Patient Resources
Everything you need to prepare for your visit, understand your hearing health, and get the most from your care.
Patient Forms
New Patient Paperwork
To save time at your appointment, you're welcome to download and complete these forms before you arrive. Please bring the completed forms with you on the day of your visit.
New Patient Intake Form
Basic contact information, reason for visit, and referral details. Required for all new patients.
Medical History Form
Your hearing history, noise exposure, medications, and relevant medical background to help us provide the best care.
HIPAA Authorization Form
Authorizes Boston Hearing Associates to use and disclose your protected health information as required by law.
Forms are provided as printable PDFs. If you have difficulty accessing them, please call us at 781-444-9595 and we'll mail or email them to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Hearing Health Education
Understanding Your Hearing
Knowledge is the first step toward better hearing. These guides cover the most important topics our patients ask about.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss often develops gradually — so gradually that many people don't notice until it significantly affects their daily life. Common signs include frequently asking others to repeat themselves, difficulty following conversations in noisy environments, turning up the TV louder than others prefer, missing parts of phone conversations, and a ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears. If any of these sound familiar, a hearing evaluation is the right first step.
If you find yourself nodding along in conversations without fully hearing what was said, that's a strong signal to get your hearing checked.
How Hearing Aids Work
Modern hearing aids are sophisticated digital devices that amplify and process sound in real time. A tiny microphone picks up sound, a processor analyzes and adjusts it based on your specific hearing profile, and a speaker delivers the enhanced sound into your ear canal. Today's devices help to distinguish speech from background noise, connect wirelessly to smartphones, and be fine-tuned via an app.
The best hearing aid is the one you'll actually wear. Comfort, fit, and lifestyle compatibility matter just as much as technology level.
Protecting Your Hearing
Noise-induced hearing loss is often permanent — but entirely preventable. Sounds above 85 decibels (about the level of heavy traffic) can damage hearing with prolonged exposure. Concerts, power tools, lawn equipment, and firearms are common culprits. Wearing properly fitted hearing protection in loud environments is the single most effective way to preserve the hearing you have. Custom-molded earplugs offer the best protection and comfort for regular use.
The 60/60 rule for headphone users: listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus — the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking sounds with no external source — affects roughly 15% of adults. It is a symptom, not a disease, and can result from noise exposure, hearing loss, ear infections, certain medications, or other health conditions. While there is currently no cure, effective management strategies including sound therapy, counseling, and hearing aids can significantly reduce its impact on daily life.
Tinnitus is often worse in quiet environments. A low-level background sound — a fan, soft music, or a white noise machine — can provide meaningful relief.
Have a Question Not Answered Here?
Our team is always happy to help. Call us during office hours or schedule an appointment and we'll address any concerns in person.