Hearing Matters

1 How to avoid costly mistakes

By Dr. David J. DeKriek, Au.D.

You’ve had the self-realization of hearing loss. You have also realized the fact that you need to do something about it. Your family and friends have probably known for years. Now what do you do? Talk to friends, look for ads in the newspaper, research online? Where do you go? Whom do you see? What should you ask? How do you make sure you are getting the best DEAL? We will get to the answers of these questions soon enough.

In my many years of patient care I have seen and heard it all, everything from people buying hearing aids online that were actually stolen property to the patient who bought hearing aids through the mail and the hearing aids never worked.

I have found that many consumers are confused, if you start looking online (which I do not recommend), you have to sort through many different websites many of which have one goal in mind... To sell you

hearing aids, that’s it. They could care

less about the care, education and

follow up that is

required for a successful hearing aid fi tting that can improve the quality of life for all who wear them. There are many different styles, models, and manufacturers to choose from.

hearing aids, that’s it. They could care

less about the care, education and

follow up that is

Trouble Hearing?Let me help.

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Dr. David J. DeKriek, Au.D.

• Comprehensive Audiological Examinations • Digital Hearing Aids and Service• Custom Earmolds and Swim Plugs• Ear Protection for workplace • Assistive Listening Devices• 0% Financing Available

www.FidelityHearing.com 13079 Artesia Blvd., Ste. B-104 • Cerritos, CA 90703562.275.3602

Five Things You MUST Know BEFORE Buying Hearing Aids

CONTINUED ON 4

See FIVE THINGS

13079 Artesia Blvd., Suite B-104

Cerritos, CA. 90703

Dr. David J. DeKriek, Au.D.Board Certifi ed in Audiology

562.275.3606

In-depth background and interview with Dr. DeKriek, Au.D.

“I started my interest in audiol-ogy when I had a friend who was in his grad program studying audiology. He asked me if I would be a subject for one of his studies. I had some free time so I agreed. His study was on auditory brain stem response. He did some testing on me and I found it very interesting. He suggested that I look into the career.

At fi rst I didn’t really think that was a reasonable suggestion but as I became interested in it, I did start studying it. Later I entered the grad program myself. That was at Cal State, Los Angeles. I got my Masters degree in Audiology and started prac-ticing immediately in a few different

What consumers need to knowclinics. I later got my clinical doctor-ate of audiology thru the University of Florida.

After graduation, I was immedi-ately hired by a manufacturer for Starkey Laboratories. I was on staff as a support audiologist and as a rep visiting local offi ces discussing differ-ent products and answering questions for audiologists.

In January of 2008, I made the decision to open my own offi ce in Cerritos, California, Fidelity Hearing Center.

I focus on setting my offi ce apart from the offi ces that are in the area. I do that by focusing on quality.

I don’t use any gimmicks, I don’t have ½ off or anything similar. I don’t believe in doing that, I think it is bad for the industry and it is misleading for

the consumer or the patient. My offi ce is very straight forward. When a pa-tient comes into my offi ce I tell them, after testing, what they can hear, what they can’t hear, how I expect that to effect them.

Usually if there is a family member present they agree and say “Yes, that is the diffi culty that we are having.”

After careful diagnosis and consul-tations, I can make a recommendation of a hearing aid and other suggestion that will help them communicate bet-ter.

I do this all for a very reasonable price. I do not compete with the ten thousand dollar hearing aids from Miracle Ear or the $600 hearing aids from other offi ces. At Fidelity, quality and customer satisfaction is our main focus.

Hearing Matters Visit our website at www.HearingMatters.com and see our educational video.

Hearing MattersBrought to you by Fidelity Hearing Center-Cerritos

Advertising supplement

www.HearingMatters.com

www.HearingMatters.com2 HEARING MATTERS Fidelity Hearing Center 562.275.3606

© 2009 ECNG, Inc. Reproduction prohibited unless permitted.

“I was virtually stone deaf. So I started checking out whether there’s some kind

of hearing device that would help me, and I believe by divine guidance. I was directed to Dr.

DeKriek. I was impressed by the physical setup, all his new equipment, and his obvious ex-pertise.

He fitted me with an aid and has, progressively, either im-proved or replaced the aid I had, so that now I can hold a conver-sation one on one with people without them having to shout at me. I don’t believe I would have gotten this kind of service any-where else. He cares about his patients, so I carry his business cards with me.

I totally endorse the work of Fidelity Hearing Center and Dr. DeKriek.

What are patient’s most pressing

concerns?Misinformation

I have patients who come into my offi ce who have heard many stories regarding hearing loss.

They are misinformed and don’t understand necessarily what problem they have or how to address it; how to fi x it. Many of them have gone to doctors who said, “Well you have a hearing loss that can’t be treated. It’s permanent hearing loss and there is really nothing that we can do.”

