This depends on various factors. To determine the type of hearing aid you need, we need to consider:

A) The degree of hearing loss you have,
B) The size of your ear canal,
C) The amount of earwax your ears produce,
D) If you often suffer from ear infections,
E) Your ability to handle hearing aids (i.e., if there are any dexterity issues with your hands).

Regarding the suitable category for you, this is mainly determined by your needs, with a primary criterion being your social activity. For example, the needs of someone who is regularly around a lot of people or in noisy environments differ from those of someone leading a quieter life. Nonetheless, the better the category of the hearing aid the higher the quality sound of the hearing aid will be.

There are three types of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the inner part of the ear, conductive hearing loss where the damage is located in the middle or outer part of the ear, and mixed type hearing loss where there is damage to both the inner and middle or outer part of the ear.

It’s not always easy to tell whether you’re experiencing hearing loss or whether you could benefit from hearing aids. Here are some signs to look out for:

• You feel like people mumble a lot or speak too quietly
• You frequently ask people to repeat themselves, especially when you’re in noisier environments
• You notice that people often have to gesture, stand directly in front of you, repeat themselves or speak more loudly in order to get your attention
• You feel like you can hear people but can’t understand what they’re saying, especially when they make higher-pitched sounds (e.g., consonant sounds like s, sh, f or th) or when they have higher-pitched voices
• You notice that it’s harder to understand someone when you can’t see their face or when you’re speaking to them through a phone or audiovisual technology
• You tend to keep the volume on your television, phone or radio much higher than other people do
• You struggle to follow the conversation in group settings, public gatherings, live theatrical productions, etc.

Hearing aid manufacturers claim a life expectancy of at least 5 years for their devices. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they will malfunction within 5 years. If someone takes care of/cleans their hearing aids properly, the devices will function for many years.

If you have hearing loss in both ears, then you need two hearing aids to have as natural hearing as possible. With just one hearing aid, clarity issues arise, meaning you won’t understand speech comfortably, and you won’t be able to determine the direction of sounds.

The field of hearing aids for hearing loss is unknown to most people as it is something specific and specialized. Therefore, the average citizen is not aware of which brand is considered best as is the case with mobile phones. If we ask ten passerby’s which is the best phone brand will probably get the same answers: iPhone and Samsung. This is why everyone in need of hearing aids should be informed about the best hearing aid provider through market research. What they will find is that Phonak from Switzerland and Oticon from Denmark stand out. This is due to various factors:

A) They are the manufactures with the highest sales.
B) They offer the highest quality/natural sound as evidenced by various studies conducted by both hearing aid users and specialists in hearing devices (doctors and audiologists) and by independent companies that compare the best brands of hearing aids (https://www.hearingtracker.com).
C) They are pioneers in many innovations.
D) They operate globally.
E) They never stop evolving their products. It is only logical for each Audiology Centre to claim that their brand is the best, but the truth is that the title for the best manufacturer goes to only one or two companies.

There are several good brands, but the best ones are Phonak and Oticon.

There are two types of hearing aids: In-the-ear (ITE) which are devices that go inside the ear, and behind-the-ear (BTE) which are supported behind the ear. As for the categories of hearing aids, there are five levels: Basic, Essential, Standard, Advanced, and Premium.

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by the perception of noise or ringing in the ears without an external source. It can be caused by various factors, such as exposure to loud noises, age-related hearing loss or underlying health conditions. Treatment options often focus on managing symptoms and may include hearing aids, masking devices, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and in some cases, addressing the underlying cause if possible. However, there is no cure for tinnitus.

Recent studies have revealed a direct connection between hearing loss and dementia (although dementia can arise for other reasons as well). According to research, individuals with hearing loss who do not address it with the use of hearing aids have an increase chance of developing dementia, depending on the severity of the hearing loss. If someone with hearing loss addresses the issue, the part of the brain responsible for hearing does not become inactive therefore, the chances of dementia caused by hearing loss decrease significantly.

Several signs may indicate that someone is experiencing difficulty hearing well. Here are some common indicators:

Difficulty Understanding Spoken Words:
Struggling to understand or follow conversations, especially in noisy environments.
Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.

