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[excelaudiology]

Rechargeable Hearing Aids in Michigan

By Smita Singh, M.S., CCC-A — Licensed Audiologist, Royal Oak, MI ·

Rechargeable hearing aids are devices powered by a built-in lithium-ion battery that you charge overnight instead of swapping out tiny disposable batteries. In Michigan, a prescription pair fitted by an audiologist usually runs $2300 to $5,300, lasts about 20 to 30 hours per charge, and comes with a state-required 30-day trial so you can test it risk-free.

If you’ve ever dropped a hearing aid battery on the kitchen floor and spent ten minutes hunting for it, you already understand why so many of my patients here in Royal Oak ask about rechargeable models. The tiny batteries are fiddly, they die at the worst moments and for anyone with arthritis or shaky hands, changing them every few days is more trouble than it’s worth.

So, let’s talk through what rechargeable hearing aids actually are, what they cost in Michigan, and whether they’re the right call for you — without the sales pitch.

What are rechargeable hearing aids, exactly?

Instead of using a removable battery, these hearing aids have a sealed lithium-ion battery inside — the same kind of battery in your phone or laptop. At the end of the day, you drop them into a charging case, plug it in, and go to bed. By morning they’re ready. No little doors to pry open, nothing to buy at the pharmacy.

Nearly every major brand we fit at Excel Audiology now offers a rechargeable option. Signia actually launched the world’s first ready-to-wear rechargeable hearing aid, and Phonak, Oticon, and Resound all have strong rechargeable lineups too.

How long do they last on a charge?

Most rechargeable hearing aids run 20 to 30 hours on a single full charge, which comfortably covers a normal day of wear. A full charge takes about three to four hours, and a quick 30-minute top-up can get you several extra hours when you’re in a hurry.

One thing to keep in mind: streaming a lot of phone calls, music, or TV audio through Bluetooth uses more power. If you’re someone who’s constantly streaming, you’ll land on the lower end of that battery range. For most people, though, one overnight charge is plenty. The battery itself typically lasts the full life of the device — usually four to five years — before it’s time to think about replacing the hearing aids.

What do rechargeable hearing aids cost in Michigan?

Here’s where people want a straight answer. A pair of prescription rechargeable hearing aids fitted by a Michigan audiologist generally costs between $2,300 and $5,300, with premium technology going higher. That price isn’t just the device — it includes your hearing evaluation, professional fitting, programming, and follow-up care, which is what actually makes them work well for your specific hearing loss.

You’ll also see cheaper over-the-counter rechargeable aids online for $300 to $1,000. They can help with mild hearing loss, but they aren’t custom-fit or fine-tuned to your ears like the prescription hearing aids.

Does insurance or Medicare help?

Unfortunately, straight Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the fitting exam — that catches a lot of seniors off guard. Some Medicare Advantage and private plans offer partial coverage, so it’s always worth checking. At our Royal Oak office, we verify your benefits before your Hearing Aid Evaluation appointment and offer payment plans, because nobody should put off better hearing over sticker shock.

The Michigan trial period law that protects you

Here’s something reassuring: Michigan law requires a minimum 30-day trial period on hearing aid purchases, with a refund if you’re not satisfied (this is enforced by the state’s licensing department, LARA). That means if you realize that you are not ready for hearing aids or do not like them, you are not stuck with them.

So, are they worth it?

For most of my patients, yes. You skip the battery hassle entirely, they’re easier to handle, and the long-term battery savings add up. The main trade-off is that if your battery ever runs out mid-day, you can’t just pop in a fresh one — you need the charger. For the vast majority of people, that’s a small price for convenience.

The best way to know if rechargeable hearing aids fit your lifestyle is a proper hearing evaluation. If you’re in Royal Oak or anywhere in Metro Detroit, I’d be glad to walk you through your options in person.

Call Excel Audiology @Gupta ENT Center at 248–549–9035 to schedule your hearing evaluation in Royal Oak, MI.

[excelaudiology]

Communication Strategies for the Hearing Impaired

Hearing loss affects more than 430 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Despite these numbers, most people have never been taught how to adjust the way they communicate.

The result? Frustration on both sides. The person with hearing loss feels left out. The person speaking feels helpless.

The good news is that effective communication with someone who is hard of hearing does not require any special training. It requires awareness and a few small habits. This guide walks you through 10 evidence-based communication strategies used by audiologists and hearing health professionals every day.

