Hearing Rehabilitation

What Is Hearing Rehabilitation?

Hearing loss can affect our quality of life, and sometimes we are not even aware of it because it can take place gradually. There are several causes for hearing loss--aging, disease, and injury are the most common. But whatever the cause, a professional rehabilitation program can help make communications easier.

Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center's hearing rehabilitation program addresses virtually every type of hearing problem you may have. The program begins by having an audiologist take you through a complete hearing examination. An audiologist is a highly-trained professional who specializes in evaluating and treating people with hearing loss. An audiologist is also trained to determine the most suitable hearing aid system for you and provides counseling and training to make sure you get the most out of it.

Once your hearing examination is complete, the results are analyzed. If you do have impaired hearing, you will be advised to consult with your physician. Once you are ready to be fitted for a hearing aid, you can select from a complete range of hearing aids offered by Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center, usually at prices far below those of other retailers.

The Benefits of Hearing Rehabilitation Include:

• Hearing other people more clearly
• Greater ease with telephone conversations
• Hearing TV, radio and movies more easily
• Fuller enjoyment of the many sounds that are an important part of life--music, nature, good conversation

How Do I Know If I Have Hearing Loss?

Symptoms are sometimes hard to detect because hearing loss can take place slowly over a period of years. Here are some common ones:

• Keeping the TV at a level that is too loud for others
• Asking people to repeat what they have said, or to speak louder
• Having difficulty hearing conversation when there are other people around such as at a theater, restaurant or social event
• Experiencing head noises such as ringing, or a feeling of stuffiness in your ears
• Feeling pain, itching or heat in or around your ear
• Feeling weary or tired early in the day
• Mispronouncing simple words
• Having a history of hearing loss in your family

Getting a "Hearing Check-Up" at SRRC

If you, or someone you know, has one or more of these symptoms, it makes sense to come to Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center for testing.

During the evaluation, the audiologist will use your responses to various sounds to map your hearing ability, and may also look at your ear drum using an otoscope. If you do exhibit hearing loss, the audiologist will recommend you see your physician for medical treatment, or be fitted for a hearing aid.

Getting the Right Hearing Aid without Wasting Money

Most hearing loss can be improved by the right type of hearing aid. Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center offers a full range of hearing aids, including advanced digitally-programmable types, at prices that are below those of other retailers.

The type of hearing aid you choose depends on a number of factors. There are several types:

• A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid (CIC) is the smallest, least-visible custom hearing aid.
• An in-the-canal hearing aid (ITC) is a small and cosmetically-appealing custom device with ample power. It works for most types of hearing loss
• An in-the-ear hearing aid (ITE) is the most popular style on the market. It is a mold that fits in the outer ear.
• A behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE) is connected to an ear mold and often used for severe to profound loss.

Like most electronic products, hearing aids have benefited from modern technology such as advanced circuitry that can be digitally programmed. These hearing aids use an analog system containing a small microchip that allows the wearer to "change channels" to adapt to different listening situations. They can be programmed to fit each individual's specific type and degree of hearing loss. Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center's audiologist will help select the right one for you, and work with you to make sure you get the most benefit.

No matter which hearing aid you choose, you will likely save considerable money purchasing it from Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center. Because Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center offers a complete range of rehabilitation services, we are not dependent on the larger profit margins normally needed by conventional retailers.

Your Next Step...

If you believe you might have loss of hearing, contact us at 269-965-3206. We will set up a time for you to meet with our audiologist.

 

Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center 393 E. Roosevelt Battle Creek, Michigan  49017 269 .965.3206