When I was 18 months old, I was diagnosed with a moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. I am 26 years old now. To me, hearing aids are second nature, and a large part of why I was able to attend mainstream schools and become gainfully employed without any other accommodations.
For the first 18 years of my life, I used analog hearing aids. Because I grew up with analog hearing aids and was accustomed to filtering out background noise on my own, when digital technology became available, I chose less expensive, lower-quality digital hearing aids.
I came to Audiology Associates for a new pair of ear molds, and Nola could not wait to show me their newest hearing aid, Epoq by Oticon. The first thing that attracted me to them is their sleek design (I am an aspiring architect after all!). It is half the size of the ones I was wearing, and a quarter the weight. No more sore elephant ears!
What really impressed me also is the box of optional accessories that comes with the aids and sets them miles apart from other hearing aid manufacturers. A tiny device called a Streamer that looks like an iPod hangs around your neck and connects with your cell phone, computer, television, landline telephone, and MP3 player through a Bluetooth device. With one push of a button, I can talk on the phone or listen to the television, and the sound comes straight in through my hearing aids.
Take away all the bells and whistles and the hearing aids sound clearer than any others I have owned. It took me about two weeks to adjust to the different technology, but I could tell immediately that the tradeoff would be its far superior clarity. I can hear better in crowded, noisy places.
The difficult economy we are all experiencing made me reluctant to try these hearing aids, but once I had them on, I recognized that the investment is well worth it.
Audiology Associates guided me through yet another one of their latest and greatest technology. It is clear to me that their service affords me a higher quality of life, and I am proud to be a client of theirs for 17 years and counting! —JM
If you would like to have a similar experience with your hearing, please contact Audiology Associates at 661-288-1400 and speak with Nola Aronson, Patrice Rifkind, Ginny Newman and Nina Ball.