• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Family Hearing and Balance Center

Family Hearing and Balance Center

Doctors of Audiology

  • Family & Cardinal Main Page
  • Contact our Audiologists
  • Meet Our Audiologists
  • Hearing Aid Videos
  • Hearing Aid Labs
    • Jabra Enhance Plus – Over The Counter Hearing Aids
    • Resound
    • Oticon
    • Signia
    • Widex
    • Noise & Swim Plugs
    • Phonak
    • Unitron
    • Starkey
    • Audiograms Explained
  • Tinnitus
    • Tinnitus affects quality of life
    • Counseling Tinnitus and Misophonia
    • Levo
    • Resound
    • Widex Zen
    • Neuromonics
    • OasisPro
  • Balance Testing
  • Cochlear Implant Mapping
  • CaptionCall Phone
  • Show Search
Hide Search

I hear 1/2 of what’s said….

I asked, how are you hearing? How does your wife feel you are hearing her? He smiled and said, I only hear half of what she says. This coming from a man that has been wearing hearing aids for many years and wondered if his, nearly 10 year old hearing aids, should be replaced. It’s a testament to quality of the Oticon devices and his diligence in regular office visits for cleanings, that has kept his current pair working and essentially not failing. He, and our office, are dedicated to ensuring they remain clean and last as long as they can.

I said, I do believe we can improve that percentage quite a bit. After we evaluated the hearing it was observed a decrease in hearing bilaterally. Based on the age of his hearing devices, over 10 years old, we are limited in many areas to improve upon based on the age as well as limitations to digital processing. We discussed the many advantages of higher frequency sound processing. We can now provide audibility to the entire frequency range. His former devices were limited in the clarity and sharpness of speech. The new technology not only can improve speech audibility and awareness, but also can reduce background noise beyond compare. Direct streaming, rechargeability, and quality of sound will be quite meaningful to his quality of life. We are meeting soon to chat more of solutions. Let’s do better than 50%….:)

Written by:
Rich
Published on:
July 20, 2021
Thoughts:
10 Comments

Categories: Blog Categories Go Here, Community Outreach, Educational, Hearing, Hearing Aids, Miscellaneous, New Technology, Patient care, Philosophy, Slider, Testimonials, Tinnitus, UncategorizedTags: Dr. Richard S. Reikowski, ear doctor, family hearing and balance center.cardinal hearing centers, Hearing Aids, hearing doctor, Oticon, Rich Reikowski, Tinnitus assessment and Tinnitus Treatment

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah Roe

    July 20, 2021 at 11:27 am

    WOW, 10 years that’s incredible!

    Log in to Reply
    • Rich

      July 21, 2021 at 10:21 am

      Yes, it sure is.

      Log in to Reply
  2. Dale Hansen

    July 21, 2021 at 12:26 pm

    lol…yes! let’s do better.

    Log in to Reply
    • Rich

      July 22, 2021 at 10:17 am

      Right on. We can do better than 50%

      Log in to Reply
  3. Monica

    July 21, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Wow, 10 years is a long life span for a hearing aid! That’s fantastic.

    Often, hearing loss occurs over a period of years, but most do not notice the effects until it worsens. Hearing loss occurs gradually over time for most folks. It is our brain that processes the incoming sounds. Once we are fit with new hearing aids, it takes a couple of weeks to get acclimated, as our brains need to “retrain” themselves by getting used to the “new” sounds we used to hear, prior to experiencing hearing loss. Still, our hearing continues to change and decrease in hearing over time. It is essential to undergo hearing tests at least every 2-3 years. If further hearing loss is demonstrated, even a little; it is significant. It is essential that these new changes are programmed into your current hearing aids so that you may receive the maximum benefit from them. It is our job as Audiologists to ensure that this happens. Thank you for sharing.

    Log in to Reply
    • Rich

      July 22, 2021 at 10:18 am

      Great ideas and thoughts in your answer Monica. Thank you!

      Log in to Reply
  4. Elizabeth

    July 22, 2021 at 10:51 am

    Technology is amazing. How wonderful the advances are in hearing aid technology!

    Log in to Reply
    • Rich

      July 26, 2021 at 11:50 am

      Yes, it most certainly is amazing to see the hearing advancements!

      Log in to Reply
  5. Gail

    August 3, 2021 at 9:03 am

    I’m sure when he gets fit with newer technology, he and his wife will be very happy!!

    Log in to Reply
    • Rich

      August 31, 2021 at 8:25 am

      Yes, how true Gail!

      Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Explore more

Previous Blogs

Footer

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Sign up to receive an email every time we post a new blog!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Contact Us

Akron  330-644-1932

Northfield  330-468-4288

Log in

  • No Surprise Act
  • Diversity Statement*Privacy Policy