Our Services

Getting Hearing Devices

Once you have told us your history and your personal expectations with regard to your hearing, we provide you with detailed advice on the most appropriate products and facilities to meet your requirements:

Which ear has a problem hearing?

Which style of hearing device is most suitable for you?

Do you want to regulate the volume of the hearing devices yourself, or would you prefer that they adjust automatically to any hearing situation?

Which aid best suits your hearing loss or your personal situation? A Completely-in-the Ear (CIC), In-the-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE), behind-the-ear (BTE), or the new Open-Fit device?

Test & Audiometry

In order to adjust your hearing devices to your individual requirements, we first determine your personal hearing profile, or "audiogram." This is done by testing your ability to hear a variety of speech and environmental sounds.

The Ear Impression

If needed,  we will produce custom-made earmolds based on the exact contours of your ears. We can then ensure that your hearing device fits perfectly.  Open-fit hearing instruments do not need ear molds so they can often be fit the same day as your hearing evaluation.

The Fitting

To determine the optimum settings for your hearing devices, we use your audiogram, as well as your personal impression of how well you can hear. This adjustment process is carried out using a computer.

When adjusting your hearing devices, we take various measurements to check how well you can hear. Once we teach you how to operate them and instruct you on the energy supply (batteries), you should wear your new hearing devices for a few days in your regular surroundings.

Based upon what you tell us about how well you can hear in your everyday surroundings, we will make any necessary adjustments to your hearing devicess.

Included with your hearing instruments is a "care kit" which consists of a hearing instrument dehumidifier, otoease (lubricant), battery caddy, disinfectant spray and a year's supply of batteries. 

Follow-up Care

Once your hearing devices have been fit to your complete satisfaction, we will provide you with detailed information on how they should be maintained. Of course, you can have your hearing devices checked by us at any time. This will ensure that the sound quality remains as good as ever and will extend the life of your aids.  You are also entitled to an annual technical check and professional cleaning of your hearing instruments at no charge.

Pediatric Services

Since we have a wide range of experience in this field, we are also your best choice to fit children with hearing devices. We pay particular attention to our young patients. In relaxed surroundings, they enjoy having their hearing instruments fit, because we make hearing device fittings fun. We also offer a range of accessories, tailor-made for our young patients.

"Hear Better" Class

Our "Hear Better" Class is a group aural rehabilitation class offered at no charge to patients being fit with new hearing instruments at the Midwest Ear Institute. It focuses on reducing difficulties related to hearing loss and listening. The overall goal is to maximize communication success in everyday environment and situations.

This informal class is available to individuals with new hearing instruments and to individuals with older instruments who feel they need a refresher course. They are also useful for individuals considering purchasing hearing instruments.  A family member or friend are invited to participate.

Group aural rehabilitation classes include:

• Learning "how" to listen
• Learning how hearing loss affects speech
• Learning skills in speech-reading (lip-reading, facial expressions, gestures, body language)
• Building confidence in handling communication situations
• Learning what to do when you "don't get the message"
• Learning how to use your hearing instruments
• Learning about different kinds of technology to improve communication
• Learning how to advocate for yourself
• Promoting family and care-giver understanding and support of your needs
• Learning how you can make it easier for your family to communicate with you.

For more information, call our Medical Hearing Aids Division at 317-842-4901 or 800-818-EARS (3277).