Q. How do hearing aids work?
Here is how a hearing aid works step-by-step:
- Microphones pick up sounds
- Sounds are analysed by the processing chip
- Processed sounds are sent to the amplifier
- Amplified sounds are sent to the loudspeaker
- Sounds are transmitted by the loudspeaker into the inner ear, via tubing in an ear mould in the ear canal, or via a thin wire to a receiver in the ear
- In the inner ear the sounds are transformed into electrical impulses
- Impulses are picked up by the brain where they are processed
Q. What areas do you cover?
For more information on our locations, click here.
Q. Are all hearing aids the visible bulky body-worn things I remember from my childhood?
The small completely in the canal hearing aids and receiver in the canal products give fantastic performance, great cosmetics and are reasonably priced too.
Q. How old do I need to be before I need a hearing aid?
This can be a real problem socially, and whilst indicative of the onset of a hearing problem, a hearing check just in case can often set the mind at rest.
Also bear in mind hearing protection in noisy environments at work today in your younger years mean better hearing later in life!
Q. If I start wearing a hearing aid which amplifies sound into my ear, won't it make the hearing worse?
Excessive noise amplification (such as a large lorry going past you when you have your hearing aid in/on) can have circuitry especially designed to compress the loud sounds or clip the loud sound and protect the residual hearing further.
Q. What is the actual cost to me?
However, we do offer hearing aids on a FREE trial basis so if you are not completely satisfied over a couple of weeks, you can return them to us.
Finance is also available on all hearing aids enabling you to spread the cost over 12 or 36 months.
- Interest free up to a year
- Or 14.9% APR for three years
Click here for more information on splitting the cost.
Q. What about everyday running costs?
Whilst we do offer rechargeable hearing aids, most hearing aids require batteries. We only sell the highest quality batteries at £2.99 for a pack of 6 or £10 for 4 packs of 6 (£11 posted out to you).
The Carefree Club is a membership plan that allows you to cover the cost of your hearing healthcare monthly, including a wide range of benefits such as yearly battery supply, wax filters, mechanical breakdown, loan aids and discount on new hearing aids. (To see the full table of benefits, click here).
Q. What guarantees, and what do I get for my money?
The guarantees tend to vary from company to company, but at Hearing Aid Solutions we offer a no quibble guarantee on materials and workmanship of 24 months from date of fitting as standard, with further extensions of warranty period with the Carefree Club.
Q. Do you take on a client who has been fitted elsewhere and may be out of warranty with them?
Q. Are you a salesman?
We pride ourselves on our training and try never to apply pressure and "make a sale". It is more important that you the customer feel completely confident and motivated towards the use of a hearing instrument. If a high pressure sale is made and the client is unhappy then the aid is more likely to be rejected.
Q. Are you qualified?
All of our audiologists are constantly upgrading and updating our skill-sets. We are continually attending training and academic courses, and specialise in different areas.
Our audiologists are all HCPC registered, and fellows of BSHAA.
Our centres are the only centres in Wales to be a member of AIHHP.
Martyn has been elected as both Chairman and Vice Chairman by fellow AIHHP members across the UK. Martyn is also a member of FSB and is a Fellow of the Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (FSHAA).
As well as hearing aid dispensing, Martyn is qualified in wax removal by microsuction, irrigation and endoscopic techniques (the only practice in Wales to achieve this).
Martyn's son Michael has also qualified as a Hearing Aid Audiologist and has been dispensing for over two years.
Sarah Foster is a highly qualified audiologist who specialises in Tinnitus, assessment, relief and advice (the only practice in Wales). Sarah is also an active member of the British Tinnitus Association.
As well as an experienced hearing aid audiologist, Gareth Morris specialises in all forms of noise protection from basic moulds to specialist presenter and music filters.
To find out more about our team, click here.
Q. Do I have any rights?
Q. Can I wear my hearing aid when I'm asleep?
Q. Can I wash my hearing aid?
If you wish to clean and maintain the hearing instrument, the tube and mould style of behind the ear instrument can carefully be separated to allow the mould and tube to be cleaned with water.
But the electronic bit - NO, if you are unsure, your dispenser will show you how and provide special cleaning fluid to assist.
Q. How do I know when the battery is flat?
Q. My new hearing aid fits well but sounds 'tinny' or 'bassy' why?
Often your dispenser will increase the restoration process over time so as not to make the sound too different. It is a matter of choice and persistence.