Link Audiology | Hearing Aid Services in Washington

Link Audiology provides comprehensive hearing aid services in Washington. We have clinics in Silverdale, WA, Vashon, WA, and University Place, WA.

At Link Audiology, we aim to keep you connected with the people who matter most to you. We are here to help you hear better and live a fuller life. Our team of caring and experienced audiologists provides top-notch hearing aid services for people of all ages. Whether you’re having trouble hearing your friends and family or need a check-up for your hearing aids, we’re here to help.

Hearing Aid Selection

Choosing the right hearing aid begins with a hearing assessment. This is a series of tests done by an audiologist to check how well you hear sounds and understand speech.

The purpose of these tests is to find out if you have hearing loss and how severe it is.

Here are some common hearing tests:

Pure-tone Audiometry: In this test, you wear headphones, and the audiologist plays different sounds at various pitches and volumes. You raise your hand or press a button whenever you hear a sound. This helps the audiologist understand which sounds you can and cannot hear.

Speech Audiometry: You listen to words through headphones and repeat them to the audiologist for this test. This test shows how well you can hear and understand speech at different volumes.

Tympanometry: This test checks how well your eardrum moves. The audiologist puts a small probe in your ear that changes the air pressure. It helps find problems like fluid in the ear or a perforated eardrum.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE): This test measures the sounds your inner ear makes in response to hearing sounds. The audiologist places a tiny earphone in your ear, plays sounds, and measures the response.

These tests are important because they give the audiologist the information needed to recommend the best hearing aid for your needs.

After the assessment, you will discuss the results with the audiologist, who will help you choose a hearing aid that fits your lifestyle and level of hearing loss.

Hearing aid styles

Hearing aids are small devices that help people hear better. They come in different styles, each designed to fit various needs and preferences.

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)

Completely-in-Canal hearing aids are tiny devices that fit entirely inside the ear canal. They are barely visible and great for people who prefer a discreet option. CIC hearing aids work best for mild to moderate hearing loss. Because they are small, they may be harder to handle and clean.

In-the-Canal (ITC)

In-the-canal hearing aids are smaller than ITE aids and fit partly in the ear canal. They are less visible but still easy to handle. ITC hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss and offer a good balance of size and power.

In-the-Ear (ITE)

In-the-ear hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear. They are custom-made to fit the shape of your ear and are visible from the outside. ITE hearing aids are larger than some other styles but are still comfortable and easy to use. They work well for mild to severe hearing loss.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

Behind-the-ear hearing aids are worn behind the ear. They have a small case that sits behind the ear and a tube that connects to an ear mold inside the ear. BTE hearing aids are powerful and can be used for all levels of hearing loss. They are easy to handle and clean, making them a popular choice for many people.

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC)

Invisible-in-Canal hearing aids are the smallest type of hearing aids. They sit deep inside the ear canal and are almost invisible. IIC hearing aids are perfect for those who want the most discreet option. They are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss but can be tricky to handle due to their small size.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)

Receiver-in-canal hearing aids have a small case behind the ear, like BTE aids, but the receiver or speaker sits inside the ear canal. A thin wire connects the two parts. RIC hearing aids are comfortable and less visible than BTE aids. They work well for mild to severe hearing loss.

Each hearing aid style has its own advantages, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your hearing needs and lifestyle. If you’re not sure which style is right for you, an audiologist can help you decide.

Hearing Aid Fitting

Getting a hearing aid can be a big step toward better hearing and a more active life. Here’s a simple guide to understanding the factors to consider when choosing a hearing aid.

Type of Hearing Loss: Different hearing aids work better for different types of hearing loss. Some people have trouble hearing certain pitches, while others might have overall hearing loss. It’s important to get a hearing test to know what type of hearing loss you have.

Lifestyle: Think about your daily activities. If you’re very active, you might need a hearing aid that can handle a lot of movement. If you enjoy listening to music or watching TV, you might want one with special features for better sound quality.

Budget: Hearing aids come in a wide range of prices. Some have more features than others, which can make them more expensive. Finding a hearing aid that fits your budget while still meeting your needs is important.

Hearing Aid Programming and Adjustments

Hearing aids must be adjusted or programmed to ensure they work just right.

Reasons for adjustments may include the following:

1. Changes in Hearing: A person’s hearing might change over time. This could mean they hear better or worse than before. When this happens, the hearing aid needs to be adjusted to match their new level of hearing.

2. Comfort: Sometimes, hearing aids can feel uncomfortable in the ears. Adjustments can be made to make them fit better and feel more comfortable.

3. Performance: Hearing aids must work well in different places, like a noisy restaurant or a quiet room. Adjustments help the hearing aids perform their best in all kinds of settings.

Real ear measurements

Real ear measurements are a way to check if hearing aids are working properly. During this procedure, an audiologist places a tiny microphone inside your ear canal. This microphone measures the sound levels in your ear when the hearing aid is on. The audiologist then adjusts the hearing aid to ensure the sounds are clear and comfortable for you. This process helps customize the hearing aid to your specific hearing needs.

Real ear measurements are important because they ensure your hearing aids are set correctly.

Without these measurements, the hearing aids might not help you hear as well as they should. Using real ear measurements, audiologists can ensure you are hearing sounds at the right volume and that speech is clear. This means you can better understand conversations and hear important sounds in your environment.

Hearing Aid Repairs

All our hearing aids come with a three-year warranty. This means if they break, get lost, or are damaged, we will repair or replace them for free.

You can also buy extra warranty time for an additional cost. If your hearing aids are out of warranty, we can still fix them for a small fee. If we can’t fix them here, we’ll send them to the manufacturer and ensure they work correctly when they return.

We test all hearing aids with the latest equipment to ensure they work perfectly and are set up just the way you like them before you receive them.