Archive for 2010

The check list of things to do when flying seems to be constantly changing. Travelers are often warned about what they can or can’t bring in their checked luggage. Most travelers also know you may pass through an X-ray, metal detector or be manually checked by airport security officials.

The process, at times, seems daunting, especially if you have trouble hearing.

The Transportation Security Administration travel guidelines assure travelers that bringing your hearing aids shouldn’t be a problem.

Here is the most up-to-date information regarding hearing aids from TSA. You can find more information at, www.tsa.gov.

• It is not necessary to remove hearing aids at security checkpoints.

• It is best if you wear your hearing device while going through the metal detector.

• According to Otolaryngologist and Otolaryngology surgeons, hearing devices such as hearing aids are not affected by X-ray inspection, the walk-through metal detector, or the hand-held metal detector.

• If the screening process is unclear to you, ask the Security Officer to write the information down.

• If you can read lips or are hard of hearing, ask the Security Officer to look directly at you and repeat the information slowly.

• If you need to communicate with the Security Officer, inform her/him of your disability and the way in which you can communicate. TSA Security Officers are trained to provide whatever assistance they can to persons with hearing disabilities.

• If you are concerned or uncomfortable with going through the walk-thorough metal detector, you can ask for a full body pat-down of your person and a visual and physical inspection of the exterior component while it remains on your body.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season whether traveling or not – Hearing Aid Express.

The holidays can be stressful. There’s lots of hustle and bustle this time of year to make sure everything’s perfect for the season. Shoppers are hurrying to make sure every detail is considered.

One detail you don’t want to overlook is your hearing. There’s plenty to be heard this time of year – carols, greetings from friends and family and giggles from happy children.

For those experiencing hearing loss, the season can be incredibly frustrating. If you suspect you have a hearing loss, don’t keep putting off doing something about it. The longer you are missing important sounds in your life.  If you are a concerned family member of a loved one you suspect has a hearing loss, offer to go with them for a free hearing test and consultation this holiday season, and help them take the first step in improving their quality of life for the new year.

Someone may have a hearing loss if they have a hard time hearing children’s and women’s voices, notice they like the television louder than others or find themselves asking others to repeat themselves. Hearing loss also makes it more difficult to hear on the telephone or in noisy environments.

If you’re not certain if you or someone you love has a hearing loss, the best holiday advice we can give: get a free hearing test and consultation this season.  Visit one of our stores or contact us for more information about hearing loss and hearing aids. Happy Holidays.

If your thinking about getting a new hearing aid, consider the new ReSound Alera. It wirelessly streams sound from your television, mobile phone and computer to your hearing aids.

In a recent story by the Chicago Tribune, ReSound’s Alera hearing aid was listed as a gadget that makes life easier for seniors.

The Alera hearing aid comes in three models to ensure there’s a fit for your specific needs. It also has a water-resistant coating to protect against damage from moisture, humidity, dirt and debris. This hearing aid also comes with surround sound to help you hear rich sound while maintaining awareness of the sounds around you – even in hard-to-hear listening environments.

If you’re considering this hearing aid, call Hearing Aid Express today for a free hearing test, consultation and demonstration.  Don’t forget to check out this review by the Chicago Tribune – click here

Texans listen up: if you have a hearing loss, free help is available.
 
First, if you do have a certain level of hearing loss, we can help you get a free  amplified  telephone through the state’s STAP (Special Telecommunications  Assistance Program) so you don’t have to strain to hear  those important conversations. 

STAP is part of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and is funded by taxes assessed on people’s telephone service. A portion of these taxes is used to fund the STAP program and pays for the amplified telephones. The program pays for one telephone per household every five years.

To be eligible for the program, we need a copy of a recent hearing test. If you haven’t had your hearing tested recently, we can screen your hearing in our offices for free.
       
If you have a certain level of hearing loss, we will help you fill out your STAP   application and mail it in for you. If you are  eligible, you will receive a voucher from the state. Bring us that voucher and you will be able to select the phone that’s best for you.       
 

We have corded and cordless phones. Some are designed to us with caller ID while others are not. We even have Bluetooth neck loops designed to work with compatible cell phones.

Stop wondering if you have a hearing loss. Call the hearing professionals at Hearing Aid Express today.

Do you have a hearing loss, but aren’t ready to wear hearing aids all the time to improve your hearing in both ears?

Panasonic has released a new product that may be just right for you. 

Panasonic’s JZ is a new type of hearing aid that is stylish, comfortable and easy to use. Designed to look like a small music player, it allows you to hear better from both ears using only one device. It’s like getting two hearing aids for the price of one.

Panasonic’s JZ will help you hear the sounds from your everyday life, including your friends and family, your television and stereo. It will fit easily inside your purse or pocket so you can carry it with you.

