Midwest Ear Institute
(317) 842-4901 | More Info
Our Services
- About Our Services
Our audiologists provide a wide range of services to meet the hearing needs of adults and children:- Evaluation for hearing aids
- Dispensing of a wide variety of hearing aids, featuring digital aids, the micro-size hearing aids, and the new open-fit hearing aids
- Computer-aided testing and fitting of hearing aids
- Repairs of all makes and models of hearing aids
- Batteries; Battery Discount Program
- Provider for union and insurance plans
- Repairs of all makes and models of hearing aids
- Assistive listening devices
- Noise-protection and water-protection custom ear plugs
- Training in communication skills
- Hearing conservation
- Evaluation for hearing aids
- About our Policies and Costs
The purchase of hearing aids begins with a hearing aid evaluation. At this first visit, the audiologist will help you determine which custom-made hearing instruments will best improve your hearing, taking into account your hearing test, your lifestyle, and your unique needs.
The price of the hearing instruments depends on the style chosen and by the type of circuitry that is necessary to afford you the best possible hearing. The cost includes the hearing aid evaluation, the selection of the hearing aids, the fitting of the hearing aids, and all visits during the 30-day evaluation period. In addition, included in the cost, is a yearly cleaning and technical check of the hearing aids. All hearing aids include a manufacturer's warranty of parts and labor during the warranty period.
If you have insurance coverage for all or part of the cost of hearing aids, please check with your company. Medicare does not provide any hearing aid benefits.
Hearing improvement with hearing aids depends on the style of hearing aids chosen, the type and degree of hearing loss, and the proper diagnostic testing. At the Midwest Ear Institute, we are proud of the education, skills, and training of our professional audiologists. - Getting Hearing Aids
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 aid is most suitable for you: analog, digitally programmable or fully digital?
- Do you want to regulate the volume of the hearing aid yourself, or would you prefer a hearing aid that adjusts 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 aid (BTE), or the new Open-Fit aid?
- Which ear has a problem hearing?
- Test & Audiometry
In order to adjust your hearing aid 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
Since the various systems produce different hearing impressions, it is important for you to make a comparison yourself. For this purpose we will produce custom-made earmolds based on the exact contours of your ears. We can then ensure that your hearing aid fits perfectly. - The Fitting
To determine the optimum settings for your hearing aids, 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 aids, 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 aids 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 final adjustments to your hearing aids. - Follow-up Care
Once your hearing aids have been fitted to your complete satisfaction, we will provide you with detailed information on how they should be maintained. Of course, you can have your hearing aids 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. - Pediatric Services
Since we have a wide range of experience in this field, we are also your best choice to fit children with hearing aids. We pay particular attention to our young patients. In relaxed surroundings, they enjoy having their hearing aid fitted, because we make hearing aid 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.
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.
- Learning "how" to listen