Understanding Hearing Loss

Hearing loss, whether due to aging, injury, or medical conditions, can significantly affect your daily life. It may make it difficult to follow conversations, participate in social activities, or fully engage with the world around you. If left untreated, hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal and feeling of isolation.

At Tustin Ear, Nose & Throat, Sinus and Allergy Center, our audiologist Dr. Ballain offers expert hearing care to help patients reconnect with their surroundings and enjoy life to the fullest.

request an appointment

What is a Hearing Aid?

A hearing aid is a small electronic device designed to enhance hearing for individuals with hearing loss. While hearing aids do not restore normal hearing, they amplify sounds based on the patient’s hearing test results, making speech and environmental sounds clearer and easier to understand.

Modern hearing aids come with advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity, noise reduction, and artificial intelligence (Al). Al continuously analyzes the sound environment and automatically adjusts the settings for optimal hearing, providing a personalized listening experience.

Types of Hearing Ards

Dr. Ballain works with leading manufacturers such as Phonak, Signia, and Oticon to offer the following types of hearing aids. The best type for each patient depends on their hearing loss, lifestyle, and personal preferences:

  1. Receiver-in-Canal (RIC): This popular style places the speaker in the ear canal with a thin wire connecting it to the device behind the ear. It works well for most types of hearing N, loss.
  2. Behind-the-Ear (BTE): Designed for individuals with more severe hearing loss, this type sits behind the ear with a tube that directs sound into the ear canal.
  3. In-the-Ear (ITE): This device fills the lower half or the entire outer ear. It’s custom-made to fit the unique shape of the patient’s ear.
  4. Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC): The smallest option, these hearing aids fit partly or entirely inside the ear canal and are custom-molded to the patient’s ear.

When to Consider Hearing Aids

If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to consider hearing aids:

  • Turning up the TV volume to levels that others find too loud.
  • Struggling to follow conversations in quiet environments or with background noise.
  • Frequently asking others to repeat themselves during conversations.

Hearing aids can help you regain clarity in speech, enjoy music and TV, and engage fully in conversations—ultimately improving your overall quality of life.

For more information on hearing loss and hearing aids, please contact Tustin Ear, Nose & Throat, Sinus and Allergy Center to make an appointment with our audiologist.