Inaccurate. Almost every hearing loss can be treated and be treated effectively and can be treated fairly quickly so that within a week or so, those patients can be hearing much better than they have for many years.

E� ects of hearing loss

A third reason is people really don’t understand how their loss of hearing affects them. Certainly the family members are aware but a lot

of times when someone has

hearing loss they don’t know how it is affecting them. I go over hearing loss with the patient and use some specifi c examples with their family members to show them the things they are missing. The patient is able to see the reaction his family,

friends, and co-workers can have fi rst-hand. The patient was likely not aware of the hearing loss affect, it is very frustrating for them.

So we not only want to fi x your hearing but also fi x the commu-nication with your family, friends and coworkers so that everybody is happier.”

Incorrect product

Typically they buy a product that isn’t the very best for them as a person. There are many hearing aids that treat different types of hearing losses. They are fl exible, but you have to be aware of other features that maybe should or shouldn’t be present for that individual patient.

For example, if a patient has a very tiny hearing aid, it is more convenient they change the battery themselves and place it back in their ear. If I have a patient that is 35 or 45 years old, it’s not a problem. If I have a patient who is in their 80’s and 90’s with limited dexterity, we must consider that in the hearing aid fi tting process.

Another factor to consider would be volume control that maybe that patient shouldn’t have. It’s actu-ally very common for me to have patients not setting the volume appropriately. Their family is usu-ally perplexed because they see the hearing aids in the ears and do not understand why they are not wor-king correctly. The user, for wha-tever reason, is turning the volume down to a point where he can’t hear or maybe turning it up to a point where it is too loud and it whistles and it causes him discomfort. This is another factor to consider when prescribing hearing aid.

Frequently, I have patients who come into my offi ce and have bought a hearing aid with features that they are completely unaware of (and pro-bably charged more for that feature). I thoroughly explain every feature on any hearing aid I recommend.

Will I get ripped o� ?

I also have patients come into my offi ce who have been to “corporate” type stores and have been told they need these very expensive hearing aids and that is really the only thing

that is going to afford them hearing again. In reality those very expensive hearing aids are marked up artifi cially.

So a pair of hearing aids at that store might regularly sell for $5000, their initial price is $10,700 and then they apply “discounts” to bring them down to $5000.

You couldn’t go and buy a car and have it start at $20,000 and then get a bunch of discounts down to $10,000. That just doesn’t make sense.

family members are aware but a lot of times when someone has

Interview with Dr. David DeKriek It either means they were ripping you off in the fi rst place or that they are giving you something for far less than it is worth and they wouldn’t be able to maintain the business.

There are more and more patients who are going online and seeing hearing aids advertised for “as little as $79 a month” or think they can buy hearing aids on Ebay. That’s because they see hearing aids as a commodity rather than a specialized product. Patients believe they can buy hearing aids much like reading glasses.

That’s unfortunate (and illegal) that they are available in this manner. Hearing aids are regulated and in many sta-tes, California included; it is actually illegal for people to sell hearing aids thru the mail. But there are unscrupu-lous people out there who sell mail-order hearing aids; the purchaser is unaware of the illegality.

Hearing aids are not a commodity, a patient must be ap-propriately fi t, the hearing aid must adjusted for their specifi c hearing loss, and the patient must return for periodic adjustment.

None of those things can take place over the internet.

Adapting to hearing aids is not an easy thing. It requires working with someone who can direct you and provide the appropriate changes at the right point in time. If someo-ne purchases hearing aids from my offi ce, the fi rst setting works well for

Should I buyonline?

them. But in 4-5 months, the audi-tory system will adapt and change and become more effective using the hearing aid so the hearing aid needs to be tuned and adjusted for them.

Again, none of those things can take place over the internet.

Also if people are exposing them-selves to different environ-

ments and hearing dif-ferent types of noises

we want to be able to fi ne tune the hearing aid to fi lter those noises so they are not as

troublesome and the hearing aid sounds comfor-table.

Again, none of those things can take place over the inter-net.

The hearing aid fi tting is not a product

driven type of service or tran-

Delight E. Macias

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

”

that they are available in this manner. Hearing aids are regulated and in many sta-tes, California included; it is actually illegal for people to sell hearing aids thru the mail.

ferent types of noises

aid fi tting is not a product

Wearing the best, S Series 11.Bill Westra

“I’m hearing better than I have in 10 years”!

Arthur Mojica

“RIC hearing aids are a perfect fi t”! - Hope Kerr

saction. It’s a service driven type of transaction.

If you go to an offi ce that knows what they are doing vs going to an offi ce where they don’t know what they are doing, the exact same hea-ring aid can have two different types of outcomes. So it has nothing to do with the quality of that hearing aid. It has to do with the quality of the service that you are getting. Going to an expert makes all the difference in the world.

There are no experts on EBay.

www.HearingMatters.comFidelity Hearing Center 562.275.3606 HEARING MATTERS 3


Is hearing aid satisfaction on the rise?

