Hearing Aid Services

At Journey Audiology, we offer comprehensive hearing aid services to help you find the best solution for your hearing needs. Our experienced audiologists will guide you through the process of evaluating your hearing, recommending the most appropriate technology and ensuring a proper fit for optimal performance.

Evaluation for Hearing Aids

The first step in determining if you need hearing aids is to have a complete hearing evaluation. During this evaluation, we will take a case history to understand how your hearing problem impacts your daily life and the lives of your family members. We may also ask some basic questions about your general health history.

Hearing tests help identify any hearing loss present, allowing for timely intervention and better management. During the test, an audiologist will assess your hearing ability through a series of simple tests. These evaluations measure how well you hear different sounds and frequencies, helping to determine the type and extent of any hearing loss.

Hearing Tests

The results from your hearing test will provide our specialists with information about the sounds you may be missing or having difficulty hearing. Based on these results, we will make the best treatment recommendations, which typically includes hearing aids.

If hearing aids are recommended, we will explain which sounds you have trouble hearing and how hearing aids can help. You will have the opportunity to see and touch different styles of hearing aids and, in some cases, even listen to them. We will help you choose the best hearing aid style, features and level of sophistication based on your degree of hearing loss, lifestyle and financial circumstances.

Hearing Aid Fitting

Once you have selected your hearing aids, you will return to our clinic for a fitting appointment. During this visit, we will program your hearing aids using a computer program that sets the audio parameters needed to improve speech, based on the information obtained from your hearing tests.

To confirm that these settings are correct, we will perform a Real Ear Measure, which determines how loud sounds are in your ear canal after being processed by the hearing aid. This test ensures that soft sounds are adequately amplified and very loud sounds are reduced to a comfortable level.

After fitting your hearing aids, we will review proper care and maintenance with you, demonstrate how to safely insert and remove the devices and show you how to change the batteries. We will also schedule follow-up visits to fine-tune your hearing aids and make any necessary adjustments for the best possible fit and performance.

Hearing Aid Repairs and Maintenance

Hearing aids are complex electronic devices that require proper care and maintenance to keep them working optimally. We recommend daily cleaning of your hearing aids to remove earwax, moisture and debris. Use a wax pick, soft-bristled toothbrush or a mild soap solution to clean your devices, and always make sure the earmold portion is completely dry before reattaching it to the rest of the device.

If you experience any issues with your hearing aids, like weak sound, distortion or whistling, try troubleshooting the problem first. Check to make sure the hearing aid is turned on; the battery is working and there is no earwax blocking the receiver. If the problem persists, our office can perform minor repairs and help you get back to hearing clearly.

Customized Hearing Aid Preferences

At Journey Audiology, we use live speech mapping to ensure your hearing aids are programmed for your individual needs. This advanced technology uses small microphones placed in your ear canal to measure the response of the hearing aid, taking into account the unique characteristics of your ear and hearing loss.

During a live speech mapping appointment, we ask that you bring a family member or close friend to act as a “gauge” for your ability to hear live voices. Our audiologists will use high-tech equipment to “see” what you are hearing through your hearing aids on a screen in real-time, allowing both you and your family to visualize and understand the differences that hearing aids can make in your hearing ability.

Contact Journey Audiology at (800) 555-5923 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our comprehensive hearing aid services, including live speech mapping and hearing aid repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do hearing aids cost?

The cost of hearing aids varies based on the technology level, features, and your individual hearing needs. Some devices offer advanced options like rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity, background noise reduction, and automatic adjustments for different listening environments.

At Journey Audiology, we’ll help you find hearing aids that fit both your hearing goals and your budget. We also discuss financing options and available insurance benefits so you can make the choice that’s right for you. We’re really proud to offer financing options for patients to make hearing healthcare as affordable as possible.

Which hearing aid brand is best?

There isn’t one “best” hearing aid brand for everyone. The right hearing aid depends on your hearing loss, lifestyle, listening environments, and personal preferences. At Journey Audiology, we work with several leading manufacturers so we can recommend the solution that best fits your unique needs—not just one brand.

A professional hearing evaluation and personalized fitting are often more important than choosing a specific manufacturer. We’re here to help you find the right technology for your everyday life – because at the end of the day, this is one of the most personal choices you can make. To help you get started, we recommend checking out our free hearing aid guide.

Can hearing aids connect to an iPhone or Android phone?

Many modern hearing aids connect directly to iPhones and Android phones using Bluetooth technology, allowing you to stream phone calls, music, podcasts, and other audio directly to your hearing aids. Many devices also work with companion apps that let you adjust volume, change listening programs, and locate misplaced hearing aids.

If smartphone connectivity is important to you, we’ll help you choose hearing aids that work seamlessly with your smartphone and show you how to use all of their features.

Which hearing aid brands support remote programming?

Several leading hearing aid manufacturers offer remote programming capabilities, including ReSound, Starkey and others we carry. During your hearing aid fitting appointment, we’ll recommend hearing aids that include remote care features if convenience and flexibility are important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need in-office visits if I do concierge hearing care?

While many follow-up appointments and hearing aid adjustments can be completed remotely, some services—such as hearing evaluations, ear examinations, or new hearing aid fittings—are best performed in person. We’ll help you determine which visits can be handled remotely.

Can older adults use remote hearing care?

Of course! Many older adults enjoy the convenience of remote hearing care, especially if traveling is difficult or if they are traveling to see grandkids and friends. Our team provides simple instructions and support to make the technology easy to use, and family members are always welcome to assist during appointments. Just give us a call at (651) 661-1052 to set up a remote hearing care appointment.

Can patients outside Hastings receive remote hearing aid support?

Absolutely! If you move, if your hearing aids came from us, or your hearing aids are compatible with our remote programming, we can often provide ongoing support even if you live or move outside of Hastings. We can also do this if you are temporarily away from home and traveling. We’ll let you know if your devices are eligible and if we see any concerns with servicing your location remotely or via telehealth. Contact us by phone today to get more information. Just give us a call at (651) 661-1052.

Can snowbirds receive hearing aid adjustments while traveling?

Yes! We absolutely love our snowbird patients and happily serve our patients a they travel with a variety of needs. One of the biggest benefits of remote hearing care is that many hearing aid programming adjustments can be completed while you’re away from Minnesota. Whether you’re spending the winter in Arizona, Florida, or elsewhere, we’re often able to help you stay connected without interrupting your travels.