Ideal hearing aids!
I just got my third set of hearings from Dr. Carroll a couple of months ago. (The others had been superseded by new technology over the years.) These latest ones are just about perfect. I can understand sermons in our church again, for the first time since the audio system was fiddled with a couple of years ago. I can contribute to conversations in restaurants with a high noise level again, too. Dr. Carroll takes a personal interest in my well-being and I've come to have complete confidence in her.
Enthusiastic Endorsement
Dr. Carroll has helped me far more than any of the other audiologists I have seen in the past. She spends more time with me to make sure that my devices are working as well as possible for me. She also provides communication training using the LACE software system. She clearly cares a great deal for her patients, and I appreciate it very much.
Right Solution
The hearing aids I purchased at another location were just too uncomfortable to wear so it seemed I'd made a mistake in the purchase. After 2 years I decided to try another audiologist, Dr. Carroll. The difference in approach and attentiveness to the problems I was having has now made a rather expensive purchase worthwhile and my family life much less strained. Dr. Carroll is a professional and cares about the success of her patients. Not only has the comfort issue been resolved but Dr. Carroll has given me confidence in having an understanding and professional source of help in the future.
The birds are really loud!
I recently met with Anita for a hearing test which resulted in a first-time set of hearing aids. Throughout, she has been professional, personal, and supportive. After just a week, my hearing aids were simply a part of me. It's spring, and I enjoy riding with my convertible top down; I can hear birds singing and was surprised by the clicking of the turn signal above the engine noise. The sound of music is richer, and I no longer set the TV volume at a foundation-shaking level. The hearing aids I purchased are blue-tooth connected to my iPhone. This means I can set different hearing modalities quickly and phone conversations come right into my ears -- so well that I've stopped using my landline. My hearing aids are small, and people don't notice them unless I point them out. Very easy to use and get used to.
Wonderful Service; Now I Can Hear!
I visited Anita for a routine hearing exam and check of my hearing aid. The exam was thorough. In checking my six year old hearing aid, Anita discovered that it was not working at all. No wonder I haven't been able to hear! Anita discussed the pros and cons of having my hearing aid repaired vs. buying a new hearing aid. She reviewed the many technological updates that are now available in hearing aids. She listened to me and addressed every one of my concerns. She provided literature on new hearing aids for me to review at home. She also described her process for fitting hearing aids. Her process is much more thorough than what I have experienced with other providers in the past. I have decided to purchase a new hearing aid. I look forward to trying the new technology and working with Anita.<br />
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Update: Anita helped me select a new hearing aid, and I have been using it for about a month for my unilateral hearing loss. This new hearing aid is much better than my six year old hearing aid, and is also much better than the Lyric internal hearing aid I used for a short time. I had never really tolerated either the old hearing aid or the Lyric. The sound never seemed natural; I hated the feedback I experienced on a windy day and at the theater. In fact, I seldom used the old hearing aid and stopped using the Lyric after around three months. I really felt that hearing aids were a waste of money and I would never find one that worked for me. <br />
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I was so wrong! My new hearing aid sounds natural and I can adjust it (using my iphone) to fit any type of listening environment. Although the adjustments I can make are almost limitless, so far I have found that the "normal" and "restaurant" settings have been all I've needed. I discussed with Anita how much better this new hearing aid is, and she said that technology has advanced a great deal in the last six or so years. I would add that the adjustments made by Anita have also been part of why my new hearing aid is working so well. <br />
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I would also add that Anita is the first audiologist I?ve been to who explained everything about my hearing loss and my hearing aid so thoroughly. I don?t feel like I have to struggle with anything; I understand what is going on. This has made the whole experience much more pleasant for me.<br />
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I would recommend that anyone who is experiencing a hearing loss try out the new technology. You might be pleasantly surprised. <br />
Wonderful Audiologist Who Actually Listens!
I visited Anita yesterday for an annual hearing evaluation and adjustment and check of my hearing aid. Her evaluation of my hearing was thorough, and, while checking my six year old hearing aid, she discovered that it was not functioning. No wonder I couldn't hear! We discussed the alternatives, and suggested that I think about whether I wanted to have my hearing aid repaired by the manufacturer or purchase a new hearing aid. Anita reviewed the pros and cons of repair of old vs. purchase of new. She reviewed the updates that are now available in the new generation of hearing aids, and I took literature home to read. After thinking about what will work best for me, I decided to purchase a new hearing aid. Anita reviewed the steps she takes when she fits a new hearing aid. This process sounds much more careful and thorough than the fitting process I have had in the past. I look forward to ordering and trying my new hearing aid and working with Anita.
