Hearing Aids Specialist in Morgan City LA

If you are suffering from hearing loss, the specialist that will most likely be recommended and best suited for treatment will be an otolaryngologist, also commonly referred to as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. An otolaryngologist will be able to help diagnose the cause for the hearing loss and will be able to provide treatment options, as well as provide symptom management until the treatments are able to take effect. They will also be able to refer you to an audiologist, which is a type of specialist that focuses on just hearing, typically being the specialist that provides patients with hearing aids. Otolaryngologists will also perform surgical procedures of the head and neck, specifically working on the areas of the mouth, nose, ears, throat, neck and face.

Hearing aids are an incredible option allowing for those who have minor to significant hearing loss to have incoming sounds be amplified automatically based on the degree of their hearing loss and the volume that is required in order for them to hear clearly. Hearing aids can be entirely customizable to suit the specific needs and to provide the perfect amount of amplification that the individual patient requires to restore their hearing. They are able to allow patients to live and listen normally again but analyzing and adjusting the incoming sounds to be the right level of amplification based on the severity of the patients’ hearing loss to convert the sounds through the tiny speaker that is placed in the ear. Treatment including a hearing aid often proves to be the most effective for patients encountering sensorineural hearing loss but can provide substantial help in allowing patients to continue living comfortably and being able to communicate clearly.

There are several different types of hearing aids that provide their own benefits for each patient, with the types working slightly differently from one another due to the differences in electronics that are being used. Digital hearing aids will all work on a 3-part system in order to properly amplify incoming sound consisting of a microphone that receives the sounds and converts it to a digital signal, the amplifier taking that digital signal and increasing its strength, and the speaker producing the sound so that it can be heard at a good level depending on the needs of the patient. Hearing aids that are not classified as digital will typically be analog, which work by converting the received sound waves into electrical signals into amplified sounds so that the wearer can hear them at the correct volume for them. There is no real difference in quality for the two main types of hearing aids, the type that is chosen for each patient is entirely dependent on which is considered to be better suited to address the specific needs of the patient.

Your audiologist or otolaryngologist will provide you with all necessary care instructions for your hearing aid, but there are some general tips that you can keep in mind in order to prolong the lifespan of the hearing aid to prevent needing to replace it early. These tips include:

• Keeping the hearing aid clean and clear of any debris or earwax by regularly wiping it with a clean, soft cloth (focusing on the battery contacts and wax guards).
• Change the filters and wax guards regularly to help remove built-up wax and dirt to maintain sound quality.
• Try to avoid exposing your hearing aids to water, including taking them out while showering, swimming, or go into a sauna.
• Remove your hearing aids when using a hair dryer or hair spray.

Visit Southern ENT Associates today to get specialized care. We serve patients from Morgan City LA, Amelia LA, Avalon LA, Avoca LA, Bayou Vista LA, Idlewild LA, Calumet LA, and surrounding areas.