FAQ
1. How can hearing aids help?
A hearing aid amplifies the intensity of the sound entering the ear.
More severe hearing loss require greater hearing aid amplification to be
given to the wearer. However, there are practical limits to the amount
of amplification a hearing aid can provide. In addition, if the inner
ear is too damaged, even too loud of sounds given will not be converted
into neural signals by the hair cells of inner ear. In this situation, a
hearing aid would be ineffective.
2. How can I find out if I need a hearing aid?
If you think you might have hearing loss and could benefit from a
hearing aid, you can visit an audiologist for assessment. An audiologist
is a hearing health professional who identifies and measures hearing
loss and will perform a hearing test to assess the type and degree of
loss.
3. Are there different styles of hearing aids?
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids consist of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the earmold and into the ear. BTE aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss.
- Another kind of BTE aid is an open-fit hearing aid. Small, open-fit aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a buildup of earwax, since this type of aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice does not sound “plugged up.”
- Receiver-in-the-canal hearing aid is a lot similar to BTE hearing aid. The difference is the receiver goes inside the wearer ear. This allows the plastic case to be smaller than BTE. It also allows the ability to change to a stronger receiver if the hearing loss progresses over time.
- In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic. ITE aids usually are not worn by young children because the casings need to be replaced often as the ear grows.
- Canal aids fit into the ear canal and are available in two styles. The in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid is made to fit the size and shape of a person’s ear canal. A completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid is nearly hidden in the ear canal. Both types are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
- Because they are small, canal aids have less space available for batteries and additional devices. They usually are not recommended for young children or for people with severe to profound hearing loss because their reduced size limits their power and volume.
4. Do all hearing aids work the same way?
Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics used. This
in turn will provide different features and sound quality for different
hearing aids models.
5. Which hearing aid will work best for me?
The hearing aid that will work best for you depends on the kind and
severity of your hearing loss. If you have a hearing loss in both of
your ears, two hearing aids are generally recommended because two aids
provide a more natural signal to the brain. Hearing in both ears also
will help you understand speech and locate where the sound is coming
from.
You and your audiologist should select a hearing aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Price is also a key consideration. Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost.
Adapted from : National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
You and your audiologist should select a hearing aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Price is also a key consideration. Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost.
Adapted from : National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
MYTH ABOUT HEARING LOSS
Myth: Hearing aids restore hearing to normal hearing level.
Fact: Hearing aids do not restore hearing to normal hearing level nor they cure hearing loss. They increase the intensity of external sounds which will in turn provide benefit and improvement in communication. They can improve your hearing and listening abilities, and they can substantially improve your quality of life.
Myth: You can save time and money by buying hearing aids online or by mail order.
Fact: By working with an audiologist, you are purchasing professional care and services to ensure that the correct hearing aid is selected and that proper programming of the hearing aid is completed Other professional care includes:
- Hearing evaluation
- Referral for medical treatment (if needed)
- Hearing aid evaluation
- Verification of fit of hearing aid
- Instruction in how to properly use and maintain the hearing aid
- Follow-up care and support
- Repair services
- Rehabilitation services
Myth: A hearing aid will damage your hearing.
Fact: A properly fitted and maintained hearing aid will not damage your hearing.
Myth: A milder hearing loss is not bad enough for a hearing aid.
Fact: Everyone's hearing loss and listening needs are different. By working with your audiologist, you can determine if a hearing aid is needed and how much it will improve your hearing.
Myth: Wearing two hearing aids is not necessary.
Fact: We normally hear with two ears. Hearing with two ears helps us localize sounds and assists us in noisy settings Most people with hearing loss in both ears can understand better with two aids than with one.
Myth: The invisible hearing aids worn in the ear are the best hearing aids to purchase.
Fact: There are several styles of hearing aids. What is most important is that you purchase a hearing aid that accommodates your hearing loss and your listening needs. Just because your friend uses a particular hearing aid style does not mean you have to (or should) use that style. Your friend's style of hearing aid may be a totally inappropriate prescription for your needs.
Adapted from : American Speech-Language Hearing Association
MYTH ABOUT HEARING AID
Myth: