Hearing Aid Services in North Carolina

Carolina Hearing Doctors has audiologists providing hearing aid services in North Carolina. Our clinics are located in Winston-Salem and Clemmons, NC.

Since 85% of people with hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids, we use the best technology to help you hear better. There are many kinds of hearing aids with different features like channels, microphones, and sizes.

At Carolina Hearing Doctors, Dr. Mills and Dr. Chesnut will help you choose the right hearing aid for you. Getting the right hearing aid is important because it helps you feel better and enjoy life more.

Talking to an audiologist and getting the right hearing aid can make a big difference in how well you hear and your overall health and wellness.

Hearing Aid Selection

From your hearing test, our audiologists can give you different hearing aids from many makers. We choose the best and most advanced hearing aids to help you hear better.

Hearing Assessments and Audiological Evaluations

These important tests help us find the best treatment for your hearing. They show how much hearing loss you have and what might be causing it.

We check how well you hear sounds and understand speech in both quiet and noisy listening environments.

We can also check how your middle ear works and how your brain processes sounds if needed.

Hearing aid styles

We use only prescription hearing aids that are specially programmed for your needs. Dr. Mills makes sure that Carolina Hearing Doctors offer a wide variety of hearing aids from all major brands.

As a local and independent business, we are not tied to any one manufacturer. This gives us, and you, lots of choices to find the best hearing aids for your problem.

We work with brands like Oticon, ReSound, Unitron Hearing, Phonak, Starkey Hearing Aids, and Widex.

There are many styles of hearing aids. Your selection of the most appropriate device for your needs depends on several factors such as:

your degree of hearing loss,
features necessary to meet your individual needs,
your manual dexterity,
cost factors,
cosmetic concerns

The most common hearing aid styles are listed below:

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)

Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are the smallest type of hearing aids. They go deep into your ear canal and can’t be seen from the front or side. Because they are so small, they can be hard to handle and usually need a “removal string” to take them out of your ear. These hearing aids completely fill your ear canal.

In-the-Canal (ITC)

In-the-canal hearing aids fit inside your ear canal but don’t go into the outer part of your ear. These are very popular because they are small. You need good finger skills to use them, but they are easy to put in and take out. They can be rechargeable or use batteries, and they can connect to smartphones wirelessly.

In-the-Ear (ITE)

In-the-ear aids fill the entire ear opening and are the most noticeable of all hearing aids. They are usually the least expensive but easiest to operate. This is often the best choice for someone needing an aid that is to insert and manipulate. They are rechargeable or battery-operated and feature the most wireless capabilities to connect to smartphones.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

Behind-the-ear hearing aids are the largest type of hearing aids and have special benefits. The main part sits behind your ear, and a custom piece fits comfortably inside your ear.

These hearing aids are very flexible and have the most features. They can reduce background noise, make sounds clearer, improve phone calls, and provide the most sound amplification. You can choose between rechargeable and battery-operated options. They also have many wireless features to connect to smartphones.

Hearing Aid Fitting

During your first visit to Carolina Hearing Doctors, we will talk about your lifestyle, your hearing needs, and what we find during your exam. We will then give you a recommendation based on all this information.

We don’t recommend hearing aids just based on price. Instead, we use a special process to recommend exactly what you need – no more, no less.

Our audiologists recommend hearing aids based on the following:

your degree of loss
the causes and factors that led to your hearing loss
your age and length of hearing loss
your word understanding ability in quiet and noise
your dexterity
personal preferences
the level of your social and personal activity

Too often, a hearing aid salesperson will choose a hearing aid based on what you want to buy, not what’s best for your hearing.

At Carolina Hearing Doctors, we always think about your hearing needs first. Then we talk about your personal preferences, likes, and dislikes.

Hearing Aid Programming and Adjustments

Programming and adjusting hearing aids is important to make sure they work their best and meet your needs. You might need regular adjustments because your hearing can change, or you might have comfort issues or new listening environments.

Audiologists use special software to fine-tune settings, like adjusting how the hearing aids respond to different sounds, reducing background noise, and making sure loud sounds are comfortable.

They may also use tools like real-ear measurements to check that the hearing aids are working correctly in your ears.

Your feedback is very important too. You can tell the audiologist how the hearing aids feel and sound, which helps them make the right adjustments.

The goal of programming and adjustments is to make sure you can hear speech clearly, feel comfortable, and be happy with your hearing aids. Regular follow-up appointments help monitor any changes in your hearing and lifestyle, ensuring your hearing aids continue to support your needs.

