Trinity Health’s Audiology department offers many walk-in services for people with over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids to help keep your devices in top working condition.

Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Adjustment:

Tricia Nechodom, AuD, cautions it’s important to remember that over-the-counter hearing aids are not verified to meet the patient’s prescription and may not be properly set. “When someone comes in with suboptimal outcomes, the goal is to optimize the settings of the device they currently have. Audiologists can help fine-tune over-the-counter hearing aids to provide enhanced hearing. If patients don’t see improvements, then we suggest trying a few prescription devices to see if we can provide better hearing,” she said. “Many of the patients who come into our office have already recognized the limitations of their device, so it’s not uncommon to upgrade to a prescription hearing aid. However, over-the-counter devices are a great first step into hearing healthcare.”

Device Cleaning: Good hearing device hygiene is important to ensure your hearing aids provide you the best access to sound. Audiology assistants provide a thorough cleaning of hearing devices and earmolds using an on-site Jodi-Pro suction tool that removes debris from out of reach surfaces on your devices. Every cleaning includes a cycle through the state-of-the-art ReDux dryer to remove moisture that may be trapped deep within your hearing aid, and finished with a listening check that verifies the device is working to meet your needs.

Device Troubleshooting: If your hearing device is not sounding as great as it once did, stop into the office anytime for device troubleshooting. Audiology assistants are available to diagnose the problem and make the repair in clinic, if possible. If on-site repairs are not available, the device also can be sent into the manufacturer.

Bluetooth Pairing: Not tech savvy? That’s okay! Many hearing aid manufacturers now offer Bluetooth connectivity options within their devices. If you are interested in utilizing these services, the Audiology assistants can help get you set up.

Supplies and Accessories: Trinity’s Audiology clinic offers batteries, wax guards, domes, cleaning tools and other accessories for purchase. If needed, Audiology assistants can help you find the correct supplies that suit your hearing device.

Damage Control: If you find that you have a broken battery door or crack in your casing, Audiology assistants have access to certain casings and can repair your device in the office.

Earmold/Custom Device Modification: If you find your custom earpiece is causing you discomfort, Audiology assistants can modify your device on-site to find a more comfortable fit.

Tubing Change: Patients who have an earmold that utilizes tubing can stop into the office for a tubing change at any time. Excess earwax can build up within the tubing, creating a blockage in a patient’s access to sound.

Repairs: We’re here to help. Trinity’s Audiology assistants are available for drop-off services for devices needing a repair, or pick-up services of a repaired device.

Trinity Health Audiology is located in Trinity Health West, 101 3rd Ave SW.

In October, a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule officially cleared the way for hearing aids to be sold over the counter without a prescription. Under the FDA’s regulations, people with mild to moderate hearing loss can now buy hearing aids in retail stores and online without being required to see a doctor for an exam to get a prescription. The change also eliminates the requirement to see an audiologist for a hearing examination and fitting.

“The new rule applies to adults ages 18 and older with mild to moderate perceived hearing loss,” said Tricia Nechodom, AuD. “The problem, though, is that most hearing loss is gradual and occurs over a period of time, so someone might think they have mild hearing loss, but when tested may register as having moderate to severe hearing loss.”

People with mild hearing loss may struggle to hear sounds like dripping water, whispered conversations or birds chirping. They often say they hear well in quiet environments when talking one-on-one with someone; however, not so well when they are in noisy environments, or when a person is facing away from them.

About 30 million Americans experience hearing loss, but only 20% of them get help. Research shows that untreated hearing loss can contribute to isolation, depression, cognitive decline and dementia in older people.

Generally, people who discover a hearing loss wait an average of seven years to seek help with hearing aids. Nechodom says that as the hearing loss progresses, the brain compensates, or “maladapts,” to try to hear sound properly. People who delay treatment over long periods of time become less able to understand speech over time. “Catching a hearing loss when it is mild gives you the best chance for success for hearing clearly with hearing aids and rehabilitation, because the maladaptive compensation processes in the brain are able to be reversed,” she said.

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids will be available to purchase at Keycare Pharmacy, B&B Northwest Pharmacy and Trinity Health Audiology department in early January. After a thorough vetting process, Nechodom settled on two devices she felt offered proper sound quality and cosmetic appeal at a fair price.

“The first hearing aids sent to us weren’t the quality I’d hoped for; they had a lot of internal noise, very little ability for the patient to adjust the settings and the overall sound quality was very poor, so we sent them back,” she said. “The hearing aids I chose come from reputable companies and sell for a fair price, ranging from $800-$1000 per set. I’ve been testing over-the-counter hearing devices for five years and the testing process makes me realize you get what you pay for,” Nechodom said.

Nechodom believes those who have recently acquired mild hearing loss are better equipped for OTC hearing aids because their brains haven’t changed as much. “Those are the patients I see as being very successful,” she added.

If you try an OTC device and still experience symptoms of hearing loss, consider an evaluation by an audiologist. Nechodom says that many companies who have tried making OTC hearing devices run into a common problem: they think treatment is as simple as wearing a hearing aid to solve all communication difficulties.

“Many manufacturers don’t understand how hearing loss is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain. It takes work, practice and counseling to get used to a hearing aid because patients are at different points in their hearing loss journey, so everyone’s brain is affected differently,” Nechodom said. “A hearing aid will not solve all the problems for patients who have had hearing loss for 20 or 30 years,” she added.

Trinity’s Audiology team also offers the 5 Keys Communication hearing rehabilitation program to patients and their loved ones. “Our hearing care is designed to go beyond the hearing test and hearing aids. Our goal is to teach communication strategies using methods that are easy to understand and incorporate into your daily life,” she added.

People with more severe hearing difficulties may need prescription aids or other interventions. These are people who have difficulty hearing even in quiet environments and struggle to hear loud noises, like car engines or construction equipment. If you are experiencing these symptoms, or a ringing in your ears, hearing loss in only one ear, a sudden onset of hearing loss, vertigo, pain, or fluid leaking from your ears, you should seek medical attention.

Trinity Health Audiology offers a full range of clinical services for pediatric and adult patients with hearing disorders and auditory problems. Call 701-857-5986 for more information or to make an appointment.