Santa and Kitty visit Beltone

Santa and Kitty visit Beltone

http://http://antelopevalleybeltone.com/ 661.942.4327 753 W. Lancaster BLVD, Lancaster , CA 93534 Bishop – 308 W. Line St. Suite 10 Bishop, CA 93514 760.873.4658 Ridgecrest – 801 N. Downs Suite H Ridgecrest, CA 93555 760.375.4327

UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEARING TEST RESULTS

Hearing Test Results

http://www.beltone.com/swf/hearingAudiogram.swf

After your hearing test assessment and evaluation, your Beltone hearing care professional records the results of your hearing evaluation on an audiogram. He or she will then share the results with you to show you what you’re hearing and what you are missing.

On the right is a sample hearing test audiogram. The letters represent the frequency of common speech sounds in the English language. Clicking on theSpeech Banana check box on the lower right of the audiogram shows where these sounds fall within an audiogram.

The age drop down box on the right hand side of the audiogram allows you to select an age range to see where an average hearing person would fall within the audiogram and which sounds they may be missing.

Each individual‘s hearing is different. Call our office at 661-948-4573 to schedule a FREE hearing evaluation and explanation of your results. Once you and your Beltone hearing care professional have discussed your individual audiogram results and lifestyle needs, he or she will be able to provide you with an in-office hearing aid demonstration of appropriate hearing aids.

 

Beltone AVE. Hearing Aid Simulation

Take a hearing instrument “test drive”. Using everyday sounds, this interactive system demonstrates the benefits of the latest hearing aid technology - before you leave the office.

 

Through the use of surround sound technology, you are able to hear our hearing instruments before you buy them. During your hearing test the Beltone AVE. (pronounced “Avenue”) system also verifies the comfort of your fit after your hearing aids arrive through the use of familiar scenarios such as a restaurant, church, a birthday party, and over 200 sounds.

If you suspect you have a hearing loss or perhaps a loved one has a hearing loss, call our office today to schedule a FREE hearing examination.  Our hearing care practitioners will be able to tell you if you have a hearing loss and if hearing instruments will help.  With our Beltone AVE. Hearing Aid Simulation software we can demonstrate how our newest hearing instrument the True can benefit you.

Call our office at 661-942-4327 to schedule your appointment.  Our address is 753 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA  93534.  We also have offices in Ridgecrest and Bishop.  Call for more information.

 

 

What Happens During a Hearing Test?

What Happens During a Hearing Test?

A hearing “test” actually includes several tests that measure how well you hear a variety of sounds such as tones and speech. Hearing tests are conducted by state-licensed practitioners in special sound booths or extremely quiet rooms. Generally, hearing tests result in one of two outcomes: normal hearing or some degree of hearing loss.

A baseline hearing screening is recommended at around age 50, unless you’re experiencing symptoms of hearing loss sooner. Recent studies indicate that the earlier hearing loss is detected and treated, the slower it progresses. And conversely, if hearing loss goes undiagnosed, it can worsen more quickly than necessary. Because hearing loss often appears gradually, you may be unaware of its onset-so don’t put off your initial hearing screening!

Hearing History

A hearing test usually begins with questions pertaining to your overall health and your hearing history. Typical questions about your hearing may include:

• Have you noticed difficulty hearing?
• Did the problem come on suddenly or gradually?
• Is there hearing loss in your family?
• Are one or two ears affected?
• Were you subjected to chronic loud noise during your life?
• Do your ears ring?
• Do you have dizziness or vertigo?
• Did you have ear infections as a child?
• Do you have ear pain?
• Is it harder to hear the voices of men, women, or children?
• Do you notice environments where it’s challenging to follow the conversation?

At this time, you should also be asked about medications you take. This is important because many prescription and over-the-counter drugs are ototoxic, or harmful to your hearing. This is also the stage to mention anything else you feel relates to your hearing.

Visual Examination of the Ears

Next, your ear canal and ear drum are inspected by a lighted device called an otoscope that magnifies the structures in the ear. Most hearing care specialists use video otoscopes which show you the inside of your ear on a video screen. Among other conditions, otoscopes spot ear wax blockages, ear drum perforations and signs of infection in the ear canal or middle ear. These problems can contribute to hearing loss, and are generally corrected by medical doctors. If none of these conditions is found however, the hearing screening continues with the pure-tone air-conduction test.

Air Conduction Testing

The pure-tone air-conduction test notes the very softest tones you can hear at least 50% of the time they are played for you. During this test, you will sit in a completely quiet room or sound booth, wearing earphones. Starting with one ear, the practitioner plays tones of different frequencies, (high-to-low pitches), one at a time. When you hear the sound, you raise a finger or press a button. Each tone is played at softer and softer levels until you no longer respond consistently. The softest level you can hear is your threshold for that particular frequency. The various frequencies played represent the range of sounds you commonly hear in the world. Your responses are charted on an audiogram, and the resulting graph indicates how well your outer and middle ear structures are processing sound.

Bone Conduction Testing

Bone conduction testing uses the same process as air conduction testing, but tones are sent to a device placed behind your ear instead of into earphones. This allows sounds to bypass your outer and middle ear and pass through your skull to your inner ear. In this manner, bone conduction testing accurately assesses your inner ear’s hearing ability, without influence from your outer or middle ear.

