Hearing Health Information
The Beltone Difference
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Consistent Care, Almost Anywhere
Many hearing aid companies talk about the level of service they offer. But only Beltone has the largest network of hearing care centers in the nation. Nearly 1300 offices in North America for consistent care, almost anywhere. That means when you buy Beltone hearing instruments, you’ll continue to receive professional, prompt service regardless where you live or travel – all across our greatest continent. . . Top -
A Personalized, Interactive Experience
Hearing Loss is a personal matter. When you’re fit with a hearing aid, your thoughts and feelings should guide the process. At Beltone, the fitting process is interactive. Your input shapes the outcome. Our revolutionary Beltone AVE.™ system presents real-life sounds – rain, birds, conversation – and asks you to react and respond. The result is an individual fitting. And out proprietary Beltone SelectaFit™ software enables you to actually see the changes and improvements to your hearing on-screen. Beltone AVE. also includes a Hearing Loss Simulator that approximates your unique loss so family and friends can better understand how you hear. . . Top
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Attention That Lasts a Lifetime
When you choose to buy a hearing aid, you choose to improve your future. It’s a commitment that lasts beyond a one-time purchase. And it’s a commitment that Beltone takes very seriously. All Beltone hearing instruments come with the BelCare™ commitment: one of the most comprehensive network aftercare programs available. From your initial hearing screening, to your hearing aid fitting, follow-up service, maintenance, and beyond. BelCare assures you a lifetime of attention at any one of Beltone’s hearing care centers nationwide. No other company offers the same level of commitment. See you independent Beltone practitioner for details. . . Top
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The Most Trusted Name in Hearing Care
Buying a hearing aid is not a decision made lightly. That’s why it’s comforting to know that one hearing care company is trusted beyond others. Beltone has been helping the world hear better for over 60 years. We provide the most extensive education and ongoing training program in the industry – for the most professional, dedicated Hearing Care Practitioners in the industry. And Beltone’s proprietary technologies and ongoing research and development have set us apart as the most trusted name in hearing care among adults over 50.-
How do we provide such unprecedented hearing care? It’s the Beltone difference.
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Unprecedented Hearing Care
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Frequently asked questions and the answers you need to know for better hearing care. . . Top
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FAQ's
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Q: Am I at risk for a hearing loss?
A: Although hearing loss can affect anyone at any age, the greatest incidence of hearing loss is with seniors. In the United States, about 28 million people are affected to varying degrees. It is estimated that one of every four people over the age of 65 has a hearing disorder. The majority can hear voices but lose the ability to clearly understand speech. . . Top
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Q: How do I know if I have a hearing loss?
A: Hearing loss has many symptoms. Like most people, you may find that you cannot always understand what you’ve heard, especially in a meeting or social group gathering. Noisy environments – in a restaurant or in a care – may make it harder for you to understand what’s being said. As hearing loss progresses, listening from a distance and conversing with friends may become more difficult, sometimes leading to unnecessary isolation. Another frequent symptom is having trouble understanding the TV, even after you’ve adjusted the volume control. . . Top
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Q: What can I do?
A: A hearing evaluation by a licensed professions; is the best way to determine if you are experiencing a hearing loss. Everyone should have a “baseline” hearing evaluation regularly. If a problem is detected, an audiologist or hearing care practitioner should also discuss whether you might benefit from using hearing aids. . . Top
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Q: Will everyone know I’m wearing a hearing aid?
A: A hearing loss is much more conspicuous than a hearing aid. Some of today’s hearing aids are virtually invisible. You may be surprised to learn that some of your friends and neighbors probably already wear hearing aids, and you don’t even know it. People from all walks of life use hearing instruments, including business leaders, entertainers, and sports figures. . . Top
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Q: How do I know who to trust with my hearing health?
A: There are many reasons to have confidence in Beltone.-
A Leader In Health Care – For over 60 years Beltone has dedicated itself to better hearing care, providing products and services through a network of 1400 offices throughout the United States.
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Professional People – Independent Beltone offices are staffed with professionally licensed audiologists and hearing care practitioners who are trained in administering appropriate diagnostic hearing evaluations and fitting hearing aids. A copy of your hearing evaluation can be sent to your physician if you wish.