Volume Adjustment:
Listening to the TV, radio, or music at a higher volume than others find comfortable.

Social Withdrawal:
Avoiding social gatherings or events where listening and communication are challenging.

Miscommunication:
Frequently misunderstanding what others are saying or responding inappropriately to questions or comments.

Phone Difficulties:
Difficulty hearing and understanding conversations on the phone.

Speech and Sound Perception:
Difficulty hearing soft sounds or distinguishing between certain consonants.

Complaints from Others:
Friends, family or colleagues may express concerns about the individual’s ability to hear.

Tinnitus:
Experiencing ringing, buzzing or other noises in the ears, which can sometimes accompany hearing loss.

Fatigue and Stress:
Feeling tired or stressed after straining to hear and understand conversations.

A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. It makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear better in both quiet and noisy situations. However, only about one out of five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one. A hearing aid has three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The hearing aid receives sound through the microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker.

The cost is linked to the category level as well as the characteristics of the hearing aid and therefore, prices vary. Prices per hearing aid start from 800 Euros and can go up to 3500 euros per device.

Premium hearing aids are equipped with more programs, hence are more complex devices, which required more research/time to reach that level. The more technologically advanced a hearing aid is, the more expensive it is.

Both types of hearing aids offer the same sound quality and technology. Therefore, it depends on each person’s personal choice/demands. There are different advantages to each type taking into consideration the degree of hearing loss and the needs of the patient.

Considering that we have a correct audiogram, the correct selection of hearing aid type, as well as the right choice of speaker, proper adjustments and of course correct application, high-quality and technologically advanced hearing aids do not whistle. Therefore, if there is whistling, something from the above was not done correctly, either by the specialist or the user.

They require daily cleaning. Approximately once a month, the filter (for RIC or CIC types) needs to be replaced, and approximately every month the Dome (RIC) should be changed. For BTE, besides cleaning, the tubing connecting the mould to the hearing aid needs replacement about every 6 months. Additionally, it is advisable to have the hearing aids serviced once a year for internal cleaning by an authorized lab technician.

This is purely the patient’s preference. The sound quality is not affected. However, rechargeable hearing aids tend to have a shorter lifespan, as the rechargeable battery will need replacement after six to seven years due to reduced performance.

In Cyprus, each audiological center represents specific hearing aid companies. So, it would be good to know which companies are considered top-tier (Phonak, Oticon) in order to approach the desirable one. Additionally, an audiology centre should have specialized and authorized personnel as well as an approved laboratory. It’s beneficial if the clinic is located close to you, as you will need to make several visits.

For several reasons:

A) It is the official representative of the two best companies, Phonak and Oticon.
B) It has its own fully advanced and approved laboratory with the necessary specifications within Cyprus.
C) Hearing Care Professionals undergo a high level of training, both within and outside Cyprus, several times a year.
D) It is the only center with a certified pediatric department from abroad.
E) It is the first audiological center in Cyprus, thus the staff’s experience is unmatched.
F) It has clinics throughout the island.

Initially, some questions regarding the patient’s medical history concerning their ears/hearing will be asked. Subsequently, we will examine the ears to determine if there are any obstructions such as wax or potential infection. If the ears are clear, then we proceed to the audiological examination, with the patient entering a specially designed room. There, we will fit them with a specialized headset and through an audiometer they will hear some sounds at various intensities and frequencies. At the same time, they will hold a button so that whenever they hear the sound, even slightly, they press the button. This process lasts approximately 10 minutes. The results, indicating the minimum hearing threshold of the patient at each frequency will be explained to the patient. Subsequently, the most suitable options for hearing aid intervention for possible hearing loss will be provided.

Of course. In fact, we recommend it.

Our job is to identify any hearing loss, explain the problem, and suggest appropriate solutions for management. If the patient doesn’t feel ready to wear hearing aids, there’s no issue. We’re here, and whenever they feel ready they can revisit us for a trial.

