With Every New Era comes change...

No Batteries to Change No Daily Insertion/Removal Required Even Showerproof Clear, Natural Sound Quality
INTRODUCE YOUR EARS TO THE FIRST AND ONLY INVISIBLE, EFFORTLESS, 24/7 HEARING AID.

Written by Debra Swift

Founder President of Swift Audiology

& HEARING AID SERVICE

We may like some of the changes that have occurred and we may really dislike others, but one thing is certain; there will always be constant change in Technology. It doesnt mean that we understand them, but we somehow learn to utilize new electronic gadgets like cell phones, computers, I-Pods etc....This era is certainly about information and communication! No more unanswered questions, right? We just google it! Have you ever googled Hearing Aids? Holy Cow ! As someone who has devoted 25 years to becoming an expert on the subject and building a Practice to be proud of (by any standards) I can tell you that it will boggle your mind and leave you frustrated in your search for Better Hearing! Our Patients tell us every day that they were referred to our Practice by their Dr., their insurance company, a friend or family member, or because we have been in their community, in the newspapers and their mailboxes for so long, with a trusted reputation and they always knew when they were ready to get help with their hearing needs, they would come to us. Q: Why are hearing aids different than other electronics that you can purchase on the internet or out of a magazine? Why are the prices for hearing aids all over the place, from a few hundred to thousands? Why is the Professional that fits the hearing aid so important, vs. I will just get one over the counter and do it myself? Why do I need to have my ears inspected otoscopically and my hearing Professionally tested before I get a hearing aid? Whats the difference between all of these models (sizes) and manufacturers (brands)? These are the questions that will boggle your mind when researching where to find the right hearing instruments with the most benefit at the lowest price. Isnt that what we all want when shopping for anything? The best bang for our buck?! What do we generally do when we dont know what to do, or where to go? WE DO NOTHING! Frozen with frustration and the fear of losing our money! We hear it every day! People that have needed help for years, but for all of the reasons listed above, they held back. (It used to be simple vanity, but microelectronics make hearing aids virtually unnoticeable) The Answers: Hearing is a brain function. The ears are the pathway and that pathway becomes damaged due to noise, aging, illnesses, ototoxic medications, or even hereditary factors. Almost 95% of hearing loss is sensorineural (nerve loss) and hearing aids are needed to make up for the damaged hair cells (nerve). Hearing aids get the missing information to the brain, so that the brain can cognitively process speech and the sounds of the world that keep us acclimated and in communication with people! This is called Aural Rehabilitation and it is a process that takes time. Studies posted in the Archives of Neurology have linked hearing loss to Alzheimers/ Dementia. For every 10% of hearing loss that goes untreated over a prolonged period of time, the risk for developing Alzheimers is increased by 20%. We have certainly seen the relationship between hearing loss and Dementia for years in our Practice. How can we remember what we don t hear or understand clearly? The brain slows cognitively and it takes extra effort to understand conversations, which is not only tiring but frustrating, embarrassing and impacts the persons self confidence and well being, according to a National Council on Aging study. This study has shown that untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation and depression as well. Wearing Hearing Aids daily reverses these affects thru aural rehabilitation. So with this new era is enlightenment, as to the importance of our hearing as it relates to the quality of our life. It is no longer a pride issue, or just a convenience. The average age of the hearing aid wearer is now headed toward 55-65 (it used to be 80). This is in large part due to the baby boomers with hearing loss and the fact that we have been made more aware of the impact of hearing loss in our careers, family and social life (partially from observing this negative impact in our Grandparents and Parents lives). Why do we see ads everywhere about hearing aids? Because the need (market) is about to double to almost 60 million and baby boomers want to remain active, youthful and sharp! Everyone wants a piece of the action! Hearing aids, back when I started my Practice, were dirty words, a necessary evil! Today they function digitally, providing greater benefit and are cosmetically discreet or even invisible.