Yes it is true. Most hearing aid wearers have an improved quality of life once they have begun to wear hearing aids. Consequences of untreated hearing loss were analyzed and evaluated in a major study of older (50+) hearing impaired adults and their close fam-ily members and friends.

As hearing aid wearers reported, relationship im-provements and stronger sense of indepen-dence. Families of hearing aid wearers were even more likely to report improvements. Social interaction for many also im-proved. Among those with more severe hearing loss, hearing aid wearers were 25% more likely to participate regularly in so-cial activities then non-wearers. Non-wearers reported greater depression, and isolation. Com-paring hearing aid wearers to non-wearers found that the non-wearers were less likely to participate in social activities, and more likely to report depres-sion, anxiety, and paranoia.

Older non-wearers were more

older (50+) hearing impaired adults and

As hearing aid wearers reported,

likely to agree with the state-ment, „people get angry with me usually for no reason“. This study debunks the myth that untreated hearing loss in older adults is a harmless condition. How well a person hears affects his or her sense of well-being.

Unfortunately many have allowed themselves to remain in denial and buy into their vanity barriers.

This only separates them from real life, and often freezing

them from the wonder-ful spontaneity of

life and simple everyday con-nections with

important loved ones. They often become more separated and lonely with time as they and their hearing loss begin to age. Their own made up explanations conclude, “My hearing is not bad enough.“ “I can get along without one“ “It would make me feel old.“ Or, „I‘m too embar-rassed to wear one.“ The plain truth is, a hearing loss is more noticeable then a hearing aid! Hearing is a wonderful thing. There are those who haven‘t quite come clean or admitted yet what price they are paying for their hearing loss.

Interview with Dr. David DeKriek

What type of doctor would you recommend to patients?

They most certainly should go to an audiologist. The more education someone has about hearing, or any-thing for that matter, the better they will be able to assess the problem.

An audiologists is also required

to learn other things that affect com-munication; things related to anato-my and physiology.

Audiologists receive education on Pharmacological aspects and how drugs might interact with hearing. They are educated on psychology and how hearing loss affects our interaction with family and how we interact with the world. Audiologists are much better prepared to deal with people and their hearing loss; not just a hearing loss independent of that whole person.

Some audiologists have even greater expertise in some areas. Board certifi ed audiologist receive higher education and other more specifi c requirements. This type of certifi cation assures patients that au-diologists have the most up-to-date education and will be able to provide that current knowledge and current expertise when evaluating hearing loss.

These doctors are required to stay current. Many offi ces don’t have even an audiologist much less a board certifi ed doctor of audiology.

What should a patient look for while in a doctor’s o� ce?

When I perform a hearing test I first start with an otoscopic exami-nation of the ear. I look at the outer ear and then examine the inner ear canal. I have a screen that the patient can look at during the entire exami-nation called a video-otoscope so they can see exactly what I see.

I explain to the patient what we are seeing and if I see any kind of a problem I can point it out. If every-thing looks great and healthy then I point that out and I say, “See every-thing looks just the way we want it to.”

After the otoscopic exam, I as-sess the movement of the eardrum to make sure there is no restriction or fluid. These symptoms can be treated and might resolve the hearing loss.

After these exams I will use a more traditional hearing test us-ing tones and beeps. I have a sound proof booth and utilize “insert earphones” so that patients are not affected by any kind of external noise. My equipment is calibrated and I use air conduction headphones so my patients can be tested in a normal hearing environment. I also use a bone vibrator which helps me assess the nerve independent of the ear drum.

What are personal listening situations?

When a patient does decide ok I’ve got the right professional, I have done the tests, the explanations were very clear; how do personal listening situations apply to the selection of a hearing aid with your patients?

I always ask my patients, where do you have the greatest difficulty? Exactly why did you come in today?

If they tell me the greatest dif-ficulty they have is at work or on the phone, then I want to make sure my solution is that I provide adequate improvement for those problems.

If their difficulty is mostly hear-ing their spouse then I make sure I provide a hearing aid to help with that and I will also ask them to bring in their spouse for conversation.

In my view, a hearing aid should be flexible enough for the patient’s lifestyle.

If a patient is exposed to a very diverse acoustic environment; -ex-posed to a very quiet environment at home and then a very noisy environ-ment at work- then we want a hear-

ing aid that will allow them to make changes and have different programs set up for those different environments.

If I have a patient who wants ease of use and conve-nience, I want to know that so I tailor my recommenda-tion to what is going to be easiest for them and provide them with the best satisfac-tion aside from the acoustic qualities.

“I made an appointment after my husband no-ticed I was not hearing

the heart monitor on our exer-cise equipment beep. I thought it didn’t work but he could hear it just fine.

I had my hear-ing tested. I found that I had nerve damage in both ears.It was devastating for me. I felt I was way too young for this and it just hit me hard.

