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Ask the Audiologist

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BS Speech Pathology & Audiology 

Western Michigan University ('96)

MA Audiology 

Kent State University ('98)

Au.D.

A.T. Still ('07)

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Owner of Ascent Audiology & Hearing in Lakewood Ranch, FL.

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Hearing testing

Hearing aids

Tinnitus

Cerumen Removal

Custom Hearing Protection

Kristin DesErmia, Au.D.

Kristin DesErmia, Au.D.

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Hearing loss types

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Tinnitus

Why does it occur?

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Can it be cured/eliminated?

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What can hearing aids do for it?

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Options for amplification

PSAP's

Hearing Aids

Cochlear Implants

ALD's

Do Nothing

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Hearing aids don't  give you "normal" hearing

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Hearing aids don't cure tinnitus

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So, what do hearing aids do?

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Hearing aids improve speech clarity

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Hearing aids improve understanding speech in noisy setting

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Hearing aids should allow you to converse at a normal

conversational level

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Hearing aids allow you to

function in everyday activities without a struggle to communicate

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Hearing aids should be

comfortable enough to wear all day

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There is no one size fits all

hearing aid and no hearing aid is perfect,

so which one is right for me?

Wireless Capabilities

Memories

Batteries

vs Rechargeable

Bluetooth

Remote programming capabilities

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Why are hearing aids so expensive?

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Insurance and financial assistance programs

FL Blue/Aetna/United Health Care

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Veterans Affairs

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Vocational Rehabilitation

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Medicare/Medicaid

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Other sources of help

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Realisitc Expectations

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Questions

“I have this new sound or noise that doesn't want to go away and I can't figure out what it is.  I was told that my hearing aids would take care of it but they don't do anything even when I wear them.  Aren't they supposed to muffle this noise?"  Will it go away?”

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Questions

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 “I paid so and so dollars for my hearing aids but I don't wear them.  I can hear okay without them.  Why should I wear them?"

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Questions

"Why are there so many different hearing aids and which one is right for me?"

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Questions

"How do they know that this hearing aid is the right one for me when it doesn't work - I can't hear!"

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Questions

“I have had my hearing tests but I don't know what it says but I do know I can't understand anything.  How can these hearing aids help me understand?"

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Questions

“I have hearing aids but I don't have that coil thing in them, I think.  I can't use your loop thing to hear the microphone. What do I do about that?

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Questions

“Why doesn't insurance or Medicare cover for hearing aids."  Is there any coverage available for them?"  If we pay for them, what is included in the price?

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Questions

“I am a veteran and have hearing aids from the VA.  I did not receive any information about hearing loss or support from the VA about my hearing loss.  Why is that?  Where should I go to get good hearing care if not the VA?

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Thank

you!