Excited to wear hearing aids? Probably not—and we get it. No one dreams of the day they’ll need them, especially if you're picturing the bulky, frustrating models your parents or grandparents had. But here’s the good news: modern hearing aids are smaller, lighter, and more discreet, with advanced technology, rechargeable batteries, and seamless smartphone connectivity.
Your Loganville specialist for prescription hearing aids is Hearing + Balance Clinics. Our audiologists provide advanced hearing solutions designed to address your hearing needs and fit your lifestyle in all of our clinics, including those in Watkinsville and Lavonia, GA.
Today's hearing aids represent the pinnacle of miniaturized digital technology, offering capabilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. These sophisticated devices go far beyond simply amplifying sound – they use advanced processing algorithms to enhance speech clarity, reduce background noise, and automatically adjust to different listening environments. From seamless Bluetooth connectivity that streams calls and music directly to your ears, to rechargeable batteries that eliminate the hassle of frequent battery changes, modern hearing aids are designed to integrate effortlessly into your active lifestyle.
Our clinic offers the latest hearing aid technology from leading manufacturers, carefully selected to match your unique hearing needs and preferences. These devices can be precisely programmed using our Verifit2 system to ensure optimal performance across different frequencies and listening situations. Whether you're looking for discreet in-the-canal devices that are virtually invisible, or feature-rich behind-the-ear models with advanced connectivity options, we can help you find the perfect solution that aligns with your hearing goals, lifestyle, and budget.
You've had a hearing test that showed hearing loss, but haven't taken steps to address it yet.
You feel mentally exhausted after social gatherings because you're straining to hear and understand conversations.
You've started to withdraw from social situations or avoid phone calls because hearing difficulties make these interactions frustrating.
You find yourself lip-reading or depending heavily on visual cues to understand what people are saying.
Your hearing loss is affecting your work performance or personal relationships, causing misunderstandings or communication breakdowns.
If you’re still hesitant whether hearing aids are right for you, it’s possible that your concerns are based on outdated information or misinformation. In truth, today’s hearing aids are more comfortable, quieter, and more effective at improving your hearing.
Fact: About 1 in 5 people over the age of 12 have a hearing loss that limits their communication. The Better Hearing Institute notes that 65% of people with a hearing loss are under the age of 65. So, hearing loss can affect you regardless of age.
Fact: The real concern behind this myth is your concern about how hearing aids will affect your appearance. Modern hearing aids are so small that they are practically invisible, and some can even be worn inside the ear.
Fact: Hearing aids are “aids” because they help with your hearing similar to how prescription eyeglasses help with vision challenges. They don’t cure hearing loss, but they do help you communicate better, help improve your balance, limit your rate of cognitive decline, and much more.
Fact: You may think that your “good ear” hears just fine, but the majority of people who have hearing loss in one ear have it in both ears. Additionally, you hear better with both ears just like you see better with both eyes. Binaural (two-eared) hearing aids offer the best hearing results by helping you localize sounds so you can hear better in a noisy environment.
Our experienced audiologists begin by conducting a thorough hearing evaluation to understand your specific hearing loss. During this consultation, we discuss your lifestyle needs, communication challenges, and personal preferences. We take time to understand not just your hearing test results, but how hearing loss affects your daily life, from family gatherings to work environments. This comprehensive assessment helps us recommend the most appropriate hearing aid options that align with your needs and budget.
After your assessment, we carefully evaluate the best hearing aid options for you based on several key factors including the level of hearing loss, lifestyle requirements, and budget considerations. We demonstrate different styles and technology levels, explaining the benefits and features of each option. Our team ensures you understand all aspects of the selected devices, from advanced features to any potential limitations, helping you make an informed decision about your hearing healthcare investment.
The fitting process begins with taking precise ear impressions if custom earmolds are needed. Using sophisticated manufacturer software, we program your hearing aids according to your unique hearing prescription. This initial programming considers various listening environments and sound preferences. We provide comprehensive training on insertion, removal, battery/charging management, and device controls to ensure you're comfortable handling your new hearing aids independently.
We utilize advanced real ear measurement technology (speech mapping) to scientifically verify your hearing aid performance. This crucial step measures the actual sound output in your ear canal, considering your unique ear anatomy. By placing a tiny microphone in your ear canal while wearing your hearing aids, we can see exactly how much sound is reaching your eardrum and make precise adjustments to match your prescription targets. This verification ensures optimal amplification across all frequencies for your specific needs.
Your success with hearing aids requires ongoing support and fine-tuning. We schedule regular follow-up appointments to address any concerns, make comfort adjustments, and ensure you're receiving maximum benefit from your devices. During these visits, we review your experiences in different listening situations, adjust programming as needed, and provide additional counseling on communication strategies. Our comprehensive follow-up care includes regular maintenance checks, cleaning services, and programming adjustments to accommodate any changes in your hearing needs over time.
Prescription hearing aids are hearing aids that are fit and maintained by a hearing care professional.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are for those over the age of 18 with only a mild degree of hearing loss or who need help communicating in certain situations. In contrast, those with more severe hearing challenges who perceive that their hearing loss is more disruptive to communication are better served with prescription hearing aids.
If you are struggling with your hearing, your family and friends may be saying to you “Get your ears checked.” What’s going on?
If you’re struggling to communicate with others, unable to keep up with your typical lifestyle, and frustrated with trying to enjoy conversation in a noisy restaurant or at a social event, you’re probably a good candidate for prescription hearing aids.
Medicaid and some insurance supplements provide benefits for prescription hearing aids – financing that is not available if you purchase an OTC device.
Each person’s adjustment experience is unique. The newly amplified sounds are a shock to your central auditory system, requiring time for your brain to acclimate and relearn how to process amplified sound stimuli.
You will probably adjust within a few weeks, thanks to coping strategies, ongoing adjustments, and support by your hearing care provider, which is much shorter than the typical 60-day trial period offered by manufacturers.
Yes. Even after you start wearing hearing aids, we will continue to test your hearing on a regular basis to make sure your hearing aids provide the assistance you need.
One of the great benefits of modern hearing aids is that they come with connectivity options, which means you can connect your hearing aids directly to your smartphone, TV, laptop, and other digital devices.
Prescription hearing aids require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. This includes daily cleaning at home, regular professional cleaning at our clinic, battery or charging management, and periodic technical checks. Our audiologists will provide detailed maintenance instructions and schedule regular check-ups to keep your devices working their best.
With proper care and maintenance, prescription hearing aids typically last 5-7 years. However, the lifespan can vary depending on usage patterns, maintenance practices, and technological advancements. Regular check-ups and maintenance can help extend their longevity and ensure consistent performance throughout their lifetime.
The fitting process involves several steps to ensure optimal performance. First, we take precise measurements of your ears and program the devices according to your prescription. Then, we verify the settings using real ear measurement technology to ensure accurate sound delivery. Finally, we provide thorough training on usage, maintenance, and features, followed by scheduled follow-up appointments to make any necessary adjustments.
In our modern culture, it’s easy to self-diagnose and self-treat your hearing loss, and there is no shortage of online and OTC hearing aid dispensers. However, the wrong device or a poorly programmed device can do more harm than good.
Rather than saving a buck on a critical health need, your safer option is to allow Hearing + Balance Clinics to conduct a professional hearing evaluation, guide you through the selection process, and provide the necessary ongoing support to ensure that you get the results you hope for.
To start the process, you can submit the adjacent form to schedule a hearing evaluation, and a member of our team will call you back to assist you.
Very nice and helpful staff. Always take time to let me ask questions. First time at the Watkinsville office but most of the same staff. I have been with them for several years now and very pleased.