I went to see Dr. DeKriek for a second opinion. He tested me and found the same diagnosis, but he made things simple and clear and was very, very patient with me.

Dr DeKriek was such a great listener and was so sensitive to

me, helping me feel comfort-able with the hearing loss I have. He showed me what my hearing really could be like, and helped me create a whole new

hearing transfor-mation.

The day I was fit with my new hearing aids, it was amazing. The sound was crisp. I couldn’t believe how many sounds

I had been miss-ing! It seems to get better every

time I come in and he adjusts them. I can’t imagine going back to my old way of hearing. I feel like a new person. I would recommend them to everybody who has a hearing problem.

I’m very, very happy! He will forever be my doctor.

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

Anna Velez

”

Interview with Dr. David DeKriek

“The difference between my new hear-ing aids and my old ones are like night

and day”. - Dick Dadourian

“My new hearing aids are much better than my old ones. I really

like them”. - Clara Rose Lipe



amount of amplifi cation a hearing aid can provide. In addition, if the inner ear is too damaged, even large vibrations will not be converted into neural signals. In this situation, a hearing aid would be ineffective.

Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics used. The two main types of electronics are analog and digital.

Analog aids convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are amplifi ed. Analog/adjustable hearing aids are custom built to meet the needs of each

user. The aid is programmed by the manufacturer according to the specifi cations recommended by your audiologist. Analog/programmable hearing aids have more than one program or setting. An audiologist can program the aid using a

computer, and the user can change the program for different listening environments—from a small, quiet room to a crowded restaurant to large, open areas, such as a theater or stadium. Analog/programmable circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids. Analog aids usually are less expensive than digital aids.

Digital aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code of a computer, before amplifying them. Because the code also includes information about a sound’s pitch or loudness, the aid can be specially programmed to amplify some frequencies more than others. Digital circuitry gives an audiologist more fl exibility in adjusting the aid to a user’s needs and to certain listening environments. These aids also can be programmed to focus on sounds coming from a specifi c direction. Digital circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids.

The whole research process can become rather frustrating. I do understand that you need to have the right information before making a decision, just try to make sure you are getting it from a highly trained professional, not a website that is trying to sell you hearing aids.

Hearing aids are essentially all the same, so the key is fi nding a highly trained, experienced hearing aid professional that is right for you.

A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. It makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations.

All hearing aids have three basic parts: a microphone, amplifi er, and speaker. The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifi er. The amplifi er increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker.

Hearing aids are primarily useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people who have hearing loss that results from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, called hair cells. This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. The damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines.

A hearing aid magnifi es sound vibrations entering the ear. Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. The greater the damage to a person’s hair cells, the more severe the hearing loss, and the greater the hearing aid amplifi cation needed to make up the difference.

There are practical limits to the

All hearing aids are the same

Five thingsContinued from page 1

2

Choosinga hearing aid professional

When you do compare hearing aids, the fi rst question is NOT whether you want to get analog or digital hearing aids. Or what brand or style you are going to get or any other question about hearing aids themselves.

Hearing aids are essentially all the same, so the key is fi nding a highly trained, experienced hearing aid professional that is right for you.

First, check the credentials of the person. Are they an Audiologist? They most certainly should be. Audiologist’s have a Doctorate or other advanced degree and are highly trained to evaluate the entire auditory system and perform diagnostic assessments to rule out any medical issues that can have serious consequences.

A master’s level audiologist has a six-year degree and you will most commonly see M.S or M.A behind their name. A Doctor of Audiology is a eight-year degree and they will have Au.D. behind their name. Another credential that you should look for is a Board Certifi cation in Audiology.

You are embarking on an adventure toward better hearing. You need to select the professional you are going to place your trust, your money, your time and frankly your hopes with carefully. This might be something you have not given much thought, but it may very well be the most important decision you make.

You are going to be spending time with this person for years to come. It is important that it is someone you feel very comfortable around and someone with whom you can communicate effectively. You will need to trust this professional to be able to open up and discuss the diffi culties you have been experiencing with your hearing loss and the communication diffi culties it has created for you. Being open and frank about the impact your hearing loss has on your spouse, your family and friends, as well as your performance at work, is critical to your success.

The person you select should have

the educational background and the practical experience you need, but they also need to be a good communicator and a great listener, capable of translating your experience into a technical solution to

resolve any issues that might come up in the programming and trouble- shooting of any problems you encounter. They need to be patient and committed to helping you hear as well as you possibly can. The last thing you want is a professional who is delighted to sell you hearing aids and then avoids you if you need adjustments or coaching.

Do you trust them? Would you feel comfortable referring your friends to this person? If you can answer yes to these questions you are on the right track

Do a bit of research on the professionals around you:

• Ask for a referral from friends you know who have been successful with hearing aids. Did they respect

and trust the person they worked with?

