Good News About Hearing

A survey of 2,069 hearing-impaired individuals and 1,710 of their family members reveals that hearing instrument users are likely to report improvements in the physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Users of hearing instruments on average are more socially active and avoid extended periods of depression, worry, paranoia and insecurity compared to non-users with hearing loss. Additionally, family m”embers and friends are more likely to notice these benefits than the actual users themselves.

- Sergei Kochkin, PhD, and Carole M. Rogin, MA

Quantifying the Obvious: The Impact of Hearing Instruments on Quality of Life

HEARING AIDS TODAY ARE AMAZING. Over the past two years, technology has improved hearing aid performance so they change people’s lives. And if yours doesn’t, you simply give it back.
State law mandates at least a 30-day trial period for hearing aids. Many providers, including ABC Hearing Net, give more time than that. During the trial period, clients should see their provider at least three times or more at no charge, to make certain that the fit is right. At the end of the trial, you decide whether to keep it, return it or try something different.
Nowadays, hearing aids are also powerful, comfortable and very discreet—barely noticeable by people nearby. Extended-wear options can be worn 24/7, during pillow talk and even in the shower. Additional options for daily wear fit in the ear and behind the ear.

ABC answers common questions about hearing aids.

Q Why do hearing aids cost so much?
A. T he cost of hearing aids is often for the hearing aid and the care that you receive, bundled together in one price. T here is a cost for hearing aids, but there is a greater cost for untreated hearing loss.
Q My friend got a good hearing aid. Can I get the same thing?
A. H earing losses are like thumb prints—each person has a unique loss, individualized prognosis and will respond different ly to hearing aids. Different people require different solutions, so ABC H earing N et carries several different brands.
T he right treatment for you may not even be a hearing aid. You might need only listening strategy training. ABC H earing N et’s, Dr. Judith Curtin will work with you to find the solution that fits your needs.

Q Where do I begin if I suspect a hearing loss in myself or a loved one?
A. S tart with a hearing test. H earing test results explain your loss, and contribute to your prognosis and possible treatment options. A Doctor of Audiology has as many as four years of graduate training and not only administers hearing tests, but also designs a long term plan of care.

Q What factors make a hearing aid successful?
A. T he amount of face-to-face time that you experience with your provider, the provider’s knowledge and the degree with which the provider pursues the optimum fit will help determine your success. Success in hearing aids is directly related to the quality and type of care you will receive. N ot everyone gets 100 % restoration, some achieve 60%, some 90%. T he provider has to provide training to compensate for any “acoustic blurring”.

ABC Hearing Net

Judith A. Curtin, AuD, CCC A/SLP. Dr. Curtin is an award winning and AAA Board Certified audiologist and a ASHA certified speech pathologist. She has practiced aural habilitation/re-habilitation audiology for more than 30 years. An innovator in her field, she was an early implementer of comprehensive, integrative audiology programs to help older adults get maximum benefit from hearing aids and develop listening strategies. She has been a faculty member at West Chester University since 2000.
Francis H. Curtin, BSEE. Mr. Curtin has more than 25 years of electronic and software engineering with extensive experience in specification, design and verification of electronic systems. He is a licensed hearing care specialist in the state of Pennsylvania. He helps clients with hearing aids and assistive listening devices.