As millions of Americans have some degree of hearing loss, if you’ve been concerned about your hearing, it may be time to visit a hearing aid specialist in your area. Most people with hearing loss are under the age of 65. For some, those changes start as early as adolescence. Years of listening to loud music or operating noisy equipment without protection, common health conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes) and genetics can all impact the ability to hear.
With the help of a professional hearing aid specialist, the center will be able to provide you with preventative care as well. Once a hearing baseline is determined, hearing can be effectively monitored, preventive measures can be implemented, and treatment can be prescribed sooner than later to improve outcomes.
Early detection and treatment of hearing loss helps you maintain the hearing that you have left and your active lifestyle. That is why OAT is committed to education and celebration no matter where you are on your hearing journey because we all start somewhere.
Here’s what you can expect from a Nashville Hearing Aid Specialist:
1. Types of Hearing Care
2. Hearing Evaluation
3. Types of Hearing Aid Solutions
4. Real Ear Measurement Success
5. OAT, a Nashville Hearing Center
Types of Hearing Care
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, hearing issues, hearing loss, or diseases, OAT can help. Our services include the following:
Hearing loss
Ear infections
Ear tubes
Swimmer’s ear
Ear wax removal
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Meniere’s disease
Ruptured ear drums
Ear drum holes
Mastoiditis
Hearing aids
Tinnitus maskers
Hunters plug
In-ear monitors
Musicians’ plugs
Custom ear molds
Not hearing well triggers a feeling of disconnect and isolation. Social situations that once were fun bring dread and exhaustion. While there is no magic wand, the fact is most hearing health issues even tinnitus can be treated.
The doctors of a Nashville hearing center will be committed to meeting all your hearing needs, protection, prevention and enhancement, through every stage of your life. At OAT, our graduate-level, licensed Audiologists work closely with our team of physicians and nurse practitioners to ensure you get the personalized care you deserve.
Hearing Evaluation
At OAT, our team of hearing aid specialists will perform a variety of hearing specific tests to uncover what is preventing you from hearing well or where you can clearly hear and what ranges of volumes or frequencies may present a challenge. In order to establish a relevant relationship between your hearing and your lifestyle, we will first focus on your health history.
We will follow up with a complete physical examination of your ear, to allow us to see if your ear canal is clear and healthy or if there is an obstruction. Finally, a comprehensive exam will determine at what volume and pitch you hear, at what volume you tolerate certain sounds and how well you understand spoken words in quiet or noise. After we have determined your specific hearing issues, we will begin to build out a plan of action.
Types of Hearing Aid Solutions
The use of hearing aids may help patients with SNHL or combined hearing loss. While hearing aids cannot undo internal ear damage, they can make a great deal of difference. It can be hard to choose between the options when there are so many options available.
Make sure you find the right hearing aid by scheduling an appointment with a professional hearing aid center. Your decision can be easier with their assistance.
Pre-made Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but they are all manufactured to a specific standard. Individuals suffering from tinnitus and hearing loss may benefit from these pre-made devices. These devices are not conventional even though they are industry standards. For example, in-ear and behind-the-ear styles as well as amplifiers are available for pre-made hearing aids.
Custom Hearing Aids
An individual's hearing aid may require some customization, depending on their needs. With custom-made options, various types of hearing loss can be accommodated in situations like these.
Based on the mold taken from your ear, materials can also be customized based on your specific needs. Those whose occupation requires them to hear clearly may benefit from custom hearing aids if they have auditory problems.
Real Ear Measurement Success
Finding success with your new hearing aids is dependent on if you have the right technology, programmed precisely to your hearing loss prescription. Real ear measurements allow your hearing aid specialist to ensure that your listening needs are met compared to the functionality of your devices. Without proper ear measurements, your hearing aid solutions might not be a perfect fit for you.
This could cause unnecessary pain or discomfort, making your hearing aid less effective than it should be. When visiting a hearing aid specialist, make sure proper ear measurements are taken when finding the right solution for you.
OAT, a Nashville Hearing Center
Even though you have hearing aids, you might find that in some situations you need more assistance. We offer a wide range of assistive listening technology to give you the best hearing experience including, amplified telephones, partner microphones, television enhancement devices, caption telephones, alerting devices and personal amplification systems.
There are a lot of things to consider when deciding which type of hearing care solutions will best suit your needs. At OAT, we want you to get the most out of your hearing aid experience. So, we created a guide to help you find the right solutions.
You can download our FREE ebook "Hearing Aids Options & Cost" for more information. In the meantime, schedule an appointment with our OAT Hearing Aid Center to receive high-quality hearing care.