• Ask your Primary Care physician which hearing professional they refer patients to for hearing loss and hearing aids. Remember, this person refl ects either a positive light or a negative light on the physicians themselves; normally they select other professionals very carefully.

• Make certain they hold a valid audiology license, are in good standing, and have no dubious complaints against them. Every state has a licensing board for Audiologists. Check your state’s web site for information.

If they have a business website spend some time looking around. Are they professional? Does what they say about themselves and their company fi t with what you are looking for? Do they give you a clear reason why you should select them? What sets them apart from the other professionals in the area? Is their website an information resource? (This will tell you if they believe in patient education).

professional3

1. Check the credentials. Are they an Audiologist?

2. Master’s level audiologist has a six-year degree, M.S

or M.A behind their name. A Doctor of Audiology has an

eight-year degree with Au.D. behind their name.

3. One other credential that you should look for

is a Board Certifi cation in Audiology.

“You can‘t even see my hearing aids.” Jim Richardson

“I‘m hearing better with my new BTE hearing aids”.



Purchasing hearing aids

It is important that you recei-ve a written recommendation and it should include the information below at a minimum:•The manufacturer of the hearing aid •The specifi c model of the hearing aid•The price of the instruments and any additional services•How long is the manufacturer repair and loss and damage warranties•What their satisfaction guarantee is, including any requirements you must comply with, to return or exchange the hearing aids•If you exercise your legal right to re-turn the hearing aids will any fees be withheld.

Should you decide to purchase hearing aids and feel comfortable with the professional and their offi ce, you should ask some additional ques-tions.

Have the audiologist tell you about their follow up policy. You should have your fi rst follow up visit within one week of your initial hea-ring aid fi tting and several additional visits during the adaptation period. Depending on your hearing loss, this adaptation period could be up to six months in duration.

These visits should include de-tailed discussion of your experiences, the positive things you have experi-enced as well as any areas of diffi cul-ty. You should never feel like you are bothering your audiologist and that your comments and questions are tri-vial. They are there to make certain you are hearing as well as possible and you are receiving the maximum benefi t from your hearing aids.

Success is contingent on a good exam

Good experiences with hearing aids are contingent on good data. A complete evaluation is critical in hearing aid selection as well as the accurate programming of the instru-ments. Very few insurance com-panies pay for the evaluation and Medicare will only cover the exam if referred by a physician and is not for the purpose of fi tting hearing aids. You need to get a complete exam and you should be prepared to pay for it. Expect to pay around $100 depending on your location.

You will see “Free Hearing Screening” offers in advertising. This test is a “bare bones” check to see if you have a hearing loss and are a candidate to proceed to a discussion of amplifi cation. They do not provide enough information about your auditory system for a successful outcome with hearing aids. “Free” tests are never free. You will either pay for them as an ad-ditional component of the total price of the hearing aid or pay the price of a high-pressure sales approach after the test.

A complete Audiological evalu-ation should include the following components:Otoscopic Evaluation

A thorough examination of your ear canals will identify any block-age by debris or cerumen (earwax). If a signifi cant amount of earwax is present, your ears need to be cleared of wax prior to completing the hearing testing. Some audiologists provide cerumen removal and others may refer you to your Primary Care physician. A visual inspection of the eardrum will also reveal any abnor-malities, scaring or infections.Middle Ear Evaluation

Most commonly referred to as a Tympanogram. This evaluation looks at the mobility of the eardrum and the middle ear bones as well as air pressure inside the middle ear. This gives the audiologist informa-tion on the integrity of the eardrum and if any perforations in the ear

drum are present. Acoustic refl exes are also measured with this test and give impor-tant neurological information about the hearing system.Otoacoustic Emission

Otoacoustic emission testing measures an “echo” refl ected back as a sound is introduced into the ear canal. This gives the audiolo-gist valuable information about the anatomy of the ear that is essential for suppression of background noise.Audiological Evaluation

This portion of the evaluation is what most people think of as a “hearing test”. It is administered in a sound treated room through either insert or traditional earphones. Eight or nine separate frequencies are evaluated to identify the amount of volume required for the tone to be barely heard. This is referred to as your hearing threshold. This method of sound presentation is air conduction testing. It evaluates the entire hearing pathway from the ear canal to the auditory cortex in the brain. The frequency testing should be repeated with a second method of sound presentation. This time an os-

cillator is placed on the skull behind the ear, bypassing the middle ear and stimulating the cochlea directly.Speech Testing

There is a big difference in hear-ing speech and being able to under-stand speech. A critical part of any evaluation is a measure of the accu-racy in understanding a spoken word list. This test is administered in a

A fi beroptic camera inspects the general health of the external auditory canal for cerumen (ear wax) and any conditions that require attention. Tympano-metry and Bone Conduction determine Middle Ear function.

