Consumer Resources
Signs of hearing loss
The following questions may help you to detect a hearing loss.
- Does it sound like people are mumbling or speaking too softly?
- Do people complain that the TV or radio is too loud?
- Do you have difficulty hearing in restaurants or crowded bars?
- Do you find that you need to ask people to repeat themselves?
- Do you find that you are saying "what" ore often?
- Do you have trouble hearing on the telephone?
- Has a family member or friend remarked that you miss parts of conversations?
- Do you feel that you need to concentrate when someone speaks quietly?
- Do you have trouble understanding rapid speech or unexpected conversation?
- Do you find that you are not going out because it is getting just too difficult to understand what people are saying?
If you answered "yes" to two or more of these questions, you may be having difficulty hearing. Please refer to our "find an audiologist" section to schedule a complete hearing evaluation.
Why are hearing aids expensive?
According to the American Academy of Audiology, these are some of the reasons hearing aids cost so much:
- They are sold in relatively low volume (i.e. approximately 1.7 million hearing aids for 30 million hard of hearing are sold per year, as compared to several million stereos).
- The amount of time and money spent by manufacturers on research and development is considerable. One manufacturer claims to have spent over 20 million dollars developing a single hearing aid model.
- The amount of time spent by an audiologist with a patient is very significant. Data indicate that an average of five direct contact hours is spent during the first year a patient receives hearing aids. This time is critical for new users, particularly to assist during the acclimatization process.
Audiologists, like consumers, are concerned with keeping the cost of hearing aids affordable. the reality is, communication is one of the most important skills humans have. So, if wearing hearing aids allow you to resume normal activities and communicate with loved ones, the cost becomes much more justifiable.
Consumer Links
American Academy of Audiology
The American Academy of Audiology promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness and support of research. for the consumer, the academy offers a variety of information including general knowledge of audiology, infant hearing, hearing loss, hearing aids, tinnitus, personal stereo systems and wireless technology just to name a few.
Audiology Online
Audiology Online is dedicated to serve as an informational resource for the benefit of patients. As well, Audiology online brings news, information and professional education to its readers.
Academy of Doctoring Audiologists
Founded in 1976, this international organization offers a variety of resources for both the practicing audiologist as well as the consumer including general information about hearing loss, understanding the services audiologists provide.
Healthy Hearing
General hearing and hearing aid information. An excellent resource for the general public and audiologists.
American Tinnitus Association
Committed to a cure. The American Tinnitus Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to tinnitus education, advocacy, resource and support
Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the New Hampshire Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through empowerment, education, and advocacy for equal access and opportunity.
American Speech Language and Hearing Association
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 223,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students.
Hearing Loss Association of America
The mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.
Hands and Voices New Hampshire
Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. They are a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children.