Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hearing loss?

There are several factors that contribute to even the smallest amount of hearing loss. For a larger list of some of the culprits behind hearing loss, read more.

Why the Giraffe?

People are always curious about what our giraffe has to do with hearing. Well, nothing actually! Several years ago, we did a health fair at the zoo and handed our coupons for hearing screenings. We put two giraffes on the envelope and people made a lot of positive comments about them. Two days later, Sandy from our office saw a shirt with a giraffe and the saying, "Head and shoulders above the rest" on it. The rest is history. We have found that people can remember a giraffe better than the name Audicles....

Do insurance companies pay for hearing aids?

Although most insurance doesn't cover hearing aids, you should check with your provider to see if they have some type of benefit. Some companies provide partial payment of the hearing aid or have clinics that offer special prices.

Why can I hear sounds loud enough but not understand?

Even a slight high-frequency loss can cause problems with clarity of speech. You can hear part of the word but not all of it. This problem is especially bad in a noisy environment.

Can a person be too young or too old to wear a hearing aid?

The youngest child we fit here at Audicles was 5 weeks old! She was born with no ear canals and wore a special hearing aid as soon as she came in. With children, early amplification is imperative to their speech and language development. We have never seen anyone too "old" to wear a hearing aid--one client bought a replacement aid at the age of 100! We feel strongly that every day is important in terms of being able to communicate with family and friends.

What if I try a hearing aid and can't wear it?

The state of Texas requires a 30-day trial period with a hearing aid with a refund of most of your initial deposit. We make sure that the hearing aid that we have selected is the right one for you, but you are the final decision-maker in wearing it.