A hearing test will determine how the auditory system is working.Speech discrimination tests are run to determine the potential benefi t and under-standing you should expect.

and stimulating the regions in the Cochlea where those hair cells need extra help. Verification that actually lets us see on screen your new range of amplified speech that is now reaching your Ear Drum

Software technology that evaluates and enables real life real time evaluation along with interaction with patient and all who are present.

Breakthrough Interactive Fitting Technology For You and Our Specialists

LIVE SPEECH MAPPING

Speech discrimination tests are run to determine the benefit understanding you would immediately receive.

Often understanding improvements far exceed the day of testing once the ear is practicing hearing again on a daily hearing therapy routine. It’s like receiving physical therapy for the ears.

Testing for hearing sensitivity Fidelity Hearing Aid Center (562) 275-3599

A Middle Ear check-up is performed using Tym-panometry and/or Bone Conduction to determine Middle Ear function, as well as a battery of other tests consisting of Fidelity Hearing’s 36 point Audiological hearing test you can trust.

Clear view of the Tympanic Membrane or Ear Drum

Fiber optic camera inspects the general health of the external auditory canal for cerumen ear wax and any obstruction which may be part of the problem.

Video Otoscopy Inspection

A hearing test will determine how much more boosted or amplified sound energy at specific frequencies it will take to once again return normal human speech understanding, as well as other important and critical everyday sounds.

Custom Tuning Bonus: Instruments programmed for your most often used lifestyle settings.

Sharing and experiencing all that Science has to offer

Hearing Aids by Phonak and other brands offer convenient remote control options.

Custom Key Chain You will never lose your remote private watch remote

Easy to handle handy pocket or purse remote

Video Otoscope

"quiet" situation with each ear evalu-ated separately and then again with both ears working together. Because we live every day in background noise, and it causes such a disruption of our ability to understand speech, it is very important that a speech test in the presence of background noise be included in the evaluation. One test in particular that is commonly used is the QuickSin. It is invaluable in guiding the hearing aid selection process and the advisability of direc-tional mics and sophisticated noise processing.

Before, during and after the test-ing expect the audiologist to ask questions- lots of ques-tions. Each person has a unique hearing history, medical conditions, experi-ence with past amplifi ca-tion, expectations, social and work environment needs as well as budget. Any pro-fessional who does not ask enough questions to understand completely your unique situation and need is treating you like a “hearing loss” and will then recommend a hearing aid for the “hearing loss” not for YOU.

Once they have a complete un-derstanding they are then able to link up your history, experiences, symp-toms and needs and convert that into selecting the most appropriate instru-ment for you.

Watch out for high-pressure tac-tics and sales gimmicks. A true pro-fessional will allow you to make this decision on your own time frame. Feel free to continue to ask questions about the process or the hearing aids until you are comfortable and ready to move forward with the purchase. If you need to take time to discuss it with family, you should do that.

One of the best things that can happen during your appointment is to experience what amplifi cation is like and what you might expect to hear with hearing aids. Some audi-ologists will do this automatically before explaining the test results; others may schedule a follow up visit for the hearing aid demonstra-tion or even allow you to “test drive” the hearing aid.

A complete explanation of your hearing and test results is an impor-tant part of the test and your evalu-

4

5

ation. It is not complete until you understand the results, recommenda-tions, and all of your questions have been answered.

“My new hearing aids are very comfortable, sometimes I forget I‘m

wearing them.” - Thomas Mauss

“You‘ve done a great job.”Rex Wise



In general terms, there are two types of hearing loss, conductive and sensorineural. A combination of both is also seen as a mixed hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is caused by any condition or disease that blocks or impedes the conveyance of sound through the outer or middle ear. The result is a reduction in the sound intensity (loudness) that reaches the cochlea. Generally, the cause of conductive hearing loss can be treated with a complete or partial improvement in hearing. Sensorineural hearing loss Sensorineural hearing loss results from inner ear or auditory nerve dysfunction. Often, the cause cannot be determined. It is typically irreversible and permanent. It, too, reduces the intensity of sound, but it might also result in a lack of clarity even when sounds, particularly speech, are loud enough. The treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is amplification through hearing aids.

Mixed hearing loss A mixed hearing loss is a combination of a conductive and a sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing aids can be beneficial for persons with a mixed hearing loss, but caution should be exercised.

