Hearing Aids

If you have hearing loss due to damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, a hearing aid can improve your hearing and speech comprehension. At Texas Ear Clinic, led by otolaryngologist and neurotologist Ricardo Cristobal, MD, PhD, FACS, the team offers the latest and highest quality hearing aids available. Call the Fort Worth, Texas, office today or use the online tool to book a consultation to learn more.

How do hearing aids work?

Hearing aids amplify sounds from the environment. Most hearing aids are digital and powered with a special type of battery. 

The device has small microphones that collect sounds and then convert the sound into a digital code that it analyzes and delivers a sound signal based on your level of hearing loss and the level of sounds around you. The amplified sound waves return to your ears through speakers. 

Hearing aids can also provide relief from tinnitus. 

What types of hearing aids are offered?

The audiology team helps you choose the best type of hearing aid, depending on your individual case. 

Hearing aids may be placed:

• Completely in the canal (CID)
• In the canal (ITC)
• In the ear (ITE)
• Behind the ear (BTE)
• Receiver in canal (RIC/RITE)

When making recommendations, your audiologist considers your individual needs, wants, and level of hearing loss. Texas Ear Clinic offers some of the highest-quality and best-performing hearing aids available, including those made by Oticon Opn®, Phonak®, and ReSound®.

What happens at a hearing aid consultation?

Your audiologist goes over the styles of hearing aid available and makes recommendations. You can see, touch and try on different devices to evaluate the benefits of each type. 

When you come in for your evaluation, bring a family member or close friend to help you make a decision. 

Texas Ear Clinic allows you to borrow and wear hearing aids for a short time to see which works best for you. The team reviews pricing and possible insurance coverage with you. You also have options for a repair warranty, loss and damage warranty, cleanings, adjustments, programming, and other hearing aid follow-up. 

What if I’m not a candidate for hearing aids?

Certain types of hearing loss or levels of loss can’t be improved with a hearing aid. The practice offers alternative ways, including hearing implants, to improve your hearing. 

Bone-conduction hearing aids are implantable devices that use bone vibration in the skull to transfer sound to the inner ears. It’s an option for patients with chronic middle ear problems such as recurrent infections or certain problems with de eardrum.   They may also be an option for patients with deafness in one ear. 

Dr. Cristobal and his office have very extensive experience in the surgical placement and management of bone conduction hearing aids including the Osia device, BAHA Attract, BAHA Connect.

Cochlear implants are placed in the cochlea of the inner ear. They restore hearing for patients for whom traditional hearing aids don't provide enough help.  The patients undergo special hearing tests that include the measurement of speech understanding in background noise with appropriately fitted hearing aids on.  These may be your own or loaner hearing aids in the clinic.  Insurance coverage is typical for those patients that meet the audiological criteria.

Call Texas Ear Clinic today or use this website to schedule your hearing aid assessment.