Research has shown that it can lead to dementia (see question 10). Additionally, since hearing originates from the brain (the ear simply sends the signal to the brain), it is understood that when someone is hard of hearing, part of their brain becomes inactive, and studies have shown a gradual decline in cognitive ability as well as depression.

Hearing loss primarily causes social issues. Therefore, someone who doesn’t hear normally gradually starts to isolate themselves, as certain activities won’t be as enjoyable (theater, cinema, meeting friends, etc.) because they can’t hear properly. Moreover, if the hearing loss is beyond mild, individuals in their family environment will start to be negatively affected even by the simplest things, such as TV volume, difficulty understanding a simple conversation, possibly being unable to communicate over the phone, etc.

There is no age discrimination. Hearing loss can occur even in children. The reason, however, that there is this perception of age discrimination, is because the ability to hear may diminish after 60-70-80 years. Hearing loss may occur in most people from the age of 40 onwards. Research has even shown that from the age of 65 and over, one in three suffer from hearing loss. It is therefore more common from one age onwards, but this does not mean that younger people may not need hearing aids.

Euthymiades Audiology Centers are located throughout Cyprus. You can call 77777337 and depending on your location an appointment will be arranged at the clinic nearest to you. You can also find out where we are located, online.

The examination and the audiogram are both free of charge.

As the whole process takes about 45 minutes, it is necessary to arrange an appointment.

Beneficiaries of state sponsorship are all pensioners over the age of 65 (maximum 350 euros per person every five years), whose pension does not exceed a certain amount. Also, those born with hearing loss under the age of 18 are entitled to 2,000 euros and those over 18, 1,500 euros for two hearing aids, every five years.

We are the official franchise for Phonak and Oticon. These 2 mega-companies are constantly coming out with the latest products and new technologies are constantly emerging, which of course we have at our disposal.

The most substantial improvement resulting from new technologies has to do with sound quality in difficult acoustic environments. This area of improvement will constantly evolve, keeping as their focus and goal the opportunity for the listener to have a natural hearing experience as much as possible.

Price, as with most technology products, is determined by quality. There are 5 different qualities/categories of hearing aids. Basic, Essential, Standard, Advance and Premium. Each category has the aim of covering each person’s social needs. Basic hearing aids, while they can offer good hearing, they are not equipped or heavily programmed to be able to cope with difficult conditions. When, for example, there is noise in the room or, two or three people are speaking, a Basic hearing aid does not have the ability to provide the user with understanding precisely, and with certainty what he is hearing. Therefore, the better the quality of a hearing aid, the clearer the sound which be offered – both in a quiet environment as well as difficult hearing situations , as they are enhanced with more programs. Hence the difference in cost.

Appearance is a matter of particular concern for manufacturing companies, as research has shown that this is the number one reason why some people who have hearing loss do not wear hearing aids. Nowadays, hearing devices are very discreet, with some being completely invisible. However, some hearing aids will be more noticeable than others, with varying levels of visibility.

Our audiology centers operate Monday – Friday
8:30 -13:00 noon and reopen at 14:30 -18:00 in the evening.
All our centers are closed on Wednesday afternoons.

The ear has a complex function. First, the pinna collects and amplifies the sound and sends it through the ear canal. There, the sound waves come into contact with the eardrum which pulsates/vibrates, and sets in motion the three small bones (Hammer or Malleus, Anvil or Incus, and Stirrup or Stapes), which in turn transfer the now electrical impulses, inside the ear, through the oval opening . The inner part of the ear is covered with fluid, the so-called lymph, which begins to move, thus activating the capillary cells. These cells convert the electrical impulses into electrical energy, which is transferred to the brain via the auditory nerve and thus we perceive what we hear.

Towards the end of 2022, Phonak manufactured the first waterproof hearing aid, which of course is also available in Cyprus, through the Efthymiadis Audiology Centers. Of course we should avoid contact with water with any hearing aids. However, this new innovation makes the devices particularly resistant to sweat, thus avoiding its penetration into the mechanism which can damage the handset. This particular innovation is suitable for people who engage in outdoor activities, such as cycling or mountain climbing, but also for people around the globe who live in areas with increased humidity and high temperatures, such as Cyprus.