10 Communication Strategies for Talking to Someone with Hearing Loss

Get Their Attention Before You Start Speaking

This one sounds obvious, but it is overlooked constantly. Starting a conversation before a person with hearing loss knows you are talking to them means they miss the first few words — and sometimes the entire context of what you are saying.

Before you speak, say their name, make eye contact, or gently tap their shoulder. Give them a moment to turn and focus. This small step eliminates one of the most common communication breakdowns.

Always Face the Person Directly

Speaking face-to-face in good lighting is one of the most powerful tools you have. People with hearing loss — even those who have never formally learned lip reading — use visual cues from your mouth, face, and expressions to fill in what their ears miss.

This means: no talking from another room, no speaking while your back is turned, and no covering your mouth while you speak. Sit or stand at their level. Make sure light is on your face, not behind you.

Speak Clearly at a Normal Pace and Volume

Many people instinctively speak louder when talking to someone with hearing loss. This is actually counterproductive. Shouting distorts the shape of words and can come across as rude or condescending.

Instead, slow down slightly, articulate your words clearly, and keep your volume normal to moderately raised. Think of it as speaking the way you would during a presentation — deliberate, but natural.

Use Simple Words and Short Sentences

Long, complex sentences are harder to follow for anyone who is working to decode what they hear. Use short, direct sentences. Avoid stringing multiple ideas together with “and,” “but,” and “so.”

If you are not understood, rephrase rather than repeat. Saying the same words again — even louder — rarely helps. A fresh way of expressing the same idea often does.

Reduce Background Noise Wherever Possible

Background noise is the single biggest barrier to communication for people with hearing loss. A television in the background, music playing, or a crowded restaurant can make a conversation nearly impossible even for someone wearing hearing aids.

Turn off the TV or radio. Move to a quieter space if you can. Choose seating away from speakers or kitchen noise when eating out. These environmental adjustments cost nothing and make a significant difference.

Support Your Words with Written Information

Writing down key information — an address, a name, a date, a medication dosage — removes any risk of misunderstanding. You do not have to write entire conversations. Just anchor the important details on paper or on your phone screen.

Visual supports like diagrams, maps, or printed instructions are especially helpful in medical or professional settings where accuracy matters.

Check That Your Message Was Understood

Do not assume silence means understanding. After sharing important information, ask a gentle follow-up: “Does that make sense?” or “Would you like me to go over any part of that again?”

If there was a misunderstanding, rephrase or add context. This is not about talking down to someone — it is about closing the loop and making sure communication actually happened.

Be Patient and Allow Extra Time

Conversations with someone who has hearing loss may take a little longer. That is completely normal. Allow time for them to process what was said and to form their response. Do not finish their sentences, rush them, or change the subject before they have had a chance to respond.

Patience is not just a courtesy — it is a communication strategy. When people feel rushed, they are more likely to guess rather than ask for clarification, which leads to bigger misunderstandings later.

Show Respect and Empathy

Hearing loss is a medical condition, not a personality trait. Treat the person in front of you — not their hearing loss. Avoid saying things like “never mind, it’s not important” when they ask you to repeat yourself. It is always important if they ask.

Be natural. Be encouraging. Do not speak about them to others in the room as if they are not there. Dignity and respect are the foundation of every good communication exchange.

Ask What Works Best for Them

 Every person with hearing loss is different. Some rely heavily on lip reading. Others find written notes most useful. Some use hearing aids or cochlear implants that work well in quiet settings but struggle in noise. Some prefer phone calls; others prefer text messages.

The single most helpful thing you can do is ask: “What helps you communicate best?” Then listen — and adjust accordingly.

Take the Next Step with Excel Audiology

At Excel Audiology, we believe that better hearing leads to better living. Whether you are someone living with hearing loss or a family member who wants to support a loved one, our experienced audiologist is here to help.

We offer comprehensive hearing evaluations, the latest hearing aid fitting and counseling services, and ongoing support for all stages of hearing health — from early detection to long-term management.

Why choose Excel Audiology?

Our audiologist does not just fit hearing devices — she guides you through every aspect of communication, from choosing the right technology to teaching communication strategies tailored to your lifestyle. We work with children, adults, and seniors, and we understand that no two patients are the same.

If you or someone you love is struggling with hearing loss, do not wait. The earlier hearing loss is identified and managed, the better the outcomes for communication, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

Call 248–549–9035 to schedule complete evaluation towards better hearing.

