High-tech hearing aids available at Central Lakes Medical Clinic

Kristin Schmidt and Gayle Cousins, audiologists at Central Lakes Medical Clinic in Crosby, attended the American Academy of Audiology’s annual conference in San Diego where they learned about the latest in hearing aid technology.

In recent years, hearing aids have gotten smaller, more comfortable and have been refined to help patients hear better, frequency-by-frequency.

“Most people lose their hearing gradually,” Schmidt said. “With digital, programmable hearing aids, we can make that transition slower, letting the patient get used to the sounds.”

Schmidt said 36 million Americans suffer from hearing loss and more than half of them are younger than 65.

“It’s a big problem. Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the U.S.,” Schmidt said. “It’s one of the most untreated health problems because people don’t want to get a hearing aid.”

Central Lakes Medical Clinic’s hearing aid program began more than 10 years ago. Schmidt and Cousins work in conjunction with Ear, Nose and Throat specialists Drs. V. Terry Rhodes and Kurtis Waters in Crosby.

At Central Lakes Medical Clinic, patients are given a hearing evaluation and are educated on their options if hearing loss is discovered.

Schmidt recommends getting a hearing test by age 50, even if there are no symptoms of hearing loss. Symptoms include ringing or buzzing in the ears, dizziness, and not being able to hear, especially when background noise is present.

Contact Schmidt or Cousins at (218) 546-8375 ext. 2605 to schedule an appointment or to get more information on hearing health and the technical advancements in audiology.