Tips Archieven - Ecoutez

Need help hearing in 2025? Here’s what you need to know.

Written by Ilse on 10 October 2025. Posted in Tips.

If you live in Southlake, Westlake, Roanoke, Trophy Lake, Keller, Grapevine, or Colleyville, you are just a few minutes away from the Best Audiologist of 2025, according to 76092 Magazine. In order to better understand what help she can give you, we need to know how you hear! Here are some things you can expect when you schedule a hearing test with us.

Meeting the Audiologist. When you first meet with Dr. Wainhouse, she will bring you to her office and get to know you and your hearing better. Don’t forget to bring your coffee and stroopwafel with you!

Hearing tests. After Dr. Wainhouse has had a chance to connect with you, she has a battery of tests which can help her determine what’s going on with your hearing. You’ll get to see the inside of your ear on a screen and get a little pressure test to see how your eardrum is moving. If you’ve been hiding anything in there, she will find it! Then you’ll head into the booth for a more advanced version of that test you remember from school, where you raise your hand for the beeps. Dr. Wainhouse will guide you through everything and go over all the results right after.

What if I have hearing loss? If we find that you have hearing loss, we have good news! There are hearing aids available to help you! We work with several of the big manufacturers and can get a product that will work for your specific hearing ability. Depending on your needs, there are devices that sit invisibly right behind your ear or devices that can go inside your ear. Not every hearing loss can be served by the same kind of hearing aid, but technology has gotten pretty amazing these days and you’d be surprised to find that hearing aids today do not look like your parents or grandparents devices used to.

Top Hearing Aids of 2025. With so many brands out there with so many price points, it can be overwhelming to start this journey. Luckily, Dr. Wainhouse has extensive training in fitting hearing aids for specific needs and works with several of the most innovative hearing aid brands available. Here are some of the most exciting technology available now from these brands.

Phonak Infinio Sphere

Phonak boasts impressive innovations in speech-in-noise technology with their newest model of hearing aid, the Infinio Sphere. This device has a dedicated AI chip which adapts to sounds in your environment in real time and can deal with even the toughest of noisy situations. They’re even rechargeable and work with your phone! Learn more here.

Phonak Infinio Virto

Phonak also makes a custom product which is one that is molded to your ear and fits inside the ear canal. If this option is right for you, much of the same advanced technology available in the over-the-ear models are available in these custom models. These are also rechargeable and work with your phone! Learn more here.

Starkey Edge AI

Starkey uses deep neural networks to process sounds in every environment you could think of and deal with noise with great efficiency. They also are well-known for their long battery life, water resistance, and extra health features like step counters and fall detection. These devices are rechargeable and work with your phone. Learn more here.

Starkey Signature Series

The custom molded products that Starkey makes are top of the line in terms of fit and connectivity. These devices are sleek, battery efficient, can connect to your phone, and were the first rechargeable custom devices on the market. Learn more here.

Oticon Intent

Oticon prides themselves on the naturalness of sound they achieve in their products. The Intent excels at spatial detection and has advanced processing to distinguish what you want to listen to from what you don’t want to listen to. These devices are rechargeable and work with your phone. Learn more here.

What are the best hearing aids?

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on What are the best hearing aids?

What hearing aids are right for me?

Congratulations! Identifying hearing loss is the first step to take on your journey to better hearing. Now that you know you may need hearing aids, how do you go about choosing the right ones for you? We’re “hear” to help.

What is your listening lifestyle?

Hearing aids are not one-size-fits-all. Your goals, your lifestyle and the type of hearing loss you have will determine what hearing aids are right for you. For example, there are brands of hearing aids specifically designed for someone who has tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. There are devices for those with severe hearing loss and for those who want the ability to customize programs into their hearing aids. Yes, you can do that!

Here are some things to consider regarding your lifestyle:

Do you regularly enjoy swimming or spend a lot of time near water?
Do you require a device that detects falls and can be monitored from a care-givers phone?
Do you stay away from large crowds and noisy areas?
Do you attend weekly meetings and get togethers with friends frequently?