Because every conversation deserves to be heard.

[excelaudiology]

Hidden hearing loss : Why You Struggle to Hear?

Hidden hearing loss and what we can do about it

Hidden hearing loss — 

clinically known as cochlear synaptopathy — is damage to the nerve synapses that carry sound signals from your inner ear to your brain. You can pass a hearing test with flying colors and still struggle every single day to follow a conversation in a noisy room. Researchers now believe it affects tens of millions of people, and most of them have no idea.

Every May, Better Speech and Hearing Month gives us a chance to talk about the stuff most people are quietly dealing with but never bring up — and this year, the topic that stopped us in our tracks here at Excel Audiology in Royal Oak is something the research community has only started to fully understand in the last decade. You probably think of hearing loss as something you notice gradually — voices getting muddier, the TV volume creeping up, people starting to sound like they’re mumbling. But there’s a version of hearing loss that flies completely under the radar of conventional testing, and it might already be happening to you right now.

What exactly is happening inside your ear when you have hidden hearing loss?

Inside your cochlea — the snail-shaped structure in your inner ear — there are thousands of tiny hair cells that pick-up sound vibrations. A standard hearing test checks whether those hair cells are alive and working. Hidden hearing loss is different: the hair cells are fine, but the synapses connecting them to the auditory nerve start to silently degrade. Think of it like a telephone with a perfect microphone and a fraying wire — the input is there, but the signal doesn’t make it to the other end cleanly.

(This is different from Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) where the difficulty lies in processing the auditory signal in the brain.)

This is why so many people feel genuinely confused when they get a “normal” hearing test result but still feel like they’re constantly asking people to repeat themselves, especially in noisy places like restaurants or family gatherings. Their audiogram is measuring the wrong thing. The problem isn’t detecting a tone in a quiet room — it’s the brain struggling to decode fast, complex speech in noisy environments. That’s a neural problem, not a hair-cell problem, and it requires a different kind of evaluation to catch it.

Who is most at risk for Hidden Hearing loss — and why does it matter for your brain?

Anyone with a history of noise exposure is at elevated risk — concerts, sporting events, earbuds at high volume, noisy workplaces, even years of recreational gunfire without protection. But here’s the part that should genuinely alarm people: researchers now believe that synaptopathy is a major mechanism behind the well-established link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. When the auditory nerve sends a degraded signal, the brain has to work harder to fill in the gaps — and that extra cognitive load, sustained over years, is increasingly associated with accelerated memory loss and a measurably higher risk of dementia.

Published neuroscience shows why getting a proper evaluation matters far more than most people realize. The ear is not just a sound-collecting device. It’s a direct pipeline into one of the most complex systems in the human body, and what happens in the cochlea doesn’t stay in the cochlea. Untreated hearing loss has been connected to reduced lifespan, higher rates of social isolation, depression, and now — through the synaptopathy pathway — an earlier cognitive trajectory than your peers who addressed their hearing health proactively.

What can actually be done about hidden hearing loss right now?

The most important first step is getting a comprehensive audiologic evaluation — not just the quick tone test. A full evaluation can include speech-in-noise testing, which mimics real-world conditions and reveals the gap between what your ears detect and what your brain successfully processes.

In addition, a thorough review of symptoms and patient history would also help in arriving at the diagnosis of Hidden Hearing Loss.

Modern Bluetooth-enabled, rechargeable hearing aids with advanced noise-processing algorithms can dramatically reduce the brain’s processing burden by cleaning up and amplifying sound before it reaches damaged pathways when they identify hidden hearing loss.

>Listening therapy and auditory training, when utilized in addition to hearing aids, may allow your brain to adapt and enhance its sound-processing capabilities.

The other piece of the puzzle is protection going forward. Custom earplugs aren’t just for construction workers — musicians, concert-goers, motorcyclists, and anyone regularly exposed to noise above 85 dB can meaningfully slow the progression of synaptopathy by wearing them consistently. Think of it the same way you’d think about sunscreen for your skin: you can’t undo the damage that’s already there, but you absolutely can stop adding to it.

For questions regarding testing, custom noise plugs or hearing aids call us at 248–546–9035

[excelaudiology]

Trusted Audiologist in Royal Oak, MI — Expert Hearing Care You Can Count On

If you’ve been struggling to follow conversations, turning up the TV volume more than usual, or noticing a persistent ringing in your ears — you’re not alone. According to the National Institute on Deafness, approximately 1 in 8 Americans ages 12 and older has hearing loss in both ears. The good news? With the right audiologist in Royal Oak, MI, you can get answers — and your life back.