Because the Panasonic JZ looks more like an MP3-style music player,  your friends and family won’t even suspect you have a hearing loss. This style is also a good alternative for those who spend a lot of time reclining,  but still want to hear better.  It’s size makes it easy to use and adjust for those whose ability to manipulate small buttons just isn’t what it used to be.

With this new style of hearing instrument adjusts easily to up to four different sound environments. That means with a quick,  push of a button you will be able to hear better in various sound situations such as watching television or talking with friends and family.
 
The JZ comes with noise reduction, wind suppression and feedback suppression technology. It is also rechargeable or can use AAA batteries and comes in three      colors — red, blue and silver.

If you are unsure if you have a hearing loss, take this quick survey. If you respond ‘yes’ to some of these questions you may have a hearing loss.

DO YOU?

 Have any difficulty hearing on a phone?

Find that friends and family often tell you the television is too loud?

Find yourself straining to understand conversations?

Have trouble hearing conversations in a noisy background such as a crowded room or restaurant?

Stop wondering if you have a hearing loss. Call the hearing professionals at Hearing Aid Express today.

In Texas, there are three groups of people who are legally allowed to dispense hearing aids: Audiologists, Licensed Dispensers and Medical Doctors.
While all Licensed Dispensers (including Board Certified Dispensers) fit hearing aids, not all Audiologists do. Some of them practice audiology in other ways, such as aural rehabilitation, balance treatments or screening newborn children.
Audiologists and Doctors of Audiology have to be licensed in Texas to dispense hearing aids. In addition to their schooling they also take continuing education classes to help keep their skills fresh.
Audiology has traditionally been a Master’s Degree program. In the past few years it has been transitioning to a Doctoral program. Audiologists who complete the Doctoral program earn their AuD, or Doctor of Audiology designation. Hearing Aid Express is pleased – and proud – to have Doctors of Audiology as part of our team.
We have Audiologists in all three of our major markets – Austin, Dallas and Houston.

We have launched new pages on our website to introduce you to these hearing care professionals. It’s all part of our continuing effort to bring you the most appropriate hearing help delivered by caring, competent professionals.

Yes it is!  ReSound, a worldwide leader in hearing aids, has just released their Alera product.  Alera represents a big change – it’s not just “this year’s new hearing aid”.
It has a brand new integrated chip with much more memory than their prior products.  Why is this important?  Because it means the hearing aid can do more – which means more for you.

It is a small, instant-fit RIC (receiver-in-canal) hearing aid with advanced Surround Sound, which makes it easier to hear in noise and other situations. 

What About the Wireless Part?

This is where it gets even better!  ReSound has also released accessories that work with this hearing aid wirelessly.  There are currently three accessories:

Wireless TV Streamer – this one is great for the hearing aid wearer, and maybe even better for their spouses!  Have you been in a room with someone who has a hearing loss and tried to watch TV with them?  They sometimes have the television so loud you can barely stay in the room.  Alera and the wireless TV streamer make this problem go away.
This streamer plugs into your TV and connects to the Alera hearing aids wirelessly.  You have the television at a “normal” volume that is comfortable for you, while the Alera wearer has the TV sound transmitted wirelessly directly to their hearing aids at the volume that is comfortable for them.  No more shouting over the TV sound, “Time for dinner”!

Wireless Phone Clip – There are some other hearing aids designed to work with your cell phone, but they typically require that you wear something around your neck to connect your phone to your hearing aids.  Not anymore.
The Alera works with the phone clip – wirelessly of course.  You can have your cell phone in your pocket or purse and have the small clip somewhere in easy reach (such as clipped to the corner of your blouse).  When the phone rings, you simply touch the button on the clip to answer your cell phone.  Want the volume louder or softer?  Just touch the control on the phone clip to easily adjust the volume so it’s clear and comfortable.

Wireless Remote – The small, sleek remote works in a couple of ways.  First, you can use it to adjust your hearing aids, changing the volume or program as you move for example from a quiet room to a noisy one.  Second, you can also use it as a wireless remote control with your TV streamer.  Super-easy to connect (no wires of course!); this accessory is sure to be a hit with hearing aid users.
The Alera is already a great hearing aid.  These optional accessories make them even better.  ReSound offers the accessories under the Unite brand; their sister company Beltone offers a similar product under the name Beltone True.

Hearing Aid Express is pleased to offer the new ReSound Alera and Unite wireless accessories.  The Alera is a small, instant fit receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid which makes it easy for you to try before you buy.

Come see us at any Hearing Aid Express location and we will be glad to let you listen to these new hearing aids with their industry-leading technology.  You can even try out the remote and TV streamer right in our offices and hear for yourself what a difference the Alera makes, all at no cost or obligation to you.

