A night out at the opera is an enjoyable experience for everyone, but what if you are hard of hearing? Does that mean you won’t hear the singing? Fortunately, there are plenty of hearing aid options for you.What is hearing loss? Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States. It is caused by: Exposure to excessive loud noise Ear infections, trauma, or ear disease Damage to the inner ear and ear drum from contact with a foreign object Illness or certain medications Deterioration due to the normal aging process More than half of those who suffer hearing loss are younger than 65.What new technology do hearing aids have? Hearing aids have seen great technological advancements over the years, and many are tailored to their patients’ unique needs. Some hearing aid manufacturers offer models with music enhancement. For example, Microtech’s Summit and Kinnect 2 lines have second compressors just for music processing. Phonak, Oticon, and Widex hearing aids also all have extended bandwidth that is good for music listening. In some cases, opera venues themselves offer listener assistance to hard-of-hearing patrons. Primarily, people can wear a receiver pack connected to headphones. T-Coil connectivity is also an option for people attending Opera Carolina shows. If attendees at the Belk Theatre have a T-coil-equipped device, they can wear a T-coil neck loop that connects to an FM receiver pack. CEENTA is a premier source for hearing care providers, with nearly 30 audiologists and hearing aid specialists in offices across North and South Carolina. All the audiologists are state-licensed doctors or have a master’s degree, some with up to 25 years experience working with hearing aids. They are able to fit a patient’s treatment to their hearing lifestyle, from a quiet life with minimal background noise all the way to a dynamic one with frequent background noise. This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician. To make an appointment with one of CEENTA’s audiologists, call 704-295-3000.
