Call 610-965-1093 to schedule an appointment
619 Dalton Street
Rear Bldg
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-965-1093
Frequently Asked Questions
What takes place during an audiologic evaluation?
We will conduct several tests to assess the status of your hearing. We will have you listen for tones at different pitches to find the softest levels of sound you can hear. You will also be asked to repeat back speech presented in quiet and in background noise. Depending on your history or request from a referring physician, we may also do some testing to evaluate how well your middle ear system is working. Testing generally takes between 45 minutes and one hour.
What is the difference between a conductive hearing loss and a sensorineural hearing loss?
A conductive hearing loss results from problems in the outer or middle ear. Examples of conditions that can cause a conductive hearing loss include excessive ear wax, middle ear infection, and otosclerosis. Conductive hearing losses can generally be treated medically and referral to a physician is indicated. In some cases, amplification (hearing instruments) may be recommended in addition to medical intervention.
A sensorineural hearing loss results from problems in the inner ear (or cochlea) or further along the auditory system (e.g., auditory nerve). Sensorineural hearing loss can be age-related (presbycusis), caused by excessive noise exposure, result from ototoxic medications, or many other medical conditions. In some cases, sensorineural hearing loss can be treated medically, in other cases the loss is permanent and use of hearing instruments may be recommended.
How do I know if I have a hearing loss?
There are many signs and symptoms of hearing loss. In general, the effects of hearing loss become more noticeable in environments where there is background noise or distance between you and who you want to hear. We recommend you check out the "Hearing Health Quick Test" created by the American Academy of Audiology:
How's Your Hearing?
What is the process for being fit with hearing instruments?
If you are a candidate for hearing instruments we will spend time reviewing different options based on your hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget. If you decide to pursue a trial with hearing instruments, several steps are involved. Depending on the type of hearing instruments to be fitted, we may need to take earmold impressions in order to have custom earmolds made. During the hearing aid fitting visit, we will conduct some measures to make sure the hearing instruments are optimally adjusted based on your profile. All of our hearing instruments come with a 45 day trial period.
Which manufacturers do you work with?
We primarily work with Oticon, Starkey, Phonak, and Siemens hearing instruments. By working with a variety of manufacturers, we can ensure you will have access to the technology best suited to your needs. We also provide repair services for most brands and models of hearing instruments.
Are there other options besides hearing instruments?
We also provide other types of assistive listening technologies. For example, there are devices designed to be used in specific situations (e.g., watching television, using the telephone). These types of devices may be used instead of or in addition to hearing instruments. For example, if your primary listening difficulty is understanding on the telephone, an amplified handset may be the best solution.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare will generally cover the cost of an initial audiologic evaluation (as long as you have met your deductible for the year). There is a small co-pay. In order for the evaluation to be covered, you will need to bring a script from your physician stating "hearing evaluation". Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing instruments.
What if I can't afford hearing instruments?
We are committed to providing you with information on possible private and public funding sources for hearing instrument and assistive listening technology. Please visit the Resources page on this site for more information.
What types of custom earmolds can you provide?
Along with custom earmolds designed to be used with hearing instruments, we also provide an array of custom earmolds designed for use by musicians, hunters, target shooters, construction workers, etc. These include specialty earmolds that allow you to hear music more naturally or that provide protection for a gunshot but allow you to hear normal conversation. We can also make custom earmolds to be used with monitor systems.