Why choose Excel Audiology as your audiologist in Royal Oak, MI?

Not all hearing clinics are created equal. At Excel Audiology, every patient receives personalized, one-on-one attention from a credentialed audiologist — not a hearing aid salesperson. Here’s what sets us apart:

Expert credentials: Smita Singh holds a Master of Science in Audiology from Wayne State University and a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-A) from ASHA.

State-of-the-art technology: We use advanced diagnostic equipment to deliver accurate, reliable hearing assessments.

Tailored solutions: Every hearing aid recommendation is customized to your hearing profile, lifestyle, and budget.

Brands you trust: We partner with leading manufacturers — Signia, Phonak, ReSound, and Oticon.

Ongoing support: Our care doesn’t stop at the fitting. We offer follow-up adjustments, maintenance, and long-term hearing health support.

Our hearing services in Royal Oak, MI

Excel Audiology offers a full spectrum of audiology services under one roof. Whether you’re experiencing your first signs of hearing loss or need fine-tuning on existing hearing aids, we have a solution for you.

1. Diagnostic audiologic evaluations

Our comprehensive hearing tests assess your ability to detect sounds across different frequencies and volumes. Using audiometric equipment, we identify the type, degree, and configuration of your hearing loss — giving you a clear roadmap for treatment.

2. Hearing aid selection & fitting

We guide you through choosing the right hearing aid from today’s most advanced models — including rechargeable, Bluetooth-enabled, and virtually invisible options. Every device is programmed to your specific audiogram for maximum clarity in real-world listening environments.

3. Tinnitus evaluation & treatment

That ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears is called tinnitus. We offer specialized tinnitus evaluations and evidence-based management strategies to reduce its impact on your daily life.

4. Custom ear products

From custom hearing aids and earplugs to musician monitors and swim molds, we craft ear products designed specifically for your ear canal — offering the best fit, comfort, and protection.

5. Hearing aid maintenance & repair

Regular care extends the life of your hearing devices. We offer professional cleaning, tuning, and repair services to keep your hearing aids performing at their best — regardless of brand.

Meet your audiologist — Smita Singh, M.S. CCC-A

Smita Singh has been transforming the lives of patients with hearing loss since 2002. After earning her Master of Science in Audiology from Wayne State University and completing her Clinical Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, she built a reputation as one of the most trusted audiologists in Royal Oak, MI.

Smita specializes in fitting the latest hearing technology and takes pride in educating patients about their hearing health — because informed patients make better decisions. Whether you’re 8 or 88, she brings the same level of care, patience, and expertise to every appointment.

Do you have hearing loss? 5 signs you shouldn’t ignore

Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it easy to dismiss early warning signs. Ask yourself:

Are you frequently asking people to repeat themselves?

Do you struggle to follow conversations in noisy restaurants or meetings?

Do family members complain that your TV volume is too loud?

Do you have difficulty understanding phone conversations?

Are you experiencing ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your ears?

If you answered yes to any of the above, it’s time to see an audiologist in Royal Oak, MI. Early intervention leads to significantly better outcomes — both for your hearing and your overall health.

Hearing aids today — smarter, smaller, and more powerful than ever

Gone are the days of bulky, whistling hearing aids. Modern devices are discreet, intelligent, and packed with features that adapt to your life:

Rechargeable batteries — no more tiny batteries to fumble with.

Bluetooth streaming — stream calls, music, and TV audio directly to your ears.

AI-powered noise reduction — hear clearly even in challenging, noisy environments.

Binaural processing — left and right aids communicate in real time for natural sound.

Smartphone apps — adjust settings discreetly from your phone.

Serving Royal Oak and the greater Detroit metro area

· Excel Audiology is conveniently located at 32121 Woodward Ave, Suite 203, Royal Oak, MI 48073 — easily accessible from Birmingham, Troy, Ferndale, Berkley, Clawson, and surrounding Oakland County communities. Walk-ins are welcome, and same-week appointments are often available.

· Don’t wait to address your hearing health. The sooner you act, the better your results. Call 248–549–9035 or visit excelaudiology.com to schedule your comprehensive hearing evaluation with Smita Singh, M.S. CCC-A — Royal Oak’s trusted audiologist.