Absolutely fantastic service
What an amazing change in my life to once again hear most of the world around me, birds, crickets, frogs in the pond, all the voices in a business meeting! I am full of joy with the way these hearing aids easily fit on my ear, are not at all noticeable either by another person or by myself even after a whole day of wearing them. The audiologist who taught me how to become a "hearer" again was a true teacher, kind, patient, gentle wise and understanding about me at my 88 years of age how this new device might be difficult for me. But she was extremely patient, a gifted teacher for sure.
I can finally hear my microwave beep!!!
Anita has been providing me with hearing solutions since 2009. Prior to that my previous Audiologist had always insisted that I needed molded "in the ear" aids. I hated them. Anita fitted me with my first Widex BTE aids and they not only helped my hearing, but resolved my complaints about comfort etc. As my hearing continued to deteriorate, she gave me annual hearing tests and continued to adjust my volume and programming as needed. Finally my Widex aids were just not providing enough volume for me anymore and I knew it was time to upgrade to more powerful aids. Anita recommended the new Phonak Onida aids with bluetooth technology. I have had them about a month now have just been blown away by how great they are. I can hear sounds that I have not been able to hear in years. Anita gave me several programs that drastically reduce background noise and only amplify sounds coming from the direction I am facing. For years I missed so much of the conversation at parties and dinners and movies that I just quit going. I always had to have caption on the TV and my wife hates it. But these new aids have solved a lot of these problems for me. I no longer have trouble hearing spoken words in a group setting and can watch most TV programs without caption. Yes, I still have some challenges, but these Phonak aids are absolutely incredible. Well worth the price. Thanks to Anita and Phonak, I can hear again!!<br />
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Musicians Earplugs - Preserving My Hearing
The musicians earplugs are comfortable after a short period of getting used to having something in your ear. They were a bit hard to install the first few times but it did not take long for me to get good at that. Sometimes when they are really dry it is hard to get them in. The filters work very well and don't cut out too much of the highs. It is not like not having earplugs, it is harder to hear people talking to you, the music is quieter. But I think that is a fair trade-off for preserving my hearing. I do have some hearing loss from playing in bands without earplugs. I do not want to lose any more if I can help it. They are definitely much better than foam because you don't lose all of the higher frequencies. I prefer wearing them in playing situations because there are no sudden and painful surprises when the drummer cracks his snare really hard. They love doing that all of a sudden.
Just DO IT!
I have recently upgraded my hearing aids to Phonak. These have helped me a great deal with communication at work and at home. I also like to watch and identify birds and the new hearing aids are awesome ! I wear them all the time. It took a few weeks to get used to soft sounds I didn't usually hear (even with the older model of hearing aids) and adjust to what sounds needed attention. I also initially balked at the cost, BUT THE COST VS LIFE STYLE BENEFIT IS WELL WORTH IT! They are lightweight and unless I tell someone, they do not know I have them on.
Finally, I Can Hear AND Understand!!
I have had moderate to severe hearing loss for years. I tried hearing aids many years ago but never wore them for any extended period of time. Technology has improved, and my embarrassment for having to ask others to repeat, repeat, repeat has increased. <br />
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I am so PROUD to wear hearing aids now. I brag about it to those who have had to repeat, repeat, repeat to me. <br />
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Not only can I hear better, but also I can understand so much better. For the first several weeks, I was so amazed at what my hearing aids were doing for me. They greatly surpassed my expectations. I can hear chatter on sports fields that I never heard. I can follow speakers in noisy restaurants. I can understand sermons without relying on lip reading (and that wasn't always effective). I can watch TV without relying totally on capions.<br />
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I actually went to four different places before deciding to get my hearing aids from Anita Carroll. I immediately felt comfortable with her. Her hearing test was more extensive than the others. Anita was so patient with me and so responsive to my individual needs. I am SO appreciative. <br />
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My advice to you: MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT NOW!! I wish someone had convinced me of that several years ago.
New Lease on Life!
Addressing my hearing loss has added years to my life, heightening my daily enjoyment. Hearing Solutions in the Triangle has given me a new lease on both my socializing and learning. I can heartily recommend this personal and professional service!
Musicians plugs
I use the musicians plugs for riding my Motorcycle. I can finally hear everything around me, including my blue tooth headset in my helmet with the custom musicians plugs. I suggest if you are looking for hearing protection while riding to get these. I barely notice I'm wearing them unlike foam plugs and my ears are thankful.
Great for DJing!
This review is extremely late, as I've had the earplugs for over a year now, but they are amazing! I am a full time professional DJ and i use the Etymotic earplugs at all my events. They are comfortable, block out excessive volumes, and the best part is that I can still hear my mix (FOH, Monitor, & Headphones) perfectly! Dr. Carroll was great to work with as well, I highly recommend her services and product!
I like my hearing aids, but LACE is amazing!