Give us a call today and hear what you’ve been missing!  For the nearest Hearing Aid Express office, click here.

United States presidents, famous actors and actresses, Miss America and athletes have all suffered from hearing loss.

It isn’t a condition that many of us plan for. In many instances it happens gradually and over time. You may wake up one day and realize that your hearing just isn’t as good as it used to be.

It happens to millions of Americans, more than 35 million to be exact. That number happens to include, former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan; actors Sally Fields, Burt Reynolds and Robin Wright. It is also a condition that has impacted the lives of Hall of Fame football player Mike Singletary, race car drivers Al & Bobby Unser and rocker Bono.

Hearing loss didn’t keep them from important meetings with foreign delegates or even from the music they loved.

If you think you suffer from hearing loss, life doesn’t have to be a struggle. Hearing aids can often help. Many of today’s devices can also go unnoticed.

They can be so unnoticeable that even former Miss America Deidre Downs can wear them and feel confident in social situations.

“Wearing hearing aids again gave me the ability to better participate in life – school, family, and friends. Hearing aids have diminished the impact hearing loss has on my life. I finally feel like I can hear as well as a normal hearing person,” she has said.  “My friends, family and classmates no longer have to constantly repeat themselves. I don’t have to use closed captioning on TV anymore and I rarely miss pieces of conversations – even in noisy restaurants. It’s been an unbelievable life change for me, my family and my friends.” 

If you have a hearing loss, don’t let it keep you from communicating with family and friends or from participating in your life. Visit Hearing Aid Express today for a free hearing test and consultation.

Hearing Aid Express is now offering Panasonic hearing systems.

Panasonic is not a newcomer to helping consumers hear better. The company has been offering hearing technology abroad for more than 50 years. Now, for the first time, this technology is available in the United States , and Hearing Aid Express is the first to bring it to you.

Panasonic’s hearing system line includes the 4 Series Receiver-In-Canal, the 2 Series Behind-The-Ear and the JZ Series. These hearing instruments include Panasonic’s own Digital Signal Processor to help deliver high-quality sound and enable precise reproduction of the original sound through advanced audio and acoustic technologies.

Whether you’re listening to a group of friends in a crowded restaurant or sharing a conversation in the privacy of your home, Panasonic’s Intelligent Scene Selector adjusts the listening mode to enhance the delivery of crisp, clear sound. Unlike units that require manual adjustment of present memory and volume settings, Panasonic hearing instruments automatically select the appropriate listening mode from up to seven different sound environments to optimize audibility and speech recognition.

Dual Focus helps users understand speech by focusing on the conversation in front of you and suppresses surrounding noise through the use of dual microphones.  The result is less noise from the sides and behind you and clear sounds from the front to help make hearing in noisy situations more comfortable.

Wind Suppression and Dual Filtering Feedback Cancellation help create a clear reception of the sounds you want to hear.

High performance and advanced signal processing typically leads to a shorter battery life, but Panasonic’s unique circuit design and optimized signal processing reduces power consumption to extend the battery life of your hearing instrument. When your battery runs low, the Battery Alarm will notify you it needs to be replaced. Panasonic hearing instruments operate in the “green” by minimizing frustration, expense and impact on the environment caused by frequently having to change batteries.

To learn more about Panasonic hearing systems, call Hearing Aid Express today for a free hearing test and demonstration.

Imagine this scenario:  you’ve just finished getting an eye exam. As you suspect your doctor tells you that you will need a pair of contacts or eyeglasses to correct your vision.

You know you need to see well, and you realize your ability to see impacts nearly everything: your freedom, your safety and your day-to-day living.

“Can I get just one contact lens,” you blurt out to your physician, wondering if it would just be less expensive. After all, you reason, isn’t one corrected lens good enough?

As absurd as this question is it’s the same scenario that is playing out in hearing clinics across the country.

Just like impaired vision, the conditions that have caused damage to one ear have very likely caused damage to both ears. While you most certainly wouldn’t consider getting just one lens in a pair of eye glasses, many are opting for just one hearing aid when most of the time they really need two.

Having two hearing aids helps you hear more clearly so you can pinpoint where sounds are coming from.

Here are 7 more reasons why you should consider wearing 2 hearing aids:

1.You will have greater understanding in noisy environments.
2.You will experience smoother tone quality.
3. You will be able to hear more sounds.
4.Using both ears to hear helps you preserve the hearing ability you have in both ears.
5.Because you won’t have to work as hard to hear, creating an easier listening experience.
6.Hearing in both ears creates a sense of balance
7.You won’t be as shocked by loud noises.
 

If you think you or someone you care about has a hearing loss, call Hearing Aid Express today for a free hearing exam.