Counseling and Education

Hearing aids help 95% of people with hearing loss in some way. People with mild to moderate hearing loss who haven’t had it for long get the most benefit, but almost anyone with hearing loss can hear better with hearing aids.

Since everyone’s hearing is different, the results will be a bit different for each person.

An 82-year-old can expect a different improvement than a 62-year-old.
A machinist who has worked around loud noise for 30 years will get different benefits than an office worker who hasn’t been around loud noise.
Someone with no family history of hearing loss will see different improvements compared to someone who has several family members with hearing loss.

No two people share the same genetics, medical history, work background, or noise exposure. As a result, no two people will have the same benefit from hearing aids.

Real Ear Measurements

Real ear measurements (REMs) play a significant role in fine-tuning hearing aids to an individual’s specific needs. During this procedure, a tiny microphone is placed in the ear canal to measure the sound level produced by the hearing aid.

This allows audiologists to assess whether the device is delivering the prescribed amplification at different frequencies. By comparing the measured values to target levels, adjustments can be made to ensure the hearing aid provides accurate and personalized amplification.

Real ear measurements enhance the precision of fitting, resulting in improved speech intelligibility, comfort, and overall effectiveness of the hearing aid in real-world listening situations.

Carolina Hearing Doctors audiologists in North Carolina practice real ear measurements as part of the hearing aid fitting and programming process.

Evaluation Period and Warranty

On all new hearing aids, we provide an uncommonly long 6-10 week trial period. During these initial weeks, we make all necessary adjustments and perform verification tests to properly set your hearing level.

It often requires the brain 6 weeks to adapt to better hearing so by the end of the trial period you’ll be fully adapted to your improved hearing.

If your hearing aids are not meeting your needs we can exchange them for another type or manufacturer and your trial period starts over. Or, you may elect to stop the trial and simply return your hearing aids for a refund.

We offer a 3-year comprehensive warranty on most of our hearing aids. This provides coverage for damage or repair during your first three years. If your hearing aid is sent for repair we can often provide a loaner instrument for use during that time. Emergency/same day appointments are typically available.

FREE services during your 3-year warranty:

Quarterly cleanings
Adjustment and computer reprogramming
In-office repairs and maintenance
In office modifications
Batteries for the initial year
Loaner hearing aids

Hearing Aid Repairs

Carolina Hearing Doctors provides repair services for all hearing aids, whether bought from us or elsewhere. Some repairs can be completed in our in-house lab, while others may require us to send the device to the manufacturer. We choose the repair method that ensures the best results in the shortest time possible.

Is there a warranty on repairs?

Yes, most repairs come with a 12-month warranty to ensure your device remains in optimal condition.

Follow-up and Maintenance

Proper hearing aid care is essential to preserving your newfound hearing. Maintaining your hearing aids correctly will help extend their lifespan and keep the sound clear.

Don’t take chances with your hearing or your hearing aids; take care of your devices by following these simple do’s and don’ts:

Do’s:

Replace your batteries on a weekly basis. When placing new batteries remove the tab and let it sit 5 minutes before inserting.
Clean your hearing aids weekly with a damp cloth. Occluding earwax accounts for over half of hearing aid repair issues. Remove earwax from the tip of your hearing aid with a brush or a small wax removal tool.
Turn off hearing aids when not in use. It’s also a good idea to remove the battery if not using it for a long period of time.
Always store your hearing aids in the same place, preferably in a case or a dry storage box. This will help you always know where they are but also protect them from inadvertent falls.

Don’ts:

Do not attempt to repair or augment your hearing aids in any way. Leave this to your audiologist.
Do not allow your hearing aids to get close to running water. Do not wear it during activities of high perspiration. If the hair alongside your hearing aids is wet then you should remove them from your ears.
Avoid applying hair spray and hair products while wearing hearing aids. These can coat the opening over the microphone and diminish your sound.

If you experience any difficulty with your hearing aids or are concerned/confused about proper maintenance steps, contact us today.

Carolina Hearing Doctors | Hearing Aid Services in North Carolina

Your hearing loss is unique to you and creates challenges unique for you. At Carolina Hearing Doctors, we specialize in you.

As Doctors of Audiology, we ensure you have the most accurate diagnosis that leads to your best hearing recovery.

For hearing solutions, rather than using off-the-shelf, standardized products, we tailor each solution to your individual needs.

Carolina Hearing Doctors provides comprehensive hearing aid services in Winston-Salem and Clemmons, NC.