Q & A

Most of the time hearing problems begin gradually, without discomfort or pain. What's more, family members often learn to adapt to someone's hearing loss, without even realizing they are doing it. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether hearing loss is present:
-Do I often ask people to repeat themselves?
-Do I have trouble following conversations with more than two people?
-Do I have difficulty hearing what is said unless I'm facing the speaker?
-Does it sound like other people are mumbling or slurring their words?
-Do I struggle to hear in crowded places like restaurants, malls and meeting rooms?
-Do I have a hard time hearing women or children?
-Do I prefer the TV or radio volume louder than others?
-Do I experience ringing or buzzing in my ears?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, chances are you do suffer from hearing loss.

Not necessarily. Only about 13% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss. Since most people with hearing impairments hear just fine in quiet environments (like your doctor's office), it can be very difficult for your physician to recognize this problem. Only a trained hearing professional can determine the severity of your hearing problem, whether or not you could benefit from a hearing aid, and which type would be best for you.

There are several causes. The main ones include excessive noise, infections, genetics, birth defects, infections to the head or ear, aging, and reaction to drugs or cancer treatment.

Yes. There are three types of hearing loss:
Sensorineural: The most common type, it occurs when the inner ear nerves (and hair cells) are damaged and do not properly transmit auditory signals to the brain. Can be treated with hearing aids.
Conductive: Is typically the result of obstructions in the ear. Can usually be treated medically or surgically.
Mixed: A combination of sensorineural and conductive.

At their most basic, hearing aids are microphones that convert sound into electrical signals. An amplifier increases the strength of the signal, then a receiver converts it back to sound and channels it into the ear canal through a small tube or earmold. A battery is necessary to power the hearing aid and to enable amplification. At GAQ Hearing Aid Center we offer hearing aids that are sophisticated, state-of-the-art instruments that require computer programming to adjust to your specific lifestyle and listening environments.

Research on people with hearing loss and their significant others has shown that hearing aids play a significant factor in a person's social, emotional, psychological and physical well-being. More specifically, treatment of hearing loss has been shown to improve:
-Communication in relationships
-Intimacy and warmth in family relationships
-Ease in communication
-Earning power
-Sense of control over your life
-Social participation
-Perception of mental functioning
-Emotional stability
When you consider all the benefits of better hearing, you can see that hearing aids hold great potential to positively change your life.

While no hearing aid can filter out all background noise, we will fit you with hearing aids that are designed to reduce some types of background noise so that you can enjoy conversation and improve communication in places like restaurants, business meetings and social gatherings.

There are several factors that will determine which hearing aid will be the right one for you. They include the nature and severity of your hearing loss, your lifestyle and the activities you regularly enjoy, your job, your eyesight and dexterity, and the size and shape of your outer ear and inner ear canal. Ultimately, your hearing professional will be able to advise you as to the best choice for you.