Sound Knowledge

General Questions

• How do I know that an Audiologist/Hearing Aid Dispenser is an honest, reliable person to help consult with me about needing hearing aids?
  
• Why is it so difficult to hear where there is background noise?
  
• Do I need an appointment to see you?
• What causes hearing loss?
• My children tell me they think I have a hearing loss, but I don’t think so. Wouldn’t I be able to tell if I had a hearing loss?
• In the past, Audiologists have told me that I have a high-frequency hearing loss and nothing can be done for it. Is this still true today?
• Do I have to bring someone with me to my appointment?

Hearing Centers

• You are always talking about the “Woodard Difference”. Why are your hearing aids different?
• Why Woodard Hearing Aid Centers?
• What should I look for when choosing a hearing aid center?

Hearing Aids

• I just got two new hearing aids. My audiologist recommended check-ups every six months. We will be going on vacation and I will be gone the month I should get them checked. What should I do?
• I recently had my hearing tested and was told I have a significant hearing loss in both ears. She suggested I wear two hearing aids. Why wouldn’t I do just as well with one?
• I wanted a particular style of hearing aid and my audiologist advised against it because of a couple of health problems I mentioned. Since I have to wear them, why can’t I pick my own style?
• Why is there such a difference in price from one hearing aid to another?
• How do I know if I am getting the “best” hearing aids?
• Is selecting a hearing aid style strictly an issue of personal preference?
• I have heard about all these different kinds and sizes of hearing aids. What kind does Woodard sell?
• How long should hearing aids last, and what can I do to get the longest service life from my hearing aids?
• My father purchased a hearing aid a few years ago and is quite unhappy with how it works. Can anything be done to help him?
• I have noticed that some people have to constantly adjust their hearing aids. Will they ever make “automatic” hearing aids?

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General Questions

Q. How do I know that an Audiologist/Hearing Aid Dispenser is an honest, reliable person to help consult with me about needing hearing aids?

A. The Iowa Department of Public Health administers a license to practice in the state of Iowa for Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers. Such professionals are required to follow ethical procedures that have been established by the legislature. Additionally, all licensed Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers are required to have 32 hours of continuing education every two years. Some states require far less than this and some do not require any. Therefore, if you are looking to consult with a Hearing Health Care Professional in Iowa, you can rest assured that the state of Iowa is one of the best places to get this type of service.

Q. Why is it so difficult to hear where there is background noise?

A. Even persons with normal hearing can experience difficulty hearing in the presence of unwanted background noise. Speech can be best understood in noisy environments when the brain gets information from both ears. When hearing decreases, the brain has even more difficulty understanding speech clearly. We understand more clearly when speech is louder than noise. Much of the technology available today in digital hearing aids allows for enhanced amplification in hearing speech in noisy environments.

Q. Do I need an appointment to see you?

A. It is always best to schedule an appointment. While we encourage walk-ins if you have a problem with a hearing aid, making an appointment assures that you have plenty of time reserved for the Hearing Health Provider to best take care of your hearing needs. We do everything possible to stay on schedule and also accommodate patients who need to be seen on short notice. Give us a call at 800-233-HEAR to schedule a time for you.

Q. What causes hearing loss?

A. Many different things may cause hearing loss. The three most common causes of adult hearing loss are exposure to noise, natural degeneration of hearing, and heredity. We live in a noisy world and noise is the number one cause of hearing loss. Be sure to protect your hearing and of those around you. Other causes include certain medications, certain diseases and trauma.

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Q. My children tell me they think I have a hearing loss, but I don’t think so. Wouldn’t I be able to tell if I had a hearing loss?

A. Not necessarily. Because hearing loss occurs gradually, it is often difficult for a person with hearing loss to even realize they have a problem. Many times the person with the hearing loss is the last person to really notice it. Family and friends around the person with a hearing loss are usually the first ones to notice. We strongly encourage a family member or close friend to accompany someone to their hearing evaluation appointment. They often offer additional insight regarding the hearing loss and its impact to the individual and those around them.

