OTC Hearing Aids in Palm Desert, CA
If you’ve read the news lately, you know that new research is coming out all the time linking hearing loss to other major health concerns like cognitive decline, depression, and an increased risk of accidents.
Yet many people still delay getting help in part because they feel they can’t afford it. At Hearing Aid HealthCare, we’ve always looked for ways to make hearing devices more affordable. Thankfully, new technology, legislation, and changes in insurance are helping to make hearing loss treatments more affordable than ever.
In fact, hearing technology has had a number of exciting breakthroughs in the last few years which has led to lower-cost options including over-the-counter devices available in stores and pharmacies.
But don’t assume that because you can purchase a device over the counter that it’s a do-it-yourself endeavor. There’s a lot of expertise that goes into choosing the option most likely to be effective for your hearing loss. The clarity of sound can be affected radically by the way it fits, what settings you use and whether it addresses the underlying problem. The first step in taking care of your hearing loss should always be a hearing test.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that hearing aids and hearables are just mini-speakers that amplify sound. In reality, they do a lot more than that, and some device styles are not effective treatments for higher-levels or specific types of hearing loss. A hearing test from a licensed professional is critical for determining your ability to hear certain frequencies, to understand speech in quiet and noisy environments, and to find the most appropriate solution for your individual needs.
Hearing Devices Are Not Just About Volume
Hearing devices need to be “tuned” to your specific hearing loss. Here are just a few reasons this is important:
- If you universally raise the volume, the volume will be too high in the ranges where your hearing is normal which can damage your hearing further.
- Some frequencies will be uncomfortably loud if they are not adjusted properly…which may lead you to stop using your device.
- Sound clarity will be affected if the settings aren’t correct. What’s the point of increasing the volume if you still can’t make out what someone is saying to you?
- A hearing aid that is not fit with a recent audiogram may damage your hearing more than help it.
Are Over-the-Counter Hearing Devices Right for You? Call or text us to make an appointment and try the over the counter hearing devices we offer in our office.
Jabra EnhanceTM Plus miniaturized 3-in-1 earbuds for hearing enhancement, music and calls offer a hearing solution that combines the convenience and design of true wireless earbuds with advanced medical-grade hearing enhancing technology.
