is born profoundly deaf with another 2-3 out of 1,000 babies born with partial hearing loss, making hearing loss the number one birth defect in America.
* Excessive noise is the number one reason for hearing loss.
* Experts agree that continued exposure to noise of 86dB or louder, over time, will eventually harm hearing.
* If you cannot carry on a conversation in the presence of noise, it is too loud for your ears and can potentially cause hearing loss.
* 1 in 4 workers exposed to high levels of noise will develop a hearing loss.
* Professions at risk of hearing loss include firefighters, police officers, factory workers, farmers, construction workers, military personnel, heavy industry workers, musicians, and entertainment industry professionals.