Q. In the past, Audiologists have told me that I have a high-frequency hearing loss and nothing can be done for it. Is this still true today?

A. Not necessarily. There are hearing aids made now that will amplify only the needed area without over-amplifying the mid range. Some hearing aids have a newer technology where some sounds in high frequencies can be transpositioned into areas where there is better hearing in a lower frequency. We encourage you to come in for a free, no obligation hearing evaluation and hearing aid demonstration to determine if this technology will help you.

Q. Do I have to bring someone with me to my appointment?

A. It is so helpful to have a family member or friend who spends time with you along. Not only do we involve that person in the hearing evaluation process, we are able to gather insights from that person who sees how the hearing loss might be impacting you. Since hearing loss is typically so gradual, many times it is the people around us who notice the effects before we do.

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Hearing Centers

Q. You are always talking about the “Woodard Difference”. Why are your hearing aids different?

A. We have spent over 60 years assembling the finest team of Audiologists, Dispensers, Patient Care personnel and a custom hearing aid manufacturing team in America. All of our clinical Audiologists have either a Masters or Doctorate degree in audiology and we are the only clinic in Iowa that has a hearing aid manufacturing lab on the premises. Because we are a complete team unlike any other, this is one example of many where there is a “Woodard Difference”.

Q. Why Woodard Hearing Aid Centers?

A. Knowledge. We have nine Audiologists/Dispensers on staff. Their commitment to staying abreast of the newest advances in technology allows them to serve each patient in the best way possible. Each of the professional staff attend numerous continuing education classes each year and bring that knowledge into the hearing evaluation and consultation process with the patient.

Stability. We have been in business over 60 years serving Central Iowa. We have two offices in Des Moines and 13 remote locations throughout Central Iowa.

We care about our patients. You will find capable, caring and compassionate individuals from our front office staff right through to our dispensing staff. You will be treated as a whole person, not just a customer. We know that hearing loss impacts the person who has the loss but also all of those around them. Whether it is family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances, we are committed to making sure you hear the best you can hear. We don’t want you to miss out on the special and important moments in life because those moments happen all day every day. Call us for an appointment and see for yourself the “Woodard Difference”.

Commitment - Our commitment to quality starting with the hearing aids we dispense to the quality of on-going customer service we provide is unequaled. We offer the latest in technology. We have an extraordinary team of professionals who are passionate about the work they do and the people they serve. It is easy to see why our commitment to quality shines through.

Q. What should I look for when choosing a hearing aid center?

A. Choosing a Hearing Aid Center is no small task. Sure there are plenty of competent, talented providers out there but to have a meaningful and beneficial experience, you need one that is just right for you! Remember that when you are making your selection on who to have as your hearing health care provider, that you remember the relationship will be on-going. Be sure that you are comfortable and satisfied with the organization and the person you are buying the hearing aids from, as you will be seeing them for many more years to come. Also, be sure to ask family and friends for recommendations. Is the provider reputable? Do they care about you as a person and your hearing experience? Can they respond to your repair needs? Have they been around for a long time? Do they offer free visits and cleanings for the life of the hearing aid? Are they conveniently located to you?

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Hearing Aids

Q. I just got two new hearing aids. My audiologist recommended check-ups every six months. We will be going on vacation and I will be gone the month I should get them checked. What should I do?

A. Whether you will be gone for one month or six, you should set up an appointment to have your ears and hearing aids thoroughly checked before you leave. If you will be gone for an extended stay you should come in for a check up once you return as well.

Q. I recently had my hearing tested and was told I have a significant hearing loss in both ears. She suggested I wear two hearing aids. Why wouldn’t I do just as well with one?

A. There are several advantages to wearing two hearing aids (binaural amplification). The brain processes sounds through both ears and both sides of the brain. It would be the same as if a person considered only getting one lens for their glasses when both eyes needed prescription lenses. Having two hearing aids when you have a hearing loss in both ears allows the brain to process sound efficiently. It allows you to localize sounds and it also increases speech intelligibility, especially in noisy environments. It just doesn’t make sense to short change your quality of listening when hearing loss is present in both ears.