Causes of hearing loss

The main causes of hearing loss are as follows: •Aging (presbycusis) •Excessive noise (i.e. construction, rock music, gun shot, etc.) •Sudden onset infections (otitis media) •Injury to the head or ear •Birth defects or genetics (i.e. otosclerosis) •Ototoxic reaction to drugs or cancer treatment (i.e. antibiotics, chemotherapy, radiation)

Tinnitus, or Head Noises

Tinnitus – often simply referred to as ringing-in-the-ears or head noises is a sound heard by one or both ears that is described by different people in various ways. To some it is a high-pitched ringing, whining, or hissing sound, like listen-ing to a conch shell. To others it may be a low roaring noise. Tinnitus can be very mild, no-ticeable only in a quiet room, or it can become so loud and an-noying the victim hears nothing else. It can be persistent, inter-mittent, or throbbing, depend-ing on the cause. Some 50 mil-lion adults suffer from Tinnitus. For 12 million, the problem is so severe they are incapaci-tated. While Tinnitus does not cause hearing disorders, it may accompany decreased hearing and other ear symptoms such as pressure, unsteadiness, or dizzi-ness. Often, it occurs alone. Some of the main causes are: • Wax buildup or obstructions in the outer ear canal perfora-tion in the eardrum or fluid accumulation behind • Otosclerosis - the stirrup bone (stapes) becomes fixed

• Otitis media (ear infec-tions)• exposure to a sudden loud noise or repeated exposure to noise without adequate protection • trauma to the head or neck as in a concussion or whip-lash injury • some medications induce head noises • high or low blood pressure or anemia Treatment of Tinnitus Correcting treatable causes of Tinnitus (i.e. ear wax build-up, allergy, infection, syphilis) often will improve the condi-tion.

However, when the cause is unknown, or when head noises arise from within the cochlea, auditory nerve, or brain, treat-ment becomes more difficult. Most medications and surgical procedures have not been suc-cessful in relieving Tinnitus.

Because of the direct as-sociation between the hearing mechanism and the nervous system, Tinnitus sufferers have been advised to avoid nervous tension, fatigue, and stimulants. Sedatives, biofeed back, and other relaxation techniques may offer some people tem-porary relief. The only other approach that so far has achieved any success has been Tinnitus Maskers to mask the ringing sound with other sounds as a means of distracting the individual‘s

“As a musician in an orches-tra, hearing the directions from the conductor was a

problem. Now, it’s a lot better since I’ve had my hearing aids.

The biggest problem I disco-vered was in a crowded restaurant where everyone is talking. I used to just sit and eat. The first time I

came home with my new hearing aids, the sound didn’t seem quite right, so I went back to Dr. De-Kriek. He fine-tuned and adjusted them,

and now and it’s much better. When I play my instrument by myself, no problem. Even the quality is so much better. I’m able to control the dynamics and play with more sensitivity, power, and passion in my music. Now it’s easier to follow, hear, and be in sync with the conductor, and to get through the entire piece easily. Through this experience my association with Dr. DeKriek has been very helpful. Both my mother and father had hearing problems when they were in their eighties. It hit me a few years ago. and I had problems in situations struggling hearing people, even when I was talking one on one. Now the hearing aids are fitting well and are tuned so clearly. Now I can function again normally and hear with confidence. I’m so glad I came in!

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

”

John Feeney

Types of Hearing Loss

been advised to avoid nervous tension, fatigue, and stimulants. Sedatives, biofeed back, and other relaxation techniques may offer some people tem-porary relief. The only other approach that so far has achieved any success has been Tinnitus Maskers to mask the ringing sound

concentration on Tinnitus. Other worthwhile treatments to ex-plore are cognitive therapy and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). Conclusion Because Tinnitus may be symptomatic of a more serious disorder, it is important to try and find the cause before treating the head noises by any of these means. If you or someone you know suf-fers from Tinnitus, I urge you to contact an ear doctor (otologist or otolaryn-gologist) or audiolo-gist as soon as possible.

Wearing new E-3 hearing aids. Ray Munoz

“I loved my fi rst hearing aid so much, I bought the other.” - Packard Polin



ignored, the more deterioration there will be. A person thinks they may be able to get away with turning the TV louder or ask to repeat and talk louder, but they are usually disappointed when they still cannot under-stand.

If help is sought early enough, studies show that the right hearing devices, if worn regularly, can actually slow down the deterioration of the auditory system.

The longer you wait, the more your brain will forget.

As Helen Keller once said: “Deafness is a worse misfortune than blindness, for it means the loss of the most vital stimulus – the sound of voice that brings language, sets thoughts astir, and keeps us in the intellectual company of man. Without my eye sight I am inconvenienced, without my hearing I am iso-lated and lonely.”

Thanks to today’s advance-ments and caring professionals you don’t have to remain alone. At Fidelity Hearing Center, we have the expertise and patience to help you hear better again.

“Spontaneous inter-change is important to our everyday

lives.” For some with fading hearing abilities, it seems impor-tant to continue to maintain an illusion of proper hearing in any given situation. When social en-vironments present themselves, the hearing impaired individual will often laugh whole-heartedly at the unheard punch line, or vigorously applaud for no other reason than everyone else is do-ing so.

Over 90% of those with hear-ing loss are in denial. The invis-ibility of hearing loss makes it almost transparent to the suf-ferer. As the problem worsens, it remains easy to deny that they have a hearing problem. Some are actually convincing them-selves that it’s still too early for help.

