Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are small, programmable devices that make speech and everyday sounds clearer for people with hearing loss. Today's hearing aids are discreet, rechargeable models are common, and many connect to your phone. We help patients in Santa Monica and Solvang choose, fit, and fine-tune the right devices for their hearing and their life.
How hearing aids work
Every hearing aid has the same basic parts: microphones that pick up sound, a processor that adjusts it, and a small speaker, called a receiver, that delivers it to your ear. The processor is where the real work happens. It’s programmed to your specific hearing loss, boosting the pitches you’ve lost while keeping comfortable sounds comfortable.
Modern hearing aids do much more than make things louder. Many can focus on the voice in front of you in a noisy room, soften sudden loud sounds, and adjust automatically as you move from a quiet living room to a busy street.
Signs hearing aids might help
You might benefit from hearing aids if you:
- Often ask people to repeat themselves
- Find conversation tiring in restaurants or groups
- Keep the TV louder than others want it
- Feel left out of conversations at family gatherings
- Have tinnitus along with hearing loss
The only way to know for sure is a comprehensive hearing evaluation. It shows the type and degree of your hearing loss and whether hearing aids are the right next step. You can also read more about the common signs of hearing loss.
Types of hearing aids
Hearing aids come in several styles. The right one depends on your hearing, the shape of your ear, how easy the device is for you to handle, and what you want it to do.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
The most popular style today. A small body sits behind the ear, with a thin wire running to a speaker inside the ear canal. They’re discreet, comfortable, and suit a wide range of hearing losses.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
A slightly larger body sits behind the ear and connects to an earmold or dome through a tube. These are durable, easy to handle, and can provide more power for greater hearing loss.
In-the-ear and in-the-canal
These are custom-made devices that sit in the outer ear or inside the canal, molded to the shape of your ear. The smallest in-canal models are very discreet, though they can be harder to handle and usually have fewer features.
Features worth considering
- Rechargeable batteries instead of tiny disposable ones
- Bluetooth streaming for phone calls, music, and TV
- Smartphone apps to adjust volume and settings on the go
- Tinnitus programs that play gentle sound therapy
Our approach at Alexander Audiology
Independent recommendations
We work across all major manufacturers and recommend devices based on your hearing, lifestyle, and budget, not on what we happen to stock. If a simpler device will serve you well, we’ll tell you.
Fitting and real-life tuning
A hearing aid is only as good as its fit and programming. We program your devices to your hearing results, then fine-tune them across real listening environments, not just in the booth. Come to follow-up visits with notes on where things sound great and where they don’t. That feedback shapes every adjustment.
Care that continues
Every fitting includes follow-up visits. Hearing changes, devices need adjustment, and we’re here for the long term. Our office manager, Roshanda M. Brown, a licensed audiology assistant with more than 25 years in hearing healthcare, is trained on the latest hearing aid technology and helps patients with everything from fittings to follow-up care.
Dr. Melissa Alexander also runs a charitable program providing no- and low-cost hearing aids to those in need.
What to expect
- Hearing evaluation. We start by measuring your hearing in detail.
- Consultation. We go over your results, your daily routine, and your priorities, then talk through options that fit.
- Fitting. We program your hearing aids to your results and make sure they’re comfortable in your ears.
- Adjustment period. Over the first few weeks, your brain gets used to hearing more. Wear your hearing aids consistently, even when it feels unfamiliar.
- Follow-up visits. We fine-tune your settings based on how they’re working in your real life.
Caring for your hearing aids
A few daily habits keep hearing aids working well:
- Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth each day.
- Change wax guards or filters as needed. Earwax is one of the most common reasons a hearing aid sounds weak or goes quiet.
- Keep them dry, and store them in their case or charger overnight.
- Schedule a professional check-in every 6 to 12 months.
If something does go wrong, our hearing aid repair service can often fix common issues on the spot.
Start with a conversation
If you’re wondering whether hearing aids could help you or someone you love, book a consultation. We see patients at our Santa Monica clinic on the Westside of Los Angeles and our Solvang clinic in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Common questions
Do hearing aids help with tinnitus?
For many people, yes. When tinnitus comes with hearing loss, hearing aids bring back outside sounds that make the tinnitus less noticeable, and many models include built-in sound therapy programs. A full hearing evaluation tells us whether hearing aids are likely to help in your case.
How long does it take to get used to hearing aids?
Most people need a few weeks to adjust. Your brain has to get used to sounds it hasn't heard clearly in a while, so everyday noises can seem loud or sharp at first. Wearing your hearing aids consistently and coming in for follow-up adjustments makes the transition much easier.
Do I need two hearing aids?
If you have hearing loss in both ears, two hearing aids are usually recommended. Hearing with both ears helps you tell where sounds are coming from and understand speech in noisy places. If only one ear has hearing loss, one device may be enough.
Are over-the-counter hearing aids a good option?
Over-the-counter hearing aids are available for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, and they can work for some people. They aren't fitted to your measured hearing, though, and they don't come with professional programming or follow-up care. A hearing evaluation is the best way to find out what level of help you actually need.
Can hearing aids connect to my phone?
Many modern hearing aids can stream phone calls, music, and TV audio over Bluetooth, and many can be adjusted from a smartphone app. We'll talk through which features matter to you during your consultation.
How long do hearing aids last?
With good care, hearing aids typically last several years. Daily cleaning at home and a professional check-in every 6 to 12 months help keep them working well, and your settings can be updated as your hearing changes.
Related services
Hearing Aid Repairs
Servicing, adjustments, and same-day fixes across every major brand.
Custom In-Ear Monitors
Stage-ready monitors molded for musicians, DJs, and audio pros.
Custom Hearing Protection
Industry, sport, and lifestyle protection molded to your ear.
From our blog
Earwax Removal: Why Cotton Swabs Make It Worse (and What Works Instead)
Cotton swabs push earwax deeper. The signs of an earwax blockage, what's safe to try at home, and how professional Earigator earwax removal works.
7 Signs It's Time for a Hearing Test
Turning up the TV, asking people to repeat themselves, dreading noisy restaurants? Seven common signs of hearing loss and what a hearing test involves.
Visit Alexander Audiology
Questions about hearing aids?
Book a consultation and we'll walk you through your options in detail.