Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a hearing aid exactly?

A: A hearing aid is an electronic device that picks up sound waves with a tiny microphone. The microphone makes weaker sounds louder and sends them to the ear through a tiny speaker. Because a hearing aid is an amplification device, a person must have some hearing to benefit from its use. In addition, because hearing loss has a variety of patterns and degrees of severity and affects people in different ways, no single hearing aid is right for everyone.

Q: When should I consider getting an ear examination?

A: Ear examinations are universally recommended by the medical community to ensure there are no underlying diseases or medical problems causing the hearing loss. A hearing loss may be a symptom of another medical problem that needs a doctor's attention. Also, the cause and severity of a hearing loss vary widely from person to person. Have your hearing tested to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing aid. This test will enable a dispenser or audiologist to select and fit a hearing aid to your individual needs.

Q: Is there a trial period before I commit to one brand of hearing aids?

A: Many manufacturers, hearing specialists, and consumer groups recommend, and some state laws require, that consumers be given a trial period with only a small service fee [varying from five to 20% of the purchase price] if the consumer returns the product. A trial period is strong protection for such an important purchase, so ask before you buy. Storm Lake Hearing Aid Service provides a FREE 30-day trial period without any service fees.

Q: What causes hearing loss?

A: The two basic types of hearing loss are conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss involves the outer and middle ear. It can result from a blockage of wax, a punctured eardrum, birth defects, ear infections, or heredity. Usually, conductive hearing loss can be corrected medically or surgically. Sensorineural, or "nerve" hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear. It can be caused by aging, prenatal and birth-related problems, viral and bacterial infections, heredity, trauma [such as a severe blow to the head], exposure to loud noises, the use of certain drugs, fluid buildup in the inner ear, or a benign tumor in the inner ear.