Kelowna Hearing Clinic

An analog hearing aid is an older type of hearing aid that makes continuous sound waves louder. Speech and noise are amplified in the same way, so an analog hearing aid can be thought of as a device that turns the volume up on everything around you. They can be programmed for different listening environments that can be switched at the push of a button on the hearing aid.

More commonly found these days, a digital hearing aid will have all of the features that come in an analog device. Instead of amplifying all sound waves, a digital hearing aid will convert sound waves into digital signals, and then produce an exact duplication of the sound. The technology used in a digital hearing aid is more sophisticated and allows for more complex processing of sound. This gives them greater flexibility in programming to allow the sound they transmit to be matched to the specific type of hearing loss a patient is experiencing.

If you are unsure which type is right for you, contact our clinic and come see us to discuss your needs and options!

At our clinic, we use the pure-tone audiometry test which involves you sitting in a soundproof room while wearing headphones and pressing a button every time you hear a sound. This is a short and painless test that usually lasts about 15 minutes.

Wax filters should be changed every month to maintain optimal performance and cleanliness of your hearing aid. Along with the wax filter, hearing aid tubing should be replaced every four to six months, and domes should be replaced every two to three months if your hearing aid has those components.

You do not need a referral from your family doctor to see an audiologist. If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, it certainly is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor. However, you don’t need them to refer you to us in order to have your hearing tested.

If you believe your are experiencing hearing loss, don’t wait to see your doctor. Get in touch with us today for a free hearing test.

The act of not wearing a hearing aid in itself will not make your hearing get worse. What can make your hearing get worse is not wearing a hearing aid and needing to increase the volume on things like televisions, radios, and headphones, or needing people you are talking with to talk louder. We recommend you wear your hearing aid as directed by your doctor and audiologist. However, if you are not wearing your hearing device, be sure not to overdo it with turning up the volume.