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The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is warning consumers of the inherent risks associated with purchasing over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all hearing aids instead of consulting a hearing healthcare professional. Hearing loss is sometimes the symptom of a serious underlying medical problem. All 50 states require that consumers use a credentialed hearing care professional to purchase hearing aids.

 BHI also points out that hearing devices that are purchased over-the-counter or Internet without the consultation of a hearing healthcare professional may result in the devices not being accurately customized to the specific hearing needs of the individual.

 ”Today’s state-of-the-art hearing aids should be programmed to the individual’s specific hearing loss requirements in order to provide good levels of benefit and customer satisfaction,” says Sergei Kochkin, BHI’s Executive Director. “The process requires a complete in-person hearing assessment in a sound booth; the training and skills of a credentialed hearing healthcare professional in order to prescriptively fit the hearing aids using sophisticated computer programs; and appropriate in-person follow-up and counseling. This is not possible when consumers purchase one-size-fits-all hearing aids over the Internet or elsewhere.”

 Extensive research shows that individualized hearing health assessments and fittings programmed specific to the needs of the hearing aid user provide the best chance for optimal hearing enhancement and customer satisfaction.

 “The best advice BHI can give anyone purchasing a hearing aid is to find a state credentialed hearing healthcare professional and to communicate openly during the evaluation, fitting and trial period to increase the likelihood that you are receiving the best possible benefit from your hearing aids,” says Kochkin. “It will make a tremendous difference in your ability to hear and in your quality of life.”

 The number of Americans with hearing loss has grown to more than 34 million—roughly 11 percent of the U.S. population. Over the past generation, hearing loss among Americans has increased at a rate of 160 percent of U.S. population growth and is one of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in America today.

 Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, increased risk of personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, and diminished psychological and overall health.

 But the vast majority of people with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. In fact, eight out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life, according to a survey by BHI of more than 2,000 consumers.

Advances in digital technology have dramatically improved hearing aids in recent years, making them smaller with better sound quality. Designs are modern, sleek, and discreet. Clarity, greater directionality, better speech audibility in a variety of environments, better cell phone compatibility, less whistling and feedback than hearing aids of the past, and greater ruggedness for active lifestyles are common features.

For a free demonstration of today’s technology, schedule an appointment with a Hearing Aid Express professional today.

The ReSound Alera, the first wireless hearing aid with no strings attached, now comes in two new styles.

Alera’s accessories send sounds directly from your television, stereo, cell phones and computer into your hearing aids so sounds are just the right volume for you.

ReSound recently introduced Alera behind-the-ear and remote microphone CIC styles. These new models are in addition to the mini receiver in the canal hearing system introduced last year.

“Other wireless technologies used in the hearing industry require the user to wear inconvenient accessories around their neck,” said Dr. Laurel Christensen, chief Audiology officer for Resound. “Alera allows the user to be successful in more situations than ever, making their overall satisfaction with hearing aids that much higher.”

Alera comes in three levels (at three different price points) to help ensure that there is a device that is tailored to your hearing needs and budget.

 Call Hearing Aid Express today to get a free hearing test and demonstration of this product.

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.

Many Americans suffer from hearing loss. Most of them are taking an average of seven to 10 years before they do anything about it.

That is a pretty long time to not properly hear the world around us.  You may wonder what’s the harm in waiting.  You probably think you can get by without too much of a problem. What’s the rush, you may ask.

All that waiting is more than likely causing more damage to your hearing.  Don’t let another month pass before you take action to improve your hearing health. This May pause to take time out to care for yourself and your loved ones during Better Hearing Month.

Consider what happens to a person’s arm after it has been in a cast for months.  Once the cast is removed, typically the arm will look smaller and less muscular than it did before the break.  This process can be defined as atrophy.  In layman’s terms, this means that if you don’t use your arm for an extended period of time, you lose the muscle mass and strength. This “use it or lose it” concept can also be applied to our hearing. However, the biggest difference between the two is that you can rebuild muscle mass after a broken arm.  Once you have hearing loss, most of the time, you cannot reverse it.

Studies have shown that the more proactive you are about your hearing health and the faster you pursue amplification once you are a candidate for hearing aids, the greater the possibility of the progression of the hearing loss slowing down somewhat.  It is important to note that this does not mean that hearing aids can stop your hearing loss from getting worse.  However, they have been proven to keep the hearing organs and nerves functioning longer than if aids are not used.

Think about the sounds that make up your world and your life.  You want to preserve this important sense for as long as you can.  If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with hearing loss, or thinks there might be hearing loss present, visit a local hearing healthcare provider like Hearing Aid Express to determine if hearing aids are right for you. There’s never going to be a better time to address your hearing health.

Hearing Aid Express always offers free hearing tests. If you know you have a hearing loss, take a look at our special offers and take the next step to improve your hearing.