Believe it or not, there are devices to fit your unique lifestyle no matter what it may be! Another aspect to consider is the amount of technology contained inside the hearing aid. Most modern hearing aids have some capacity of artificial intelligence inside the device for a number of reasons including to help you hear better in difficult listening environments: say a noisy restaurant. So, your listening lifestyle can influence which devices would be a best fit for you and how much technology your devices would need.

The fit of your devices

Lastly, the most important part of your hearing aid is how it fits. This is why seeing a professionally trained specialist, an audiologist, who is qualified to properly fit devices is vital to your hearing journey. Even the most highly rated devices will not sound clear if they are not properly fitted and maintained. Think: you wouldn’t just buy any size pants and expect them to fit! An audiologist can test if your hearing aid is properly programmed with a tool called Real Ear Measure, or REM. This procedure involves putting a very small microphone down the ear canal close to the eardrum. From there, the doctor will play some noise for the microphone. There are different types of noises depending on multiple factors including your type of hearing loss. This will allow the doctor to see exactly how much volume the hearing aid is providing based on the size and shape of your ear. See how personalized a hearing aid fitting is? If you think about it, a noise will sound different in a tiny closet versus in an auditorium. So, this test allows us to customize the hearing aid for your specific ear versus leaving the device on the standard settings.

We hope you can see just how personal choosing a hearing aid is. If you need assistance getting fitted for your specific needs, feel free to make an appointment or call our office and we would be happy to help you take your first step to better hearing!

Ready for a trial?

At Ecoutez Hearing Aid Boutique in Southlake Texas we offer a try before you buy program. You read that right, trial the best hearing aids from top brands from the comfort of your home before you commit to a purchase. Use the link below to schedule your hearing aid trial appointment or click HERE to learn more about our services.

Click HERE to schedule a complementary hearing aid trial!

How Do Hearing Aids Work?

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on How Do Hearing Aids Work?

How Do Hearing Aids Work?

To understand how hearing aids work, we first need to start off with a quick anatomy lesson.

Let’s learn about the ears! Your ear is made up of three parts: First, there is the outer ear which is the part you can see. This is called the pinna and the ear canal. Then, there is the middle ear which consists of the eardrum, three middle ear bones, and a tube that connects the middle ear to the nasal sinus cavity called the eustachian tube. Finally, there is the inner ear which is made up of the cochlea, the vestibular system, and the 8th cranial nerve. Now that we understand the basic anatomy of the ear, we can get into how those structures work to help us hear sounds! If you break it down, sounds are simply pressure waves. A wave is captured by our pinna and funneled into our ear canal to our eardrum. The ear drum then moves the three bones in the middle ear which sends an electrical pulse into the cochlea. The fine structures in the cochlea then transmit the signal up the 8th cranial nerve to our brain. And that’s how we hear music, our loved ones talking, birds chirping, and all other sounds!

So, what happens when a person experiences hearing loss?

Well, as we now know, there are many intricate structures in the ear and damage can occur in any of these places. A conductive hearing loss happens when sounds cannot get through the outer and middle ear meaning the damage is located in one of those sections. Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there is damage somewhere in the inner ear. Auditory processing disorder (APD) happens when the brain does not “hear” sounds in the usual way and struggles to interpret the information sent from the ears. You can read more about APD by clicking here.

Now, how do hearing aids work?

Hearing aids work by increasing the amount of sound you hear at specific frequencies. Since each person will have a unique type of hearing loss, each device must be specially programmed. It is crucial for a hearing aid to be fine-tuned. This is done through a test called Real Ear Measure. You can read more about that here.

Hearing aids amplify the sound through a three-part system. First, the sound is collected by the hearing aid at the microphone ports. Depending on the type of device you have, there can be one to four microphone ports. The sound is then filtered by the technology inside the device to help decrease background noise and increase speech clarity. From there, the sound is transmitted through the receiver into the ear canal. The sound can then be processed by the ear and brain as normal. So, if there is extensive damage to the ear, hearing aids may not be the best option. This is because hearing aids still depend on the fine structures of the ear. In a case where hearing aids are no longer helpful, a cochlear implant may be recommended by your audiologist or otolaryngologist.

