Most patients arrive at their first hearing evaluation with the same handful of questions. Below are clear, audiologist-written answers to the questions Dr. Rossetti hears most often in her Fort Lauderdale practice — from how hearing tests work, to whether Medicare covers hearing aids, to what to actually expect during the adjustment period.
Don’t see your question here? Call us at (954) 999-5495 or schedule a visit and we’ll cover anything specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A licensed audiologist diagnoses hearing loss with a series of painless tests in a sound-treated booth: pure-tone audiometry (the “press the button when you hear a tone” test), speech-in-noise testing, tympanometry to measure middle-ear function, and an otoscopic exam to check the ear canal and eardrum. The whole evaluation takes 60–90 minutes and produces an audiogram — a chart showing exactly which pitches and volumes you can hear.
It depends on the cause. Conductive hearing loss caused by earwax, fluid, or middle-ear issues is usually fully reversible. Sensorineural hearing loss — the most common kind in adults — involves permanent damage to the inner ear’s hair cells and cannot be medically reversed, but it is highly manageable with properly fitted hearing aids verified through Real-Ear Measurement.
Modern hearing aids are dramatically better than what was available 10 or 15 years ago, but they are not a cure. They amplify the specific frequencies your ear has lost, helping you understand speech and engage in conversation again. Most patients report sounds feeling clearer and conversation feeling easier within the first few weeks. Real-Ear Measurement verification at fitting is essential for getting the most out of any hearing aid.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids or routine hearing exams. Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include partial hearing aid benefits, and some private insurance plans (including some PPOs) cover a portion. Florida Hearing Matters works with most major insurance plans and offers financing through CareCredit. Our office can verify your specific benefits before your visit so you know what to expect.
Hearing aid costs vary widely based on the technology level, features, and whether the device is in-the-canal, behind-the-ear, or invisible. Rather than focusing on price, we focus on matching the right device to your specific lifestyle and goals. We offer financing options through CareCredit and can help verify any insurance benefits you may have.
Often, yes. Many modern hearing aids include tinnitus management features, and treating the underlying hearing loss alone can significantly reduce tinnitus perception in many patients. We’ll discuss tinnitus during your evaluation and recommend the right combination of hearing aid technology and management strategies.
A well-cared-for hearing aid typically lasts 5–7 years before technology upgrades and battery system changes warrant replacement. The internal components are designed for daily wear, but they do require regular professional cleanings (we provide these) and occasional repairs.
Most patients adjust within 4–6 weeks. Your brain has learned to filter sound a certain way for years, and re-introducing frequencies you’ve been missing takes some recalibration. We schedule follow-up appointments at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-fitting to fine-tune the programming and answer any questions. The 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee means there’s no risk in trying.
If you have hearing loss in both ears, two hearing aids (binaural fitting) is almost always recommended. Hearing in stereo is essential for understanding speech in noise, locating where sounds are coming from, and preventing “auditory deprivation” in the unaided ear. Single-ear fittings are only appropriate for true single-sided hearing loss.
No. In Florida, you can schedule directly with a licensed audiologist without a physician referral. Some insurance plans require referrals for coverage, so we recommend checking your specific benefits first.
An audiologist holds a doctorate (Au.D.) or master’s degree in audiology, completes clinical training, and is licensed to diagnose hearing and balance disorders, fit hearing aids, and provide rehabilitative services. A hearing aid dispenser typically has a state license to sell and fit hearing aids but cannot perform diagnostic testing. Dr. Rossetti is a board-certified audiologist with a doctorate from Salus University.
OTC hearing aids can work for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who are comfortable self-fitting and self-managing the device. However, without Real-Ear Measurement verification — which only an audiologist can perform — the device’s actual amplification at your eardrum may not match its programmed settings, often by a wide margin. Most patients who try OTC first eventually come in for professional fitting because the results are noticeably better.
Yes — we encourage it. A spouse or adult child can be incredibly helpful both for understanding the results and for adjusting to hearing aids afterward. They often notice improvements before you do, and they can advocate for you in conversations during the adjustment period.
It can. The inner ear is responsible for both hearing and balance, and conditions affecting one often affect the other. Patients with hearing loss have a measurably higher fall risk. If you’re experiencing dizziness alongside hearing changes, mention it during your evaluation.
Adults should have a baseline hearing test by age 50 and then every 1–3 years after, sooner if any signs of hearing loss appear. Anyone with significant occupational or recreational noise exposure should be tested annually. Existing hearing aid users typically come in every 6–12 months for adjustments and a check-up.