I appreciate that everyone wants the best product especially when it comes to health issues. So, it’s important for one to know that they have chosen from the top manufacturing companies in the world. Of course, the best advisor for this question is the hearing aid specialist who is knowledgeable about the subject and can explain and suggest all the available options based on your hearing loss and your needs. As we all know, the needs of an elderly person are different from those of a young person.

It’s good to know which hearing aid companies each audiological center represents in order to proceed with the best possible choice. It is also convenient if the clinic he chooses is near his/her residency or place of employment as he may need to visit it at any time. Regarding the service provided by each audiological center, an important criterion would be the history and years of establishment, experience level of the staff, as well as the education level of the staff.

Adjusting to your new hearing aids could take three to four appointments until we arrive at the final settings that will provide the maximum hearing performance based on the choice of hearing aids. Through these meetings, the hearing aid professional will confirm that the user knows how to clean and how to use the devices correctly. A hearing review is needed once a year and of course new settings if changes in hearing loss occur. Once a year, it is also necessary to have a general service where the internal mechanism will be checked and cleaned. It is also important that the hearing centre has a local laboratory for repairs of any damage that may occur. These aids avoiding the inconvenience of sending the hearing aids abroad.

There are several reasons why someone might not be completely happy with their hearing. Usually, such cases occur when the right category of headphones is not chosen to meet his needs. The patient as well as the specialist are responsible for something like this. If, for example, someone who is socially active chooses basic hearing aids that do not have the features to offer quality hearing in difficult environments such as a restaurant, then they may not be completely satisfied. On the other hand, there may be times the audiologist or hearing aid specialist may not have done a correct hearing assessment, or correct choice of hearing aids, or correct settings or even a correct explanation of the data and expectations. That is why it is very important for the patient to choose the appropriate audiology center, which can offer the best possible result. Something that we at Euthymiades can guarantee.

Our hearing cannot be restored to normal. Unfortunately hearing loss means permanent damage. Hearing aids enhance hearing, specifically so that the hearing aid user can enjoy normal hearing. Thus, they do not restore hearing to normal levels, but offer normal hearing. Studies have shown that hearing aids can slow down further potential of hearing loss. And that’s because hearing aids allow the auditory nerve to keep active, thus not becoming dormant.

​​Each case is different and therefore not everyone is subject to the same variables. For example, someone may be more sensitive to loud sounds and be disturbed. Someone else may be more familiar with these conditions. With the right hearing aids the volume at each frequency will be increased up to the allowable limit, which of course can be adjusted according to the hearing loss and the patient’s preferences.

Ideally, we should all be having our hearing tested at least once a year. This is something we offer free of charge here at Euthymiades Hearing Centers.

Some of the reasons are:

A) Exposure to sudden and intense noise (even a firecracker when you least expect it).
B) Daily exposure to a noisy work environment.
C) Heredity.
D) Old age does not come without some extra issues.
E) Medications for certain health issues/ Antibiotics with ototoxic substances may cause hearing loss, etc.

The use of earplugs is a preventive measure, where someone can put them on when they know in advance that they will be exposed to loud noise (e.g. a hunter). The best prevention, however, is to avoid activities with intense noise. Many children today spend several hours on their computers wearing a gaming headset, or listening to music through headphones, which can cause damage if they are not used in a safely.

Initially there are several conditions such as meningitis, jaundice, diabetes, high blood pressure, mumps, even chicken pox can cause irreversible hearing damage. And this is because the above diseases are capable of damaging the inner part of the ear, something that as we know cannot be cured. There are also infections such as measles that may affect the proper functioning of the inner ear. In addition, various medications that are administered to treat a health problem are capable of causing damage to the cochlea or the auditory nerve. Especially the drugs that contain ototoxic substances, many of which are given too many people – for example aspirin, ibuprofen, some antibiotics, while of course more powerful treatments like chemotherapy can unfortunately damage the structure of the ear causing hearing loss. In general, there are several health issues that can affect the normal functioning of our ear, and that is why we recommend that you visit the Euthymiades Audiology Centres for a hearing test at least once a year.