Hearing Aid Technology

Hearing aid technology has come a long way in the past five years and now uses artificial intelligence to separate speech from the background noise. While the type of hearing aid device and the technology that is inside the device is an important component of quality hearing treatment, having best practice hearing aid fittings and a follow up treatment maintenance program is just as important.

To learn more about our hearing aid and treatment options, schedule an appointment with our audiologist!

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Be Nice To Your Ears!

Our ears are a vital part of our daily lives. These small, yet mighty, organs allow us to communicate with one another and experience the world around us. Unfortunately, they are also delicate and can be easily damaged. Noise-induced hearing loss is a growing concern, and it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your ears.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set regulations to ensure that employees are enrolled in the hearing conservation program and that their ears remain healthy while at work. But this isn’t just an issue for the workplace. In all settings, it’s critical to be mindful of the volume and duration of noise exposure.

Two major factors affecting noise-induced hearing loss are the sound level or the volume of noise and the duration of exposure. The louder a noise or music, the less amount of time you should spend listening. This is where NOISHA comes into play. NOISHA is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and they have set the recommended exposure limit for noise in non-occupational settings. It’s essential to be aware of these guidelines, as overexposure to loud sounds can cause permanent damage to our ears.

Our Lives Are Noisy!

There are several examples of non-occupational exposure to loud sounds. This includes shooting guns, riding on motorcycles, attending a NASCAR race, going to a concert, and even listening to music with headphones or earbuds. If you’ve ever found that after a concert your hearing seems muffled or notice you have a slight ringing in your ears, your ears are giving you a warning. This change in hearing post-concert is what we call a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS). TTS occurs after noise exposure but recovers back to normal after 10 to 72 hours. When you are younger, your ears typically bounce back after a loud concert, although not always. However, repeated exposure can change temporary shifts into a permanent threshold shift, which is irreversible.

How Do I Protect My Ears?

So, what can you do to protect your ears? The first step is to simply be aware of the nose levels in your environment. If you’re attending a concert or working in a loud place, make sure you are using earplugs or other protective gear. Also, take breaks by stepping away from the noise when possible to give your ears a chance to rest and recover.

Additionally, you can take steps to promote your overall ear health. This includes avoiding the use of cotton swags, no matter how good it feels, and other objects to clean the inside of your ears. If you experience any change in hearing or have pain or discomfort in your ears, seek medical attention.

The ears are a precious gift that should be properly cared for, just like other parts of your body. By taking proper precautions and using protection when necessary, you can ensure your hearing remains healthy and vibrant for years to come.

Stay tuned for next month’s blog where we will cover the best forms of hearing protection.

Concerned about noise-induced hearing loss?

To make an appointment with our audiologist you may schedule online, or call us today, and we can help get you on the path to better hearing! To learn more about our other services check out our website!

If you don’t use it, you lose it.

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on If you don’t use it, you lose it.

We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” about a million times before. This common expression simply describes the concept that if you aren’t actively using something, you may use the ability to do it altogether. This is particularly true when it comes to physical exercise, but it also rings true for mental exercise.

Did you know you should be exercising your brain just as you exercise your body? That’s right, your brain needs some attention! Our brains need constant training, just like our muscles, to maintain its health and function as well as memory and knowledge, two key processes that deteriorate with age. So, in order to live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, you should be working all parts of your brain.

Auditory Stimulation is Key.

The significance of keeping the brain strong through auditory stimulation is vital. The auditory nerve, which connects the ear to the brain, must be exercised constantly. The hearing system is constantly working and is incorporated into most everything we do. Even when we’re not actively listening, our brain is still processing sounds and making sense of the world around us.

