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Hearing Services

Hearing Tests in Danbury and Prospect

“Eyes and Ears are important for us to communicate effectively with our loved ones. I am honored to be part of an elite group of eye physicians who understand that hearing is important for cognitive health. I aspire to educate and improve better communication through hearing clarity.”

Elaine Raccio, BC-HIS is a CT Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist and is Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences. She is located on the 1st foor, suite 101 of our Danbury Office. She also see patients in our Prospect, CT office.

Elaine has dispensed hearing aids from every major manufacturer and is known for her in-depth knowledge and expertise in advanced digital hearing instrument electronics.

“It is important to me to educate our patients about the consequences of untreated hearing loss and to reconnect them with their loved ones through clear speech understanding with the use of hearing aids along with providing superior hearing healthcare service,” says Elaine.

Helpful “How To” Videos: https://www.signia-hearing.com/how-to-videos/

Signia Hotline 800-350-6093 – for help with pairing and/or re-pairing your Hearing Devices to your phone, Streamline TV or Streamline MIC accessories.

Phonak Troubleshooting Hotline 800-679-4871

How often should you consider new hearing aids?

Hearing aids are complex devices, so it’s important to understand when it’s time to consider buying a new pair. Here are some situations to think about; where new hearing aids could improve your overall health.

Just as our eyeglass prescription changes with time, so too does our hearing. You may find that your current devices simply aren’t powerful enough to help you. Your hearing may have significantly declined. The hearing aids, just like any other electronic device, may not work as effectively as they once did, or your needs may have changed. New technology means upgraded features such as motion sensors, improved hearing in more environments, added benefits such as direct connectivity to cell phones and TVs. The new devices may solve an issue that your current hearing aids were not able to address even though they were state-of- art when you first purchased them. You might do better with stronger aids or a different style of hearing aids. Manufacturers are relentlessly working to improve hearing aid technology so you can have a better hearing experience. Your hearing should be tested annually. Hearing tests are always complimentary.

Likewise, a change in overall health can prompt the purchase of new devices. For example, arthritis might cause you to have less dexterity in your fingers. If you have in-the-ear hearing aids, the small battery door could be difficult to open with limited dexterity, so it might be a good idea to consider new behind-the-ear rechargeable devices. These new rechargeable devices have a Lithium Ion battery built in, no more changing batteries. Or, you may have a health issue such as requiring oxygen tubing around your ears, perhaps switching to a completely in-the-ear hearing aid would be better.

Most hearing aids last between three and seven years. Many people wonder why they don’t last longer, but the fact is that hearing aids experience a lot of wear and tear. Think about it: What other sophisticated electronic device do you wear all day that’s directly connected to you, working constantly? Even if you take very good care of your devices (such as frequent cleaning), continued natural exposure to moisture and ear wax has a damaging effect over time.

Also, older devices simply don’t function as efficiently as newer models and can even become obsolete. Today’s modern hearing aids are essentially tiny computers that run algorithms to constantly refine your hearing experience. Depending on the hearing aid you buy, it likely uses advanced technology to:

detect and minimize unnecessary background noise or wind noise
detect and amplify the speaker directly in front of you
be programmable via smartphone app
connect to external devices via Bluetooth

Sometimes, a lifestyle change is an excellent reason to get new hearing aids. You might realize that the technology level is no longer meeting your needs or is outdated. For example, you purchased a new cell phone and enjoy watching videos on it or listening to music, and it would be nice to be able to send that sound directly to your hearing aids. Due to COVID-19, maybe you are watching TV more and/or talking to loved ones on the phone instead of in person and need to hear better in those situations. Or, perhaps you’re getting out and hiking or golfing more and need hearing aids that can stand up to more rugged environments and are better at blocking wind noise. On the other hand, if you don’t get out as much as you used to, a more basic model may work just fine for your needs, and the basic models still include direct connectivity to certain Bluetooth enabled devices.

There is also a mask program available now which helps clarify speech when communicating with others who are wearing face masks. Those using this mask feature are raving about it and are finding it extremely helpful in our new world.

Some people are reluctant when they purchase their first set of hearing aids. Maybe you purchased basic hearing aids due to that reluctancy and now want devices with different or more advanced settings since you have a better idea about what you want and really need.

If you’re still not sure what to do, give us a call to schedule a free at-home trial of the newest devices. Experience the difference these will make in your own personal environments!

We offer discounted prices on all major hearing aid manufacture devices. And, we offer 0% Interest-Free Financing for 6, 12 or 18 months with the Wells Fargo Health Advantage Card.

Important Reasons to Stop Putting Off Hearing Health

Learn How to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Facts

A study by Johns Hopkins finds hearing loss triples the risk of falling for middle-aged adults and the elderly.

Hearing Loss Linked to Three Fold Risk of Falling

Nearly two thirds of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 and one-half of those aged 85 and older have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss left untreated can lead to serious problems. A recent study at John’s Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging finds that men and women with hearing loss are much more likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. People with severe loss were five times more likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing. Even mild hearing loss doubled the dementia risk factor. That risk, according to Dr. Lin who coauthored the study, appeared to increase once hearing loss began to interfere with the ability to communicate, for example, in a noisy restaurant.

Hearing Loss and Dementia Linked in Study

People With Diabetes Are Much More Likely to Have Hearing Loss

Pyschological Problems Associated With Hearing Loss:

Stress, anxiety
Distrust, paranoia
Insecurity
Lowered self-esteem
Denial and disbelief
Defensiveness

Anger, frustration
Social withdrawal, isolation
Social inappropriate behavior or responses
Lethargy, resignation, passivity
Depression, cognitive dysfunction
Emotionally driven hypertension

For years, Connecticut Eye has provided comprehensive, state of the art vision and eye care services to the community. Our commitment to quality patient care has led us to expand our services to another important sense in your life-hearing.

Vision and hearing are our two most important senses and they function inseparably together. Unfortunately, they both tend to fail at the same stage in life. We now routinely evaluate both. Our licensed Doctor of Audiology provides comprehensive diagnostic hearing testing and has the ability to diagnose and treat 90% of all hearing loss cases.

Having both your vision and hearing cared for by the practice you already know and trust is clearly the right choice.

Connecticut Eye Hearing Services include:

Diagnostic testing
Hearing aid evaluations and fittings
State of the art digital hearing aids
Competitively priced hearing aids with financing available through Wells Fargo. We can walk you through the application process in the office or you may apply online by clicking here.
Service on all hearing aids purchased at Connecticut Eye

Over 80% of those with hearing loss are undiagnosed and untreated. Untreated hearing loss has a profoundly negative impact on a patient’s quality of life.

Testimonials

“Elaine Raccio helped me enjoy life fully. Her expertise enabled me to finally hear all that I was missing. She always explained in detail all questions to our satisfaction. Elaine gave us choices to fit my needs. She scheduled many appointments until I felt very comfortable using my hearing aids. I have recommended her to several of my friends.”
Johanne K.
West Redding, CT

To schedule your complimentary hearing evaluation with a Hearing Specialist, please call 203-791-2020 x255 or fill out the form below: