American Hearing Laboratories (AHL) understands that you have questions about hearing loss and hearing aids that can effectively change the quality of life. We've listed several questions we've received over our history and provide the best response for your information. If you have a question or are not sure about something, call us at
1-800-880-4327 or click here to get in touch with us.

The answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no! It all depends on what your hearing loss is and on what type of listening situations you have problems in.

The cost of digital and programmable hearing aids are often $1,000 to $2,000 more per hearing aid than conventional hearing aids. If they are not programmed correctly, an expensive set of hearing aids might not be any more help than a standard, less expensive hearing one. So it becomes very important to work with someone experienced with not only hearing loss, but familiar with programming and fine tuning digital and/or programmable hearing aids.

A programmable hearing aid is simply an aid which can have its response changed in the dispenser's office rather than sending it back to the factory. If you need more power or a change in frequency response, for example, the dispenser can plug a cord into your hearing aid and modify it on the spot.

Digital hearing aids are always programmable, but not all programmable hearing aids are true DSP (digital signal processing) hearing aids. A DSP (digital) hearing aid converts the signal which was received at the microphone into digital format before processing it, and in most digital aids, converts it back to analog before sending the signal to the speaker.

There are a number of advantages to being able to manipulate the sound while in a digital format that in many cases give a great benefit to the user of a digital hearing aid. Whether the advantages justify the great additional expense depend on the hearing loss of each individual person, their hearing needs, and the type of environments they are exposed to.

A person who lives alone and only wants hearing aids to hear their television at a lower level so as not to bother their neighbor might do just as well with a conventional hearing aid. A business person that meets clients for lunch every day at noisy restaurants, on the other hand, may do well to consider some of the higher technology circuits.

You may have been told to buy a programmable aid so that "if your hearing changes, you won't need to buy a new hearing aid." However, a non-programmable hearing aid can also have its response changed by upgrading it at a full service laboratory such as American Hearing Laboratories. Because of our laboratorial environment, we have the equipment to "reprogram" the response of almost any hearing aid, often while you wait, if you are able to come to our office, or in a day or two if the instrument was shipped to us.

The question of "if digital aids are really necessary" simply is dependent on you, the patient.

Hearing Loss Changes - If the hearing aids are one year or older, it is very possible there have been changes in hearing that need to be compensated for.

Hearing Aids Degrade - Moisture and age affect hearing aid function - microphones get weaker, clarity decreases. Because it is gradual, many people think their hearing is worse when it's their hearing aid that needs repair or a response change.

Ears Change Size and Shape - Your ear is one of the few parts of your body that continues to grow and change. Often a tighter or better fitting hearing aid can make a dramatic improvement in hearing.

Poor Hearing Aid Results From The Start - We often see situations where a hearing aid has been fit incorrectly from the beginning. This can be caused by a technician's mistake, poor communication, a bad initial ear impression, a wrong box checked from the order form, even a computer error. Correcting a fitting error and changing a hearing aid from a curse to a blessing is one of the exciting bonuses we enjoy having a fully equipped laboratory.

Improved Technology - Click here to learn more about the NEW Invisible Hearing Insert! We have seen so many improvements in the last few years, especially in circuitry that reduces background noise. We can replace older technology with new for dramatic improvements in hearing without the full investment new hearing aids require.

If you presently wear hearing aids and feel you should be able to hear better, call or email us and briefly describe your situation. If you have a copy of your hearing test, send or fax it to us. It may be necessary to bring or send your hearing aids to us with your hearing test results, as to allow us to have sufficient information to serve you better. Call us at 1-800-880-4327 or click here to get in touch with us.