For individuals with hearing loss, there is a possible circular chain of events that can take place. These individuals may withdraw from social interactions because concentration may become difficult. Family and friends may perceive this as unsociable, preoccupied, or forgetful. These perceptions, however, can lead a hearing-impaired individual to be mistakenly labeled as angry, confused, or senile, which may cause withdrawal. Withdrawing can lead to emotional turmoil and even a decline in exercising your brain and the auditory system. Can you see how this is a slippery slope?

The good news is that exercising both your brain and your auditory system is simple and can be fun! For example, playing games that challenge your brain, such as puzzles, crosswords, and Sudoku can help improve memory and cognitive function. Reading books, newspapers and blogs helps to improve vocabulary as well as memory and cognitive function. Or maybe you would be interested in learning a new skill such as a musical instrument! Even trying out new experiences such as traveling to a new place can also help keep your brain active. Let this be your new excuse to travel somewhere on your must-see list!

It’s important to note that hearing loss is not always preventable, and some people may require hearing aids or other assistive devices to help them hear. However, even with the use of these devices, it’s important to continue exercising the brain and auditory system to maintain healthy function.

Exercise your Brain.

Your auditory ability, cognitive ability, and communicative ability are all linked with your motivational level. Here at Ecoutez, we want everyone to stay motivated and enjoy life to the fullest, and an easy way to do so is by taking great care of your ears. Make an appointment today so you can start your journey to better hearing!

Adjusting to Hearing Aids

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on Adjusting to Hearing Aids

It takes time

Are you struggling with hearing loss? Are you considering hearing aids? It’s important to know that adjusting to hearing aids is a process, and it’s not something that happens overnight. Your brain needs time to adapt to the new sounds that you will be hearing with your hearing aids. In fact, auditory acclimatization is a phenomenon in which the performance with hearing aids improves after several weeks of use.

According to Arlinger et al (1996), auditory acclimatization is defined as a systematic change in auditory performance with time, linked to a change in the availability of acoustic information. This means that while there is an initial improvement in hearing when you first use hearing aids, extended use will lead to further improvement in performance. Your brain will get used to hearing new sounds and processing new auditory information. Think of it this way: You go to watch a movie at the theater, and the room is usually dimly lit. However, when you walk out of the theater into the bright sunlight, your eyes need time to adjust. The same goes for your ears when you start using hearing aids.

Trust the Process

Unlike eyeglasses, which provide instant results, hearing aids require some time for your brain to adjust to the new sounds. When you first start using hearing aids, you will notice that speech, environmental sounds, and noise are all louder than what you are used to. This can be overwhelming and cause some discomfort. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that this is a natural part of the acclimatization process.

To help with this process, hearing aids are programmed to not be at 100% target volume right off the bat. The goal is to help our patients have a pleasant listening experience and gradually get comfortable with hearing forgotten sounds without feeling overwhelmed. It’s crucial to have patience during this period and not expect linear progress.

Hearing loss is typically gradual, so there are likely sounds that you haven’t heard in several years. So, your brain needs to re-learn these sounds and practice knowing which sounds to focus on and which ones to filter out. As you wear your hearing aids daily, you’ll exercise parts of your brain and auditory nerve that have not been active, leading to better hearing.

The Importance of Trial Periods

To facilitate this process, we provide a trial period. This is an essential step in the process of adjusting to hearing aids because it allows you to test out the hearing aids in different environments and situations. The trial period typically lasts a few weeks, during which you can test the hearing aids in your daily routine and get used to the new sounds.

During the trial period, it’s important to take notes on how the hearing aids are working for you. This will help us fine-tune the hearing aids to your specific needs. It’s not uncommon to make adjustments to the hearing aids during the trial period to ensure that you are getting the best possible hearing experience.

At your own pace

Adjusting to hearing aids is a process that requires patience and commitment. It’s important to keep in mind that auditory acclimatization is a real phenomenon that can take several weeks to occur fully. Taking advantage of the trial period provided by most hearing aid manufacturers can be extremely helpful in making the necessary adjustments and ensuring that you are getting the best possible hearing experience. So if you’re considering hearing aids, remember to give yourself time to adjust, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us for support during the trial period. We are here for you! Ready to schedule a visit? Click here to do so.

