Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a hearing test?
A: Most hearing loss is gradual so you may not recognize the symptoms right away. You may start by asking people to repeat themselves or by turning the volume up on the television. If you start to notice some of the following symptoms, it may be time to schedule a hearing test:

• People seem to be mumbling
• You have to strain to hear when someone talks or whispers
• You have difficulty hearing someone call from behind or from another room
• You need to watch a speaker’s lips more closely to follow conversation
• Following a conversation is difficult when you’re in a group of people, for example at a meeting, at family gatherings, at church, or during lectures
• You have to turn up the volume on the TV or radio
• You have problems hearing clearly on the telephone
• You have difficulty hearing at the theatre, cinema, or other entertainment venues
• It’s hard to hear in noisy environments, for example in a restaurant or in a car
• You have begun to limit your social activities due to difficulty hearing and communicating
• Family, friends, or colleagues mention that they often have to repeat themselves
• If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, please call us today and we will be happy to set up an appointment for you to be tested.

Q: What causes ringing in my head/ears?
A: The ringing sensation that can be detected in your head, or individual ears, is called tinnitus. This ringing is usually an indication of some damage to your auditory system (especially noise damage). It can be constant or periodic and on one specific side or in the middle of your head. Although there is no known cause of tinnitus, sometimes hearing aids help reduce the symptoms by bringing more sound to the brain, thus distracting attention from the ringing. If you have ringing consistently on one side, you will want to ask your doctor about it. We offer tinnitus assessment and counseling.

Q: Can people have hearing loss and be unaware of it?
A: If you answer yes to any of the following questions you may have hearing loss:

• Do others complain you have the television too loud?
• Do you have problems hearing birds or wind?
• Do you have difficulty hearing female voices or children?
• Do you have difficulty hearing in groups?
• Do you find yourself confusing words or making silly mistakes misunderstanding conversations?
• Do other people, or family members, think you have a hearing loss?