FAQs

Being aware of the loudness of sounds is an integral part in maintaining hearing health. A sound is too loud if:

-You have to shout over the noise to be heard

-The noise or sound is painful to your ears or it makes your ears ring

-You experience decreased or muffled hearing several hours after exposure

Earwax, or cerumen, is healthy and good for the body in normal amounts, serving as a self-cleaning agent with its protective, lubricating and antibacterial properties. Without the presence of earwax, the ears may become dry and itchy.

Typically, ear canals are self-cleaning, with a slow and orderly migration of skin cells and ear wax from the eardrum to the ear opening. Through chewing and other jaw motions, old earwax is transported to the ear opening where they become dry or flaky and fall out.

Earwax is formed in the outer part of the ear canal, not in the deep part of the ear canal or the eardrum. This means thay by nature, earwax is not really deep in the ears – it only ends up that way because it may have been poked up with pointed foreign objects like Q-tips, cotton buds, bobby pins or twisted napkin corners. We highly discourage using foreign objects to clear your ears from earwax. A professional earwax removal session is a much safer option

If you can hear but experience challenges in understanding sounds picked up, you may have high frequency hearing loss.

People with high-frequency hearing loss miss out consonant sounds in high frequencies, which play a big role in speech understanding. If you are experiencing this, you could be a candidate for hearing loss. We recommend scheduling a hearing evaluation to check if you are suffering from high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.

For people with diagnosed hearing loss, we recommend getting your hearing checked annually. People with normal hearing are advised to get a hearing test every two years unless changes in hearing are observed.

If you’ve never had your hearing tested before, we highly recommend that you get a baseline audiogram. Baseline audiograms provide a good starting point for audiologists to assess your hearing and monitor changes over time.

Early signs of hearing loss can be subtle, unnoticeable even. The most common sign of hearing loss has something to do with ‘hearing but not understanding.’ In fact, 90% of hearing loss cases are linked to damaged inner ear hair cells. When the delicate hair cells of the inner ear are not functioning properly, the brain cannot receive all the information it needs to process and understand speech.

Initially, high-frequency sounds are affected including “f,” “s,” and “th” sounds. Voices of children and women may also sound garbled and distorted. As soon as you notice any changes in your hearing, see an audiologist to get an updated hearing assessment.

The best way to clean your ears – is not to clean them. Ears are self-cleaning and the presence of earwax is normal and natural. Earwax works as a natural and protective lubricant of the ear, keeping it shielded from dirt, dust, debris, small insects, etc.

Removing earwax on your own can actually do more harm than good. If you must really clean your ears, you can clean the outer part gently but we discourage sticking anything in your ear canal. If you are experiencing itchiness due to earwax or you suspect that you may have impacted earwax, call us at Pinnacle Hearing to schedule an appointment.

If you are employed and are diagnosed with hearing loss, there is a possibility that you can qualify for grant money that could help cover the purchase of hearing aids. Our team at Pinnacle Hearing can help you determine if you qualify for any financial assistance.

In most cases, hearing can improve. Certain types of hearing loss can be restored with medical or surgical treatment – however, this is less common.

Sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type of hearing loss, is permanent. Through audiological evaluation, we can help determine the type of hearing loss and make appropriate recommendations for a better quality of life.

The cost of hearing aids will depend on the type of hearing loss, its features and technology. At Pinnacle Hearing, we offer a variety of hearing aid brands with different price points that can suit everyone’s budget and lifestyle.

It depends. If you have hearing loss in both ears, you can enjoy better results with two hearing aids. 

Two hearing aids can improve speech understanding and provide better listening conditions for people with hearing loss in both ears.

Have more questions about using two hearing aids? Ask an audiologist today!

Binaural hearing helps localize sounds no matter where they come from. By using two hearing aids, you can easily and accurately focus on what you need to hear. Speech and sounds are louder and clearer, even with background noise.

The average lifespan of a hearing aid is between three to five years. Extend the lifespan of your hearing devices with regular follow-up visits and proper maintenance.

In some cases, hearing aids will not stop functioning, but the technology and degree of hearing loss may also change through the years and an update may be needed.

We discourage wearing hearing aids while being exposed to loud noises. Excessive noise exposure can make hearing loss worse.

If you know that you are going to be exposed to loud noises (mowing a yard, attending a concert, going to a shooting range), we recommend the use of hearing protection. You can also get custom molded hearing protection or foam plugs from Pinnacle Hearing to reduce decibel impact.

Pinnacle Hearing offers digital hearing aids which means that we can adjust the devices for any hearing loss changes.

Prescribed and properly-fitted hearing aids cannot make hearing worse. They are preset to a safe maximum level and are designed to make sounds clearer and sharper.

Initially, louder sounds you haven’t heard in quite some time may surprise you. Audiologists at Pinnacle Hearing will help you acclimate yourself to sounds during the hearing aid fitting and programming process.

Feedback is the whistling sound that can be heard from the hearing device. Feedback occurs when the amplified sound comes out of the ear mold and re-enters the microphone. A properly-fitted hearing aid will sit securely in the ear and will not produce feedback.

If you experience feedback, it may mean that the earmold is too small or there might be too much earwax in the ear canal. Schedule a consultation with an audiologist for hearing aid adjustments or earwax removal.

With so many options for hearing care and a multitude of hearing aid advertisements, deciding who to trust with your hearing can be quite confusing.

Why should you entrust your hearing to an audiologist?

An audiologist is a professional with either a doctorate or master’s degree in audiology with special training in the prevention, identification, assessment and non-medical treatment of hearing disorders.

The extensive credentials of audiologists provide comprehensive hearing services from diagnosis and consultation, to hearing aid fitting, adjustments, tinnitus management and continuing rehabilitation.

Audiologists are required to complete a full-time residency and pass a national competency exam. By virtue of their graduate education, professional certification and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing tests, fit hearing aids, provide hearing rehabilitation services and refer patients for further medical treatment.

This depends on the type of health insurance you have. Typically, Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids.

Our patient care coordinator at Pinnacle Hearing can check the benefits and coverage of your supplemental plan. Call us today at 501-225-6060 and we will collect the appropriate information to contact your insurance company on your behalf.

New patients can usually be catered within the same week the appointment is booked. Existing clients needing consultations, service or repair can usually be accommodated the same day or the following day after booking.

As a locally-owned hearing clinic, Pinnacle Hearing can offer a variety of manufacturers to give you the best hearing solutions available.

We carry the following hearing aid brands:

• Phonak
• Oticon
• ReSound
• Widex
• Starkey
• Signia