Adjusting To Your Voice with Hearing Aids

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on Adjusting To Your Voice with Hearing Aids

You’re not alone – getting used to hearing aids can be challenging. One aspect of this adjustment process that can be particularly difficult is getting used to hearing your own voice. Since the microphone on the hearing aid is located close to your voice, it picks up and amplifies the sound of your own voice, which can be disorienting at first.

To help speed up the acclimatization process, we recommend that patients try reading out loud to themselves for 15-20 minutes each day. This can help you get used to the sound of your own voice and make conversations with others more comfortable.

It Takes Time

However, it’s important to note that real-world listening situations cannot be perfectly replicated in a clinic setting. That’s why we offer hearing aid demos with trial periods to help patients experience life outside of the clinic with their hearing aids. This process helps patients fully understand and experience the adaptation process before committing to buying the expensive hardware.

Our goal is to improve our patients’ communication and quality of life through the use of hearing aids. We understand that this is not an overnight change, and that it takes time and patience for patients to fully adjust to their hearing aids. But we are here to support our patients every step of the way.

Not All Ears Are The Same

It’s also worth noting that the adjustment process is different for everyone. Some patients may acclimate quickly, while others may take several weeks or even months. It’s important to be patient and to communicate with your audiologist throughout the adjustment process. Your audiologist can make adjustments to your hearing aids as needed to ensure that you are getting the most benefit from them.

Getting used to the sound of your own voice with hearing aids can be a strange process, but it’s an important part of the adaptation process. By reading out loud and taking advantage of trial periods with hearing aid demos, patients can speed up the acclimatization process and improve their overall communication and quality of life. Remember to be patient and communicate with your audiologist throughout the adjustment process to ensure that you are getting the most benefit from your hearing aids.

Things To Consider When Choosing A Hearing Aid

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Featured, Tips. No Comments on Things To Consider When Choosing A Hearing Aid

These days, we’re constantly surrounded by sound. The sounds of life are something nobody should miss out on, especially if they don’t have to. As technology becomes more abundant, we’ve made communication more available than ever before with phone calls and now facetime and video conferencing. These new communications mediums are highly advanced, but nothing will compete with the quality of true human communication directly from the lips. These new mediums often make healing more difficult, now more than ever, it’s important to address your hearing issues.

Let’s dive into some tips to consider when choosing a hearing aid.

1. Visit your doctor

It’s important to rule out any other causes of hearing loss before purchasing your hearing loss device. Ear infections and even earwax can cause nonpermanent hearing loss and can be treated by your doctor with no need for a hearing aid.

2. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist

An audiologist will access your hearing and can make a recommendation on the type of hearing aid that would be best for you. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.

3. Test out different hearing aids with a trial period

Trial periods are beneficial for multiple reasons. The first reason being it gives you an opportunity to figure out which hearing aid will be most comfortable for you. Trial periods also allow you to determine if you have all of the features you want.

4. Consider future needs

Ask if your hearing aid has different power levels. As time goes on, your hearing loss may get worse. If that is the case, you may need to consider a hearing aid with adjustable power.

5. Make sure to budget for your hearing aid

Hearing aids can be expensive. It’s a good idea to begin budgeting months before you’re ready to commit to a new device.

6. Consider the warranty

As tip #5 states, hearing aids are expensive. You should consider the available warranties when making your hearing aid selection.

7. Are the extras worth it?

Consider the costs and benefits of additional luxury features. Bluetooth smartphone capability is a nice feature to have, but it can cost hundreds of dollars extra. Most hearing aids are more than capable of being used with cell phones without the added Bluetooth feature.

8. Want a lower price? Ask for one!

Consumerreports.org reported that 14% of individuals in their survey tried to negotiate a lower price while 50% of those individuals successfully brought the price down.

Once you’ve done the proper research and selected your hearing aid, the learning curve begins. It’s important to remember that a hearing aid won’t return your hearing to your previously normal standards. That being said, you will get used to your new normal over time! You’ll need to use your new hearing aid in order to get used to it. Try adjusting the power levels and practice removing it and cleaning it to become comfortable handling it.