Once the results of both air conduction and bone conduction testing are plotted on your audiogram, a fuller picture of your hearing health emerges. The picture may show normal hearing or may indicate hearing loss. If the latter, the audiogram identifies the degree (mild, moderate, severe, profound), and the type (conductive, sensori-neural, mixed) of your hearing loss.

Speech Testing

The next step in the process is testing that utilizes speech. The first test requires you to repeat a series of two-syllable words that are played at successively lower levels. This test helps to determine the level at which you can detect speech. You will then be asked to repeat one syllable words set at a comfortable listening level, to see how well you understand speech. Identifying these levels helps to further determine your hearing aid candidacy. Other valuable speech tests may include:

• Speech-in-Noise testdetermines how well you hear sentences in noisy environments
• Most Comfortable Listening Level (MCL)systematically increases volume until it feels “just right”
• Threshold of Discomfort (TD)/Recruitment testsystematically increases volume until it’s uncomfortable /li>

If your hearing tests show you require hearing aids for hearing loss, these speech tests help customize your hearing devices so it’s easy to comprehend conversation in multiple listening environmentseven noisy ones.

Take Charge of Your Hearing Care

While a hearing screening can range from a short procedure to a battery of tests, a good hearing care professional will always take the time to explain every step, and help you understand your results. Remember, good hearing is in your control, so never hesitate to ask questions or seek answers!

Call Beltone today at 661.948.4573 to schedule a complimentary hearing test.  Our office is located at 753 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA  93534.  We also have offices in Bishop and Ridgecrest.  Call for more information.

3 Things to Keep an Ear Out for if You Suspect Your Hearing Might be Diminishing

Hearing loss can be gradual and difficult to detect when it occurs over an extended period of time. Below are when you suspect you may be suffering from hearing loss.

1. Difficulty Hearing

The most obvious tip-off is a noticeable decline in the level of hearing. Sound may be muffled and it may sound like people are mumbling when they are really not. After hearing loss, because of the higher frequency of their voices. You may ask people to repeat themselves frequently and having a conversation with more than one person will become difficult.

2. Tinnitus

Sometimes a side effect of hearing loss is not the absence of sound, but hearing sounds that are really not there. You may begin to hear a ringing, roaring, buzzing, or hissing.These are sounds that can often follow loud concerts, but in the case of tinnitus, do not go away and can result in permanent hearing loss.

3. Non-Hearing-related Side Effects

Due to the difficulty of detecting hearing loss, you may suffer emotional side effectsbefore realizing the possibility for hearing loss. Often, sufferers of hearing loss . Additionally, because of the vital role the ear plays in balance, hearing loss can cause vertigo or difficulty balancing.

 

 

Hearing Aids from Beltone / Lancaster / Palmdale

Hearing Aids from Beltone

Beltone hearing aids bring you the latest digital technology, and fit just about any lifestyle and hearing loss. Beltone hearing aids are known for their cosmetic appeal and innovation. The design of the hearing aid’s outer shell contributes to its overall look. Our most popular shell styles include:

• Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
• In-the-canal (ITC)
• In-the-ear (ITE)
• Behind-the-ear (BTE)

The hearing aid’s inner circuitry provides the advanced features that make Beltone instruments so easy 
to customize to your lifestyle and hearing care needs. Our wide range of inner circuits includes our brand new Beltone True™, as well as, Reach™, Beltone Touch 17™, One™, Identity™, Beltone Touch 9™, Change™, Access™, EDGE™, Turn™ and Mira.

Beltone Patient Satisfaction

The “Beltone Experience” revolves around your satisfaction with both our service and our hearing aids. With 70 years as a leader in the industry, 1500 locations, highly trained hearing care professionals and friendly service, it’s easy to see why Beltone has a 95% patient satisfaction rating, and is the most trusted hearing care brand among adults 50+.

Hearing Testing—Are Hearing Aids Right For You?

Your hearing health is critical to your overall health. Just as you make time for regular eye exams, 
dental check-ups, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, it is important to schedule an annual hearing test—whether or not you’re considering hearing aids.

Beltone offers comprehensive audiometric evaluations to determine your ideal hearing aid:

• Personalized Hearing Health Assessment lifestyle consultations
• Visual ear examinations using a video otoscope
• Testing to determine your ability to respond to sounds and repeat spoken words

Should you have a hearing loss that can be corrected with hearing aids – as occurs 90% of the time – 
we offer advanced digital hearing instruments that offer clear, comfortable hearing, a virtually invisible appearance and prices to fit your budget.

Follow-up Care for You and Your Hearing Aids

All Beltone hearing aids come with the exclusive BelCare™ commitment – one of the most comprehensive aftercare programs available. From your first hearing screening through all the years you own your Beltone hearing aids, BelCare™ assures you a lifetime of attention at any one of Beltone’s participating hearing care centers nationwide. No other company offers the same level of commitment.

Learn about parts of a hearing aid.
Explore types of hearing aids.
Find out how to get tinnitus relief.
Discover what happens during a hearing aid test.
Add Beltone hearing aids to hearing plans & programs.