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Advanced Technology – Beltone offers an extensive line of hearing instruments, including digital and digitally program able products. Beltone has also developed revolutionary fitting software called Beltone AVE.™ (Audio Verification Environment). Beltone AVE. uses the latest technology to let you hear what a hearing aid sounds like in the real world. It allows us to choose and adjust your hearing aid in types of situations where you will use your hearing aid, before you leave our office.
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Customized products – At Beltone, we’ll explain the differences between various hearing aids and circuitry to help determine the products best-suited to your lifestyle and budget. . . Top
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Q: What’s my next step?
A: Schedule an appointment for a free hearing screening or call 1-800-BELTONE for your nearest Beltone location. . . Top
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How to understand and purchase hearing aids.
For over 28 million Americans with hearing losses the decision to purchase hearing instruments is often as daunting as deciding what type of hearing instruments to purchase. Remember that you are not alone. Beltone understands the confusion and provides these guide lines for consumers to consider before they make a purchase. . . Top
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Where do I start?
A comprehensive hearing evaluation is the first step in the decision making process. Adults over the age of 55 should have an annual hearing test as part of their routine healthcare. A licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist can inform you of possible medical reasons why you should see a doctor regarding your hearing. The hearing evaluation will determine if amplification will help. A Hearing Instrument Specialist will also explain your test results, as well as why you are having hearing difficulties, and give you options to consider in seeking amplification.
To postpone a decision about a hearing loss only complicates the problem. Studies report many side effects from hearing loss such as depression and isolation, lower self-esteem, poorer relationships with family and friends, as well as loss of independence. All of these greatly affect your quality of life. No hearing loss should be ignored!. . . Top
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If two instruments are recommended as the most appropriate fitting, should I buy two?
In most cases yes! You have two ears so that you can tell direction in the sounds that you hear. When only one instrument is purchases, you may not be pleased with the instrument’s performance and feel off-balanced. You will naturally want to “turn it up” as things don’t seem right. When the instrument is made to perform beyond its capability you may have feed back problems, notice too much noise, never achieve a natural state of hearing, or have a sense of direction in what you hear.
Today, most hearing losses can be fit with smaller sized technology, and the hearing aids are almost invisible when worn. Keep in mind smaller is not always better for
everyone. Large or arthritic fingers can’t always manage small instruments. Generally the smaller the instrument, the higher the cost. . . Top
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Which instruments are best for me?
While the size of a hearing aid is usually in the forefront of a patient’s mind, it is important to consider what goes inside of the hearing aid. “Digital” seems to be the buzz word for hearing instruments today, but there are several things to consider when purchasing a digital instrument. Price will tell a lot. Generally hearing instruments in the $500-$900 range are not the instruments that an active person should be wearing. They are usually manufactures with entry level technology, and may not perform as well when the user gets into noisy listening situations.
Even when a hearing instrument in said to be digital there are several questions that you should ask before you make a purchase as all digital instruments are not the same. Digital hearing instruments re available at several levels. Some instruments are set at the manufacturer with one setting, not allowing the Instrument Specialist to make any on-the-spot adjustments your hearing preferences may require. Then there are digital instruments that can be set with manual adjustments by the Instrument Specialist in their office. These again are digital in processing only, have one setting, and are not as flexible in adjustment as an advanced instrument.
The next level of digital instruments are programmed with a computer. This allows the Instrument Specialist to make the necessary adjustments while they are connected to a computer. These are a good value when the wearer is in listening situations without noise in the background. In listening situations such as ball games, restaurants or crowds, the wearer will have difficulties as the instrument is programmed with only the one setting and will not deal with background noise.
The most ideal, and the best value, for the active wearer are digital instruments that allow for more than one “program” setting. By simply pushing a button on the instrument, you can change programs as you move from different environments such as talking on the phone to a room full of family visiting at the dinner table, or from the pipe organ in church to the minister speaking. The wearer will receive the most benefit for the investment as these advanced instruments have a very natural sound, allow for a wider change in noise environments, and can be reprogrammed as the hearing loss changes. In some cases they can also extend the length of time worn before replacement. Prices will go up as you advance in the technology, but if the wearer leads an active lifestyle, these instruments are the best choice. . . Top
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What if I can’t afford the top of the line instruments, should I purchase hearing instruments?