The Lyric Hearing instruments are now extended wear, inserted by Certified Professionals and programmed to correct your hearing loss. They are worn 24/7 to sleep and even shower. They are replaced in our office every 3-4 months. Totally invisible. Very natural and clear sound quality. Updated with every new improvement in technology as you go, included in the original price. So we now have Extended wear as well as Daily wear (the hearing aids we remove daily) Hearing aids are micro electronics (computers) with a number of channels, that work like graphic equalizers. The manufacturers have broken down the technology levels according to the number of channels, the advancements providing clarity of speech in noise and the amount of automatic noise reduction for background noise (noise that is uncomfortable and interferes with our conversations). The more the Professional can customize the function of the hearing instruments on the software for the Patients hearing and lifestyle, the more advanced the technology level, the more automatic in noise and the greater the understanding of speech in noise. (Which is where most of the difficulty occurs) THUS; The difference in price. If you are finding a low price, you have a lower level of technology that will not have as much benefit for clarity and comfort in noise, or when out socially. Some do fine with introductory hearing aids if their lifestyle is home bound and they have a mild to moderate hearing loss. Watch for the bait and switch ads though, that get you in the door and then tell you what you really need! Compare Apples to Apples, not to oranges! Another difference in pricing between providers, is if the hearing aids are bundled with all of the lifetime cleanings, services, maintenance, replacement of all the tubings, receivers, microphone covers, volume controls, battery doors, reprogramming with retesting of your hearing annually and as your brains acclimation levels change. Is verification testing to show the benefit of the hearing aids provided? Are there referrals to Otolaryngologist when there is medical necessity or red flags? Free Batteries and extended warranties with the option to renew both when warranties expire? These services and batteries are worth much more than the cost that is built in, vs. buying UN-BUNDLED or paying la carte as you go. A per visit, or per service basis, will cost more if the Patient actually does what is required for continued hearing benefit with the aids. That is actually why so many end up in the drawer after a period of time. A good provider will set you up on a program to cover all of these things on an on-going basis. Then you have value/benefit for the cost! Is it better to buy a Hearing Aid for $1,000 that ends up in a drawer, with no service, or to pay a little more with bundled services, batteries, warranties that provides everything you need for the life of the aids to hear well? If a Patient needs that price range, Swift has aids that include bundled services with them. We explain the differences and you make an educated choice! We offer many options and you are never stuck with your choice if it isnt satisfactory. Think about how much moisture from perspiration, wax and dead skin end up in this electronic device when worn daily. If aids arent dried and vacuumed out, how will they perform well? Humans are about 80% moisture. The ear produces cerumen (wax) in an oily form as natures cleansing system. So if maintenance is not provided, the benefit will diminish over time. The average life on daily wear hearing aids should be a minimum of three to five years for customized (molded) products, but well over that if they are behind the ear, or receiver in the canal/ over the ear styles. Durability and performance depend on how dry and how clean we keep the aids. Again, it doesnt matter how long they last if you dont continue to hear well, so this requires hearing tests and reprogramming to update annually (unless the hearing changes dramatically due to health issues, treatments, or trauma). Swift Audiology is proud to help its Patients continue to hear well for the past 25 years! We remove the fear and risk by offering Free Trials, 45 day returns and 90 days to trade to another type or technology if not satisfied. Experience does matter when choosing a Professional. ALOT! Choose a local Practice that you can trust, to help you find hearing aids that are most functional and beneficial for your life-style. Swift Audiology! Call 724.942.4700 or 724.222.9010 for a no cost, no obligation Hearing screening and Demo today!

January 30 - Feburary 3rd in our Peters Office

Debra Swift, B.C.-H.I.S. Original Founder/President 25 Years in Practice Leslie Dunst MS.-CCCA Senior Audiologist Dr. Leslie Myers Au.D., Dr. of Audiology

Washington
2107 N. Franklin Dr. Washington Eye Center

Peters Township
3035 Washington Rd. (Dr. Feuer/Happel Laser Bldg.)

724-222-9010
North Hills

724-942-4700

Swift Audiology is proud to offer you the opportunity to try LYRIC HEARING, invisible extended wear. FREE 30 Day, NO RISK TRIAL. Call for your pre-screening appointment to see if youre a candidate.
(As seen on CNN, The Doctors, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, etc.)

5900 Corporate Dr., Ste 260 Pittsburgh Office & Research Park
Renamed: McCandless Corporate Center

412-364-8338 TOLL FREE: 1-800-331-3722 (EARS)

Contact us at 724.942.4700 724-222-9010

Lyric Clinic is at our Peters Twp. office. Pre-screenings may be done in the Washington office

Renew your relationships and life, through Better Hearing!

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