I'd been wearing my Phonaks for a couple of months when I started using the LACE (Listening And Communication Enhancement) program that Anita had given me. I was skeptical that it would be of benefit but found the exercises challenging, so I persisted.
After several sessions of the "Competing Speaker" exercise, I discovered that if I looked at the silhouette of the man, woman or child on the screen, I could understand the target voice much better. This surprised me, as nothing had changed as far as my hearing aids or ears were concerned; it was simply my focused attention that made the difference.
The other discovery which really surprised me was in the "Rapid Speech" exercises. Although I had chosen the subject of the conversation from the list provided, there were many times when I did not understand and could not even guess what had been said. However, after reading what was said and replaying the sentence, i could hear clearly and understand it perfectly what, moments before, was unintelligible.
All I can say is, hearing has a lot to do with brain function as well as ear function!
Although I didn't expect that I had performed very well on the course of exercises, I was happily surprised to learn from Anita on my follow-up visit that I had improved greatly is some areas during the 20 day LACE program. Encouraged, I have begun to continue with further LACE sessions.
Hearing Aid Predicament
We relocated to the triangle area from New Jersey in June of 2012 and unfortunately I lost my hearing aide right before Christmas. To make matters worst my replacement warranty on the hearing aid ran out in the beginning of December. Frantically looking for help, I was fortunate to find Anita Carroll of Hearing Solutions in the Triangle.
Talking with Anita on the phone, I explained to her my predicament. She made a special effort to see me the next day. During the appointment she called the hearing aid manufacturer and was able to extend the warranty to cover this loss, what a relief. Also at this appointment Anita administered a very comprehensive hearing test and explained in detail what my hearing loss was all about.
One week later my replacement hearing aide was ready. As part of the adjustment process Anita demonstrated to my wife how my hearing loss would sound to a normally hearing person. This demonstration was very eye opening as well as emotional for her. It really brings home the fact that hearing loss not only affects the person with the loss but also everyone around them.
We highly recommend Anita. She is very skillful, knowledgeable, caring and professional. I dare to say that as a direct result of Anita's expertise my hearing is now better then it was when I originally received the hearing aide in New Jersey.
These Earplugs are Great!
The musicians earplugs are working out great! They are extremely comfortable to wear and did a great job of taking the volume down. I tried them in a percussion ensemble environment today and I could hear every other person as well as myself - something that my old earplugs would never let me do.
Now I Can Hear!
I was recently seen by Anita Carroll, Doctor of Audiology. I wanted to see what hearing loss I had. She tested each ear many ways with many sounds. She printed out a graph and told me all about my hearing loss in each ear. She fitted me with a set of hearing aids and I began hearing things I had not heard in years. I went to Church to worship and teach and could hear and understand clearly but was a bit too loud. Dr. Carroll hooked up to her computer and analyzed them and adjusted them down. Now I am adjusted to them and hearing well every day.
I am so pleased with my new hearing aids and the service that I received from Anita Carroll and I highly recommend her!
A Must-Have for Marching Musicians
Those of us who have performed in a marching band understand the extreme volumes that our ears endure (especially in drum corps, brass musicians, or percussionists). What not everyone realizes is how damaging this can be to our ears. I have performed with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and currently work with several marching bands and an indoor drumline, and I definitely wish I had been using my custom Musicians Earplugs throughout my career.
I started wearing the Earplugs about a month ago (Dec. '12) when the indoor drumline began rehearsing (in a gymnasium, no less). At the very first rehearsal, I was amazed at the quality of sound I could still hear while at the same time having the harshness of a loud battery percussion section taken out of the equation. I am now able to hear in much greater detail without having to worry about the damaging effects to my ears. And at the end of rehearsal, two hours later, I had almost forgotten I was wearing them because they were so comfortable (customized modeled earplugs are the way to go).
Dr. Carroll at Hearing Solutions in the Triangle was a great source of information about my hearing and the Musicians Earplugs. The process was quick, easy, educational, and personal. Dr. Carroll really seemed to care that musicians take a greater interest in their hearing. I strongly recommend anyone who has any question about their hearing make an appointment with Dr. Carroll and to ask about Musicians Earplugs. You won't be disappointed, and your ears will thank you!
Anita's Skill and Experience Made a Difference
I have had a hearing deficiency all my life. I have been to several audiologists, have been fitted with hearing aids, and have been disappointed with the results. I struggled for years to understand conversations and couldn't even hear the birds sing. Anita fitted me with dual hearing aids and the results were wonderful. As soon as I left her office I could hear birds singing and sounds that I had never heard clearly before. I knew that I could not be without my hearing aids. Anita's knowledge, skill, continued service, and TLC has helped to make my day to day life so much better. Thank you so much Anita.