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Hearing Aid Services

Hearing loss can result from many factors. The aging process, excessive noise, medications, a growth in the ear, toxins and heredity all are common causes. If you are among the 10 percent of Americans who suffer from hearing loss, Loyola can offer hope. Recent advances in technology mean that more options are available to help people with hearing loss hear better than they ever thought possible.

You have a wide variety of hearing devices from which to choose, depending on your hearing loss. Many of today's styles are more cosmetically appealing than in years past, and they do not look like traditional hearing devices. Most of today's hearing devices are 100 percent digital signal processing; the circuitry inside of the device uses a digital format to process sound. Both custom and non-custom hearing aids are available.

• In-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal aids are custom devices that are contained in a tiny case that fits partly or completely into your ear canal. They are the smallest aids available and offer cosmetic and some listening advantages.
• In-the-ear-aids are custom devices that are contained in a shell that fills in the outer part of your ear. These aids are larger than canal aids and, for some, may be easier to manipulate.
• Behind-the-ear hearing devices are amplification devices that sit behind your ear. They are fit to your ear through the use of a custom-made earmold. The custom earmold typically is made of a soft or hard plastic material formed from your ear. This mold allows for sound to travel down from the unit behind the ear to your ear canal. This style often is chosen for young children for safety and growth reasons.
• Open-fit behind-the-ear hearing devices are an option if you have high tone or high pitch hearing loss. You would wear a soft, non-custom piece in your ear canal. This will keep your ear canal more open, allowing for a more natural sound quality.

We perform a comprehensive evaluation of your hearing loss and your unique communication needs. Then we give you recommendations for specific hearing aids that are appropriate for your needs along with rehabilitation strategies that help you in adapting to the new sounds that soon will be audible.

A few weeks following your evaluation, Loyola will fit you with your new hearing device. Our audiologist will program the hearing aids to your prescriptive setting, as determined by your hearing evaluation. We teach you how to care for and use your hearing aids. You also learn about auditory rehabilitation — corrections to any non-hearing changes you may have previously made in your daily living as your hearing loss increased, such as moving closer to people when talking.

Living with hearing aids takes time and adjustment. Our audiologist works with you for several weeks to evaluate the benefits of the aids. You are encouraged to use your devices in a variety of listening environments. The Loyola audiologist is available for regular adjustments in programming and continued evaluation.

Locations and Contacts
A full spectrum of audiology services is available in Maywood at:

Loyola University Hospital

Services also are offered at the following Loyola sites:

Center for Health at Hickory Hills
Oakbrook Terrace Medical Center
Primary Care Center at Wheaton

If you would like to make an appointment for a hearing evaluation, please call us at (888) LUHS-888.

Related Links
Hearing Center at Oakbrook Terrace

Medical Director
Michael Raffin, PhD, chief audiologist