Making Sense of Complex Brand Choices
Expert Guidance for Hearing Aid Brands
Walking into the world of hearing aid brands can feel overwhelming.
With dozens of manufacturers, hundreds of models, and constantly evolving technology, making the right choice seems impossible. That’s where we at Longhorn Hearing step in.
Dr. Sandy Schick Velasquez, Au.D., CCC-A, brings over four decades of experience fitting various hearing aid brands to help Lockhart residents find their perfect match.
Expert Hearing Care by Longhorn Hearing
The Longhorn Hearing Difference
At Longhorn Hearing, we combine personalized solutions, expert care, cutting-edge technology, and comprehensive ongoing support to create an unparalleled hearing healthcare experience in Lockhart. With over 35 years of expertise and a commitment to treating patients like family, Dr. Sandy Schick Velasquez and our caring team help you reconnect with the sounds that matter most.
Personalized Solutions
Tailored hearing solutions to meet your unique needs and lifestyle, with custom treatment plans designed around your specific hearing levels and daily activities.
Expert Audiologist
Dr. Sandy Schick Velasquez, Au.D., CCC-A, brings over 35 years of experience in hearing healthcare with Board Certification by the American Board of Audiology.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Advanced hearing aids from top manufacturers including Phonak, ReSound, Signia, and Starkey, featuring AI technology that optimizes sound for different environments.
Comprehensive Support
Lifetime care including professional fitting, counseling, training, regular cleanings, adjustments, repairs, and ongoing follow-up appointments to ensure optimal performance.
Understanding Your Options Among Leading Manufacturers
At Longhorn Hearing, we work with industry-leading manufacturers to ensure our patients have access to the best hearing technology.
Each brand we carry brings unique strengths and innovations to address different hearing needs and lifestyle preferences.
Phonak – This Swiss manufacturer has pioneered hearing solutions since 1947, developing the first Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid and the innovative Lyric extended-wear device. Phonak devices offer advanced rechargeability and direct connectivity and come in styles ranging from virtually invisible to discreet behind-the-ear models, all while prioritizing comfort and technological excellence.
Starkey – As the only American-owned major hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey offers cutting-edge AI technology through its Edge AI and Genesis AI lines. Its devices feature the industry’s first Deep Neural Network processor that mimics the human brain, offering 51-hour battery life, waterproof construction, and comprehensive health tracking through the My Starkey app.
Signia – With roots dating back to 1913, this German-engineered brand emphasizes speech enhancement technology through its Integrated Xperience platform. Signia’s RealTime Conversation Enhancement processes 192,000 data points per second to help you follow multiple speakers even as they move. It is available in sleek designs, including the earbud-style Active IX and the ultra-slim Styletto IX.
Matching Brands to Individual Hearing Profiles
Each person’s hearing loss is as unique as their fingerprint, and different hearing aid brands more effectively address various hearing challenges.
Some manufacturers specialize in high-frequency loss common with age-related hearing changes, while others excel at managing tinnitus symptoms that many experience alongside hearing loss.
Our expertise at Longhorn Hearing involves understanding these nuances.
Dr. Velasquez and our team use comprehensive testing and lifestyle assessments to identify which brands offer the specific features you need.
These might include advanced speech recognition for busy restaurant environments on Lockhart Square or connectivity features for those who rely on phone calls with family across Texas.
Professional fitting goes beyond simply choosing a brand.
It involves programming the devices specifically for your hearing loss pattern, ensuring a comfortable physical fit, and teaching you how to maximize the technology’s benefits.
This personalized approach makes the difference between hearing aids that sit in a drawer and ones that transform daily life.
Hearing Services
Hearing Tests
Comprehensive hearing assessments to identify and address your unique needs.
Hearing Aid Fitting
Personalized fittings and adjustments for optimal hearing aid performance.
Tinnitus Treatment
Specialized solutions to reduce ringing in the ears and restore peace.
