Frequently Asked Questions

Show-Me Hearing Consultants is committed to providing personalized care to each patient. Our audiologists take the time to get to know you and your specific hearing needs to create a customized treatment plan that works for you.

Show-Me Hearing Consultants offers a variety of hearing aid styles and brands, including behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, and invisible-in-canal options. Our audiologists will work with you to select the best hearing aid for your lifestyle and budget.

Your visit begins with a conversation.  We'll discuss your hearing concerns, medical history and lifestyle needs.  A full hearing evaluation will follow and then we will review your results together in clear language.  You will leave with answers, options and support - not pressure.

If you struggle to hear conversations, frequently ask for repeats, or find background noise overwhelming, hearing aids may help.  Your hearing test results will guide us and we will work together to determine the best solution for your needs.  

Hearing is not just about sound; it is about how your brain processes and stays connected to the world around you.  When hearing loss goes untreated, the brain has to work harder to make sense of incomplete sound information.  Over time, this increased effort can lead to fatigue, reduced clarity and changes in how the brain processes speech.  

Research shows that untreated hearing loss is associated with increased risks of social isolation, cognitive strain and memory challenges.  When the brain receives less sound input, the areas responsible for hearing and communication can become less active, much like a muscle that isn't used regularly.

Addressing hearing loss earlier rather than later helps keep the brain engaged, stimulated and connected.  Hearing aids do more than amplify sound, they support the brain's ability to process speech clearly, stay socially involved and reduce listening effort.  

Early intervention isn't about "how bad" your hearing is, it is about protecting brain health, communication and quality of life for years to come.  

Most adults benefit from annual hearing evaluations or sooner if you notice changes.  Just like vision or dental care, hearing deserves routine monitoring and hearing aid devices require routine maintenance.  

We repair and service most major hearing aid brands and models.  Many devices can be cleaned or repaired the same day, depending on the issue.  However, based on age, level of damage or parts availability, some devices may need to be sent to the manufacturer for repair.  We also offer Electroacoustic Analysis (EAA) and Redux hearing aid restoration services to diagnose performance issues and prevent potential problems over time.

 EAA is a test that measures how your hearing aid is functioning compared to how it should function.  Using specialized equipment, we evaluate sound output, distortion levels, and frequency response.  This helps diagnose issues and ensure your devices are performing optimally - just like a tune-up for your hearing aids. 

We also offer Redux hearing aid commercial-grade restoration and drying services.  The Redux system removes moisture from hearing aids more effectively than traditional drying methods.  A quick treatment can restore clarity, improve performance and may revive devices that seem dead.  

Your hearing aid fitting is more than simply putting devices in your ears - it's a personalized process designed to help you hear clearly and comfortably in real-life situations.  During your appointment, we will: 

1. Place and program your hearing aids:  Using your hearing profile, we program the devices specifically for your needs instead of relying on default manufacturer settings. 
2. Verify settings using Real-Ear Measures (REM):  A tiny microphone is placed in your ear canal to measure how sound is delivered inside your ear, not just in software.  This is important because every ear canal is shaped differently, which affects how you hear through your devices.  Real-ear verification ensures your hearing aids are meeting evidence-based targets for speech clarity, comfort and audibility - leading to better outcomes, especially in conversations.
3. Teach you how to use and care for your devices:  We will show you how to insert and remove your hearing aids, charge them or replace batteries, clean them and pair them with your phone if desired. 
4. Adjust and fine-tune settings: Your feedback matters.  If something sounds too loud, too soft, sharp or unclear - we make adjustments until communication feels natural. 
5. Schedule follow-up visits: better hearing is a journey.  We check your progress, make changes as your brain adapts, answer questions and support you long-term.

We are in-network with Medicare and Ear Professionals Network (formally United Healthcare Hearing).  At this time, we are out-of-network with other commercial insurance plans, but many patients still choose to work with us using private pay, HSA/FSA funds, financing options or reimbursement submission.  We're happy to provide itemized invoices and will walk you through your options so you can choose works best.