You can do so with the knowledge that there will be limitations on what you can expect from your instrument. You still need to address the fact that you have a hearing problem, and purchasing instruments and wearing them are can go a long way in preserving your level of understanding. Even with limitations, you will find them beneficial, and your family will appreciate your efforts. . . Top
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What about service?
You expect full service on many things that you own, and hearing instruments should be no different. It is important to have them cleaned on a regular basis both inside and out. Questions about the warranties and service are also essential. Be sure to ask what would happen if you are traveling and need service. How far from your home are you going to have to travel to receive service? A bargain hearing aid is not a bargain if you have to travel a hundreds of miles over the lifetime of that hearing instrument for service. Many of the new digital hearing instruments have specialized software that is used to program then, and selecting a brand that has nationwide service options is important in today’s mobile society.
Everyone experiences an adjustment period when wearing new hearing instruments. Be patient. This time frame can vary for each person. How often you wear your instruments during this adjustment period will affect the length of time needed to adjust them. During this time, communicate with your Instrument Specialist. By doing so, small adjustments can be made to make them truly a custom product. State of the art Speech Mapping should be used to verify that your fitting is correct and that the best possible programs have been selected for your hearing loss. Your Instrument Specialist should be able to do this for you on a monitor so that you can see for yourself that the fitting is proper and understand what you can expect to hear with amplification.
You’ll be happy you have followed these steps and gain pleasure in being connected to the sounds of life!
Beltone has been a leader in the hearing industry for almost 65 years, and has a nationwide network of over 1600 locations staffed with Instrument Specialists and audiologists in helping and educating the hard of hearing.
Beltone also has the distinction of being the “most trusted” name in hearing aids by a national poll.
A help line is available for consumers for more information. The number is 1-800-669-3171
Your local Beltone offices are available for free information, free hearing tests, by either calling or visiting
Hearing with Both Ears ….. The best way to tune into life
Enjoy These Advantages When You Hear Well With Both Ears. . . Top
Hearing with 2 Ears
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Localized Sound
Localization is the ability to detect the direction and distance of sounds and can only be achieved with two ears. The sounds of a car horn or someone calling from another room, for example, will reach the ear they are closest to a few micro-seconds earlier than the opposite ear.
These differences are transmitted to the brain by each ear and enable you to identify the direction from which the sounds are coming. If you are only hearing correctly with one ear, the information will not be transmitted accurately to the brain. . . Top
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Balanced Hearing
Wearing two hearing instrument allows for a complete circle of hearing (360 degrees), rather than just 180 degrees, This “stereo effect” may help you more accurately and confidently respond to sounds on both sides. With both ears balanced, less volume from hearing instruments is necessary to reach a comfortable listening level. As a result, balanced hearing may help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to relax and enjoy a full range of sounds. . . Top
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Superior Sound Quality
Two hearing instruments require less volume than a single instrument and may provide you with more natural, clearer sound quality. The less you strain to hear, the greater your understanding of sounds around you can be. . . Top
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Better Speech Communication
Hearing with both ears may improve your ability to understand speech, both in background noise and in quiet situations. Binaural (amplification in both ears) hearing instruments use makes it easier to separate and understand individual voices, especially in noise. In quiet, a person with one hearing instrument may experience only minimal difficulty. But, in the presence of noise, the brain needs equal or balanced information from both ears in order to separate sounds efficiently and enhance its natural filtering ability.
You Were Given Two Ears for Good Reason
Binaural hearing (hearing with both ears) allows you to make fine judgments about sounds and to focus on a specific sound.
Most hearing care professionals agree that because gradual hearing loss typically occurs in both ears, it makes sense to fit both ears with hearing instruments. Think of it this way to correct a vision problem in both eyes, would you wear eyeglasses with only one lens?. . . Top
