Hearing Aids

Hear Better, Live Better

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Free Hearing Aid Consultation

At Higgins Hearing & Audiology in Traverse City, we’re committed to helping you regain the full joy of hearing. Our experienced and friendly audiologists specialize in comprehensive hearing testing and personalized hearing aid solutions. We believe that everyone deserves to experience life’s beautiful sounds, and we’re here to ensure you do too.

Is it Time for Hearing Aids?

Hearing loss is a sudden or gradual decrease in how well you can hear. It is one of the most common conditions affecting older and elderly adults.  Hearing loss can affect people of all ages. Some children are born with hearing loss and some develop it early in life. You don’t have to be older to have hearing loss. Having trouble hearing can make it hard to understand and follow a doctor’s advice, to respond to warnings, and to hear doorbells and alarms. It can also make it hard to enjoy talking with friends and family. All of this can be frustrating, embarrassing, and even dangerous.

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Do others complain the TV is too loud?

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Do you notice any ringing or buzzing sounds in either ear?

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Do you avoid going out because you'll struggle to hear?

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Do you ask others to repeat themselves?

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Do you have more trouble hearing women than men?

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Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy room?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brands

Find the Right Hearing Aid for You

We are here for one purpose: to serve our patients. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible hearing care we can, based on your individual needs. You might need hearing aids but maybe you aren’t too sure about the selection process, we can help. Your listening needs, physical abilities and budget concerns are factors we will consider when choosing hearing aids. 

Hearing Aids We Carry

9

Oticon

9

Resound

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Starkey

9

Widex

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Phonak

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Signia

9

Unitron

Advances in Technology

Rechargeability

Many of the devices we use every day can be powered by one or two types of batteries, rechargeable batteries or disposable batteries. Hearing aids are no different. Rechargeable hearing aids are becoming more popular every year.  And as their popularity has increased the number of models that offer rechargeable batteries has increased. 

Bluetooth

Bluetooth technology is the most recent advance in hearing aids. It is a way to send digital information wirelessly over short distances. Bluetooth technology works to allow two hearing aids to wirelessly communicate with each other and also allows the user to connect to devices in their home and car, like a DVD player, computer, GPS, and cell phone.

Hearing Aid FAQ

If you have a question about your hearing, you’re not alone. Current estimates place the number of hearing impaired adults in the Unites States at just over 37 million.

Who is more likely to experience hearing loss, men or women?

Men are more likely to experience hearing loss than women.

Warning signals that your loved one may have hearing loss.
  • The TV gets louder and friends and family complain about the volume.
  • They don’t hear the microwave when it beeps, or the timer on the stove.
  • They don’t notice they’ve left their directional signal on because they don’t hear it.
  • They don’t respond when spoken to.
  • They lean in closer to people who are talking to them, often leading with one ear.
  • They only seem to notice they are being spoken to if they are facing the person speaking.
  • They give the wrong answers to questions.
  • They frequently ask a question or introduce a topic that has just been discussed by others close by.
  • They appear to have “selective hearing”.
  • They smile and go along with what has been said but clearly aren’t following along.
  • They stop attending social activities or events
  • They have difficulty understanding young people, children, women, or others who are soft spoken.
  • They are startled frequently, saying “I didn’t hear you come in”.
  • They say “What?” a lot.
The effects of hearing loss.

When you have a hearing loss, the effort of listening becomes much more stressful and causes some people to experience anxiety or even high blood pressure. Often, people with hearing loss withdraw from social activities and thus, experience a loss of social connections and reduced interaction with others. Folks may become isolated or even depressed as a result. Research studies show that increased hearing loss results in reduced earning potential. A January 16, 2012, New York Times article quoting sources from Johns Hopkins University Center on Aging and Health and the National Institute on Aging reported that with every ten decibel decrease in hearing, the risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia increases by twenty percent.

“Social Connectedness” is a term to describe the social interactions and relationships people maintain. This is considered the most important factor in our overall health. When social connections and interactions decline, ALL aspects of health decline. The most important sense for maintaining social connectedness, is good hearing. “Blindness separates people from things, deafness separates people from people.”-Helen Keller

Hearing is often our most neglected sense. Perhaps that is because it is the one we can’t control or choose when to use it or because you can’t look at someone and know how well they hear. Regardless of the reason, maintaining good hearing is vital to all aspects of our being.

Even mild hearing loss has an impact on communication, occupation and recreation. Everyone should have regular hearing evaluations to document their hearing levels and thus have a baseline by which to compare future evaluations to.

There are 3 types of hearing loss:

  • Sensorineural
  • Conductive
  • Mixed 

Sensorineural hearing loss is the type people have 80% of the time. This type of hearing loss can only be helped with hearing instruments. Some aspects of sensorineural hearing loss may indicate that further medical care is warranted.

Conductive hearing loss is often medically treatable by your physician. However, your physician doesn’t know if you have a treatable hearing loss until after you have an evaluation by an Audiologist. Only an Audiologist has the expertise to evaluate properly for this type of hearing loss.

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both types. If your hearing evaluation demonstrates this type of hearing loss, then you will most likely need to get medical treatment first (to resolve the conductive component) and then return to your audiologist for care for the sensorineural component.

The importance of having a qualified Audiologist conducting the evaluation is in identifying when a condition requiring medical follow up is present and making sure that treatment is obtained BEFORE hearing instruments are purchased.

How does exposure to loud noise impact your hearing?
Approximately 15 percent (26 million) of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds or noise at work or in leisure activities.

FOllow Up & Care

Caring for Your New Hearing Aid

Proper maintenance and care will extend the life of your hearing aid. Make it a habit to:

  • Keep hearing aids away from heat and moisture.
  • Clean hearing aids as instructed. Earwax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid.
  • Avoid using hairspray or other hair care products while wearing hearing aids.
  • Turn off hearing aids when they are not in use.
  • Replace dead batteries immediately.
  • Keep replacement batteries and small aids away from children and pets.

Contact Us

1211 West Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684

Telephone: (231) 947-2420

Office Hours: M-F 9:00 - 5:00

*We are closed every day from 12:00-1:00pm