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Medical Services Hearing Aids
David C. Kelsall, M.D. Medical Plaza I |
Hearing AidsAudiologists at Rocky Mountain Hearing Aid Center, LLC, work with all major manufacturers of hearing aids that offer a wide range of technology. All digital products dispensed through our office come with a two-year warranty.
Hearing aidsPatients interested in hearing aids are encouraged to meet with our audiologists for a hearing aid evaluation. Once you have had a hearing test, your audiologist can determine whether you are a candidate for hearing aids. At the hearing aid evaluation, your audiologist will discuss the available styles and technologies that are most appropriate for your hearing loss. When choosing a hearing aid, your audiologist will consider your hearing ability, work and home activities, physical limitations, medical conditions, cosmetic preferences, and cost issues. Once you have chosen the style and technology of your hearing aid(s), the audiologist will take impressions of your ear(s) and explain other policies and procedures related to the dispensing of the hearing aids. The evaluation appointment lasts approximately 60 minutes. There is no fee for this visit. Trial Period: All hearing aids are offered with a 45-day trial period during which you will determine whether or not you are receiving benefit from amplification. Should you decide the you are not receiving satisfactory benefit, the aids can be returned. At this point, you and your audiologist will determine the next course of action. Payment and Fees: For hearing aid purchases and hearing aid supplies, Rocky Mountain Hearing Aid Center, LLC, requires payment in full when the hearing aids are dispensed. If you decide to return the aids during the trial period, we will refund your payment minus a $125 cancellation fee. Reprogramming and Adjustments: If you already own hearing aids but are not sure they are working correctly, or if you have questions about new technology, we can help. Audiologists at Rocky Mountain Hearing Aid Center, LLC, can also reprogram and adjust hearing aids purchased from other hearing professionals. There is a fee for these visits. Call to schedule an appointment. Bone anchored hearing devices (Baha)Baha for Single-Sided DeafnessBaha was originally developed for use with patients with conductive hearing loss who cannot, for a variety of reasons, wear a traditional air conduction hearing aid. Another, more recently developed use for Baha is patients with unilateral sensorineural deafness or Single-Sided Deafness (SSD). Using only one hearing ear, many patients with SSD are unable to localize sound and hearing in noisy situations is quite difficult. The Baha system allows patients to hear and understand sounds from both sides, rather than using only their good ear. This makes activities such as crossing the street, driving, participating in family gatherings, meetings and other group situations easier and more enjoyable. The Baha sound processor is placed behind the ear on the deaf side, conducting sound through the bones of the skull, and stimulating the cochlea on the normal hearing ear. The brain is then able to distinguish between the sound it receives via the Baha system on the deaf side and the sound heard through the normal pathway of the normal hearing ear. Baha for Conductive Hearing LossChronic inflammation or infection of the ear canal can cause conductive hearing loss. The use of a traditional air conduction hearing aid can continue to aggravate such an infection. Therefore, these patients are often unable to wear such a hearing aid and are forced to go without hearing from that affected ear. In contrast, the Baha processor leaves the ear canal open, allowing infection and inflammation to heal, while still providing sound to that ear. Conductive hearing loss is also caused by congenital or acquired malformation of the middle or external ear. The may result in a missing or incomplete ear canal and/or middle ear. This condition also prevents the use of a traditional air conduction hearing aid. Some patients have chosen to wear a bone conduction aid, which is held in place by a steel spring headband. The skin also attenuates sound at high frequencies, causing poor or distorted sound quality. Constant pressure from the headband can lead to soreness and headaches. The Baha processor works without these side effects and preserves good natural sound quality. Patients interested in the Baha system should meet with one of our audiologists for brief pre-operative testing and discussion of the device and the fitting process. Patients should also meet with our neuro-otologist to discuss medical and surgical issues related to the Baha device. Patients with SSD must meet basic audiologic and surgical criteria prior to being considered for implantation. The Baha surgical procedure takes approximately 2 hours. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, requiring a 23 hour stay for observation. The procedure entails a small incision over the mastoid bone behind the ear. The Baha abutment is then fixed to the mastoid bone. Once the device is in place, the incision is closed around the implant. Fitting of the device is scheduled approximately 3 months after surgery, to allow sufficient time for healing of the site and integration of the abutment to the bone. Follow-up visits are needed at 6 weeks and 6 months post-fitting and then every six months after that. Objective and subjective audiologic testing will be performed at some of these visits in addition to checking stability of the device. You may also visit the manufacturer’s website for additional
information about Baha:
Implantable hearing devices
Custom hearing protection and recreational productsA variety of custom noise protection, swim molds, and ear molds for hearing aids, cell phones, and personal stereos are available in a variety of styles. These products require an impression of your ears, which we can provide. This appointment lasts approximately 30 minutes. Payment and Fees: Payment is due in full at the time the order is place for custom noise protection devices, ear molds and swim molds.
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