Now that you know what to look for in a hearing aid, we’d like to encourage you to set up an at-home appointment with us from Ecoutez! We’ll connect you to the sounds of life in the comfort of your very own home! For more information on Ecoutez and hearing loss check out our other blogs!

Hearing aids: Check out these fun facts!

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on Hearing aids: Check out these fun facts!

Hearing aids are an evolving technology. Your options are plentiful, features are plentiful, and there’s a hearing aid for every budget small and large. If you’ve recently entered the market for a hearing aid, check out these facts to take your knowledge and awareness to the next level.

Let’s talk about elephants!

Did you know that elephants have one of the strongest memories of any species on earth? Like these fantastic creatures, some hearing aids are capable of memorizing settings for different locations. For example, say you have a favorite restaurant. There’s a good chance this restaurant is going to be one of the noisier places you visit in your daily or weekly routine. Having a hearing aid with a strong memory is definitely a plus!

Hearing aids can treat loneliness!

Studies find that loneliness is linked to hearing loss in many cases. Studies have also found that when these individuals take action towards treating their hearing loss, loneliness retreats.

Hearing aids are durable!

Modern-day hearing aids are more reliable and durable than ever before. In fact, some hearing aids are water-resistant. You no longer have to fear going on those hikes and other outdoor adventures!

Improved quality of life!

8 out of 10 users report that their hearing aid has improved their quality of life while 3 out of 4 have said that their hearing aid has made them more confident in social situations.

Gotta love technology!

Some hearing aids allow you to stream audio from your tv, phone, or stereo directly to your device. It’s like getting your own secret pair of headphones! ;)

Track your health from your ears!

Many hearing devices will track your overall health like a smartwatch! Artificial intelligence has made its way into the hearing aid industry and you can reap the benefits!

Shoe me the money!

Studies have found that treatment of hearing loss with a hearing aid has an association with earning power!

It’s important to make informed decisions when treating your hearing loss. Make a list of the features that are most important to you and make sure you have a realistic budget set for a device with your favorite features. Always consult your doctor if you believe you’re experiencing hearing loss. If you’re in the market for a new hearing aid, check out our other blogs and schedule an at-home appointment with our team today.

How To Choose The Hearing Aid Style That’s Right For You

Written by Seytec on 3 May 2023. Posted in Tips. No Comments on How To Choose The Hearing Aid Style That’s Right For You

So you’re in the market for a new hearing aid. Selecting one can be an intimidating task. Let’s take a look at how to choose the right hearing aid for you!

Step 1. Understand How Hearing Aids Work

All hearing aids use the same basic components to do one job: carry sound from your outer environment to your brain. They use tiny microphones with a small computer chip that amplifies the sound, making it easier for you to hear.

Step 2. Understand Different Styles

While all hearing aids have the same basic function, fitment will vary across different styles. It’s important to know the differences to ensure you’re able to choose the right hearing aid for you. Let’s take a look at some different styles.

(A) Completely in the canal (CIC)

Smallest
Unlikely to pick up wind noise
Smaller batteries and therefore shorter battery life
Usually has fewer features

(B) In the canal (ITC)

Still less visible than larger hearing aids
Has featured you won’t find on CIC hearing aids
May be difficult to adjust

(C) In The Ear (ITE)

Plentiful features that won’t be found on smaller hearing aids like sound adjustment and directional microphones.
Easier to handle
Larger battery mens longer battery life
Could pick up more wind noise due to size
More visible

(D) Behind the ear

Traditionally larger in size
Directional microphones
More amplification capabilities
The rechargeable battery is common

Step 3. Consider The Features

Now that you understand the different styles of healing aids, consider the features that are most important to you. Features like noise reduction, directional microphones, rechargeable batteries, and direct audio input won’t be available in every style of hearing aid. Make sure you have a happy balance of comfort and featured when selecting the hearing aid that’s right for you.

If you found this blog helpful, check out our other blogs here!