Hearing Aid Repairs
Expert hearing aid repair services to restore clarity and enhance device longevity.
Earwax Management
Gentle and thorough ear cleaning services to remove buildup and improve hearing.
Take Control of Your Hearing Health Today
Schedule a consultation with Longhorn Hearing for personalized care. Whether you need a hearing evaluation, custom-fitted aids, or tinnitus solutions, we’ll help you reconnect with the sounds that matter most in your life. Call (512) 398-4000 to begin your hearing loss journey with Caldwell County’s award-winning audiologist.
Hear From Our Customers
What Our Customers Say
Our patients’ experiences speak volumes about our commitment to excellence, with many reporting improved relationships, renewed confidence, and a transformative impact on their daily lives through better hearing.
Your Questions Answered
Frequently asked questions
We understand you may have questions about hearing health, treatment options, and what to expect from your visit. Our team has compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you feel informed and confident about your hearing care journey with Longhorn Hearing.
Longhorn Hearing works with industry-leading manufacturers including Phonak (Swiss), ReSound (Danish), Starkey (American), and Signia (German). Each brand offers unique strengths - from Phonak's Bluetooth innovations to Starkey's AI technology with 51-hour battery life. Our audiologists help you select the brand that best matches your hearing profile and lifestyle needs.
Central Texas' hot, humid summers and outdoor lifestyle require hearing aids with excellent moisture resistance and durability. Some brands excel at managing humidity, while others provide superior wind noise reduction for outdoor activities. Our team evaluates your daily activities - whether attending church services, working outdoors, or enjoying local events - to recommend brands that can withstand Texas weather conditions.
Success with hearing aids depends heavily on expert programming and ongoing local support, not just brand selection. Professional fitting involves programming devices specifically for your unique hearing loss pattern, ensuring a comfortable physical fit, and teaching you to maximize the technology's benefits. Our lifetime care promise includes regular adjustments, cleanings, and repairs regardless of which manufacturer you choose.
Each person's hearing loss is unique, and different manufacturers address various challenges more effectively. Some brands specialize in high-frequency loss common with aging, while others excel at managing tinnitus. Dr. Velasquez and our team use comprehensive testing and lifestyle assessments to identify which brands offer the specific features you need for your hearing profile.
Today's hearing aids offer advanced connectivity options. Phonak pioneered Bluetooth-enabled devices, ReSound features future-proof Auracast connectivity for public audio systems, and Starkey provides comprehensive health tracking through their app. These features allow direct phone streaming, TV audio connection, and seamless integration with theaters and airports equipped with compatible systems.
Regular check-ups every three to six months ensure optimal performance as your hearing needs change. Our lifetime care includes retesting, cleaning, programming adjustments, and most in-office repairs. This ongoing partnership means you're never locked into a solution that stops working for your lifestyle, with quick adjustments available before important events.
AI-powered hearing aids like Starkey's Edge AI and Genesis AI feature Deep Neural Network processors that mimic the human brain, while Signia's Integrated Xperience processes 192,000 data points per second. These smart devices automatically adjust to different environments, enhance speech clarity, and can even track health metrics - capabilities that traditional models lack.
Yes, our ability to work with multiple manufacturers means you can explore different options as your lifestyle or hearing needs evolve. Our team's expertise across various brands ensures smooth transitions when necessary. The relationship with our audiologists continues regardless of brand changes, maintaining consistent quality care throughout your hearing journey.
Most quality hearing aids from major manufacturers last 4-7 years with proper care and maintenance. Factors affecting longevity include moisture exposure, daily wear time, and regular professional cleaning. Our lifetime care promise helps maximize device lifespan through preventive maintenance and timely repairs, regardless of which brand you choose.
Longhorn Hearing offers flexible financing through CareCredit® and HealthiPlan to make any brand accessible. These healthcare-specific credit options provide convenient payment plans without hidden fees or prepayment penalties. Our billing staff assists with applications and can help you understand coverage options from insurance providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and United Healthcare.