As the hearing loss progress-es, the hearing impaired become more psycho-socially inhibited, keeping them from seeking hearing assistance that is avail-able to them.

The continual denial and refusal for help or to accept their problem causes them to live in a distorted perspective and in a constant defensive strategy to hide their loss for fear of being discovered. In many instances, they have to bluff their way through even the most trivial and mundane social situations. This is the social equivalent to

fi ght or fl ight which is a subconscious avoidance of any potential commu-nicative situation such as church, family gatherings, noisy restaurants and clubs.

Perhaps the situation calls for a visit with a hand-ful of friends and family in a living room where the lights are low, the television is blaring, and some are sitting at a distance. That situation can be tough with normal hearing, but with hearing

loss it’s almost impossible. Instead of relaxing and en-

joying the moment, a person is in the throes of almost insur-mountable commu-nication obstacles. More pressure, more tension, anxiety, and energy is spent trying to catch the conversation. No wonder people get frustrated and exhausted. No wonder they fall asleep in church. If you can’t hear it why bother to listen? Drawn inward from the loss, people can be-come negatively self-centered. Interactions become forced, be-labored, repetitious, and worse - responses become inappropriate and embarrassing.

With those kinds of humiliat-ing mistakes the person feels embarrassed, and the fear of re-peating such an incident reduces interaction.

This can be a strain on the spouse. There is a loss of close-ness and intimacy for both of them. What is happening? The spouse is smothered by depen-dency, and then blamed for not speaking clearly, or not under-standing, or expecting too much. The spouse is supposed to be the ears now. That certainly is a lot of pressure to put on anyone, and usually does not work out too well.

Perhaps they get away to take a trip, just them alone. He fi nds that he cannot hear in the car because of the road noise or the distance between them. Then there’s her quiet, high-pitched voice, not to mention she may be sitting on his bad side.

This results in wanting his

wife to repeat herself and speak up over and over again, it even-tually becomes a tug of war battle of who’s right and who’s wrong. They are each drawn inward and resign themselves to going it alone into their quiet world, feeling sorry for them-selves, unloved, depressed, and eventually forgotten.

If a man has a chance to help his hearing and delays it, he tends to do so for an average of seven years. He will not be back until he is fi nally convinced that he is not just a cantankerous, opinionated or socially dimin-ished individual but has a legiti-mate hearing problem that really

needs help. Little by little, day-by-day, it grows worse. Be-fore long, only half the words are clear and many he can bar-ley make out at all.

Most people think hearing loss is simply words and sounds becoming fainter, turn up the sound or talk louder will enable the person to hear better. Not so. Distortion- how clear the words are-is also major part of hearing loss.

Even if the words are loud enough, the inner ear interprets them as distorted. This gradually grows worse and worse with time. It can become permanent, ruining the ability to understand words and even limiting how much help can be obtained after correction.

The longer hearing loss is

The psychological and social strains of hearing loss

needs help. Little by

only half the words are clear

in the throes of almost insur- mate hearing problem that really needs help. Little by

“I was very hesitant to go to a hearing doctor, my kids finally convinced

me to go. They would get frus-trated with me at family parties because I could not hear very

well and I would have to have my wife next to me to help. So I started looking around and through another friend, found Dr. DeKriek. I was very im-pressed with his office and ex-pertise.

He fitted me with an aid that day and it has progressively got better so now I can hold a conversation with people. Dr. DeKriek was great, he asked all the right questions, did an ex-tensive examination that led to my new aid.

I would recommend Fidelity Hearing Center and Dr. DeKriek to anyone.

Luis SalazarPATIENT TESTIMONIAL

”

Your hearing aids are a blessing to our marriage”- Everett and Mary Jo Baker “Thanks Doc, I appreciate

your help.” - Duffy Baker

“I can’t believe how much I was missing.” - Kay Kimura



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www.starkey.com *Sarampalis, A., Kalluri, S., Edwards, B., Hafter, E. (2009, October) Objective measures of listening effort: Effects of background noise and noise reduction. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 52, 1230 1240.

S Series iQ Family of Products

Voice iQ

The first custom, completely Automatic Telephone invisible, digital and fully Response

programmable hearing aid.

100% invisible

Deep canal aid with Comfort Fit

Designed to be removed daily to promote better ear health

Virtually no whistling or buzzing

Natural sounding

Custom designed for your ear

Works great on the phone

The world’s besT Technology

in a 100% invisible hearing aid.

Technology Benefit

Invisible-In-The-Canal

PureWave Feedback Eliminator

T2 Remote Control

If you’ve been interested in other extended wear products but have found you weren’t a candidate, talk to your hearing professional about OtoLens, the latest in invisible hearing aids.

www.starkey.com *Sarampalis, A., Kalluri, S., Edwards, B., Hafter, E. (2009, October) Objective measures of listening effort: Effects of background noise and noise reduction. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 52, 1230 1240.

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