Q. I wanted a particular style of hearing aid and my audiologist advised against it because of a couple of health problems I mentioned. Since I have to wear them, why can’t I pick my own style?

A. The ultimate decision does belong to the consumer. However, your hearing health care professional does have your best interest at heart. They are trained to make the best recommendation for your hearing loss. They are also aware of certain medical or physical conditions that could make one style better than another for your needs. Talk to your Audiologist and learn about why one style would benefit your individual needs better than another. Understanding the reasoning behind such a decision allows you and your Audiologist to consider all of the options available as well as the pros and cons of each.

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Q. Why is there such a difference in price from one hearing aid to another?

A. The main reason for the difference in price is the level of technology. Today’s hearing aids are better than they have ever been. The higher the level of technology, the better the sound quality and the higher the cost will be. Hearing aids of today are mini computer processors which are able to be fine tuned for the difficult hearing environments. While manufacturers work hard to keep the hearing aids affordable, they are always doing research and development to maximize the hearing aid performance and to provide a better quality of hearing to each and every user.

Q. How do I know if I am getting the “best” hearing aids?

A. Selecting the “best” hearing aid starts with a comprehensive hearing evaluation. Part of that process includes gathering information on the individual’s lifestyle. At Woodard Hearing Centers, we need to know the situation(s) where you want to improve your hearing the most. Both occupational and social needs must be considered to determine the best aids for your individual needs. You will know you are getting the best hearing aids because our commitment to each patient is to help them hear the best they can with the information we have through the evaluation and situational needs using the best today’s technology has to offer. Please call us to schedule a free, no obligation evaluation.

Q. Is selecting a hearing aid style strictly an issue of personal preference?

A. No not really. The type and degree of hearing loss and the types of listening situations you will be in are just a couple of the things that need to be considered when choosing the style. With the advances in today’s hearing aid technology, so many styles are virtually invisible, have different ranges of power, can be chosen to fit your fashion styles or your mood. Be sure to visit with your Hearing Health Professional about your style preferences and given your type and degree of hearing loss, learn about what options are available.

Q. I have heard about all these different kinds and sizes of hearing aids. What kind does Woodard sell?

A. We have all the different sizes of hearing aids from the behind-the-ear styles down to the smallest hearing aids that fit completely inside the ear canal. We also carry different types of circuits from entry level to high-end technology. We will do a free comprehensive hearing evaluation first to determine what is best for your needs and discuss the options as well as the styles you had in mind.

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Q. How long should hearing aids last, and what can I do to get the longest service life from my hearing aids?

A. Typically, the average life of a hearing aid is approximately five years. Getting regular check-ups is the single most important thing you can do to assure long hearing aid life. By doing so our Audiologists and Dispensers are able to regularly monitor your hearing loss, make adjustments to the sound quality and perform regular maintenance to the aids to ensure they are operating at an optimum level. Daily cleanings and keeping them safe and dry are very important as well. Our staff will take the time to demonstrate how to best care for your hearing aids to ensure they last as long as possible.

Q. My father purchased a hearing aid a few years ago and is quite unhappy with how it works. Can anything be done to help him?

A. Yes! The way we adjust and fit hearing aids has improved greatly over the last few years and is much more accurate than ever before. The best part is that it can often be done at no charge. Please call us to schedule an appointment. If we can take some time to consult on what the issues are that lead to a less than positive experience, we can offer a number of solutions to make it better.

Q. I have noticed that some people have to constantly adjust their hearing aids. Will they ever make “automatic” hearing aids?

A. Yes, there are automatic hearing aids available right now at Woodard Hearing Centers. These hearing aids automatically adjust to the different listening situations the wearer is in. Digital hearing aids have a wide range of capabilities through the advancing technology. Some hearing aids have remote controls, some you just put on and go, and others have unique features to telephone communication, relaxation sounds, and water resistance features. If you would like to learn more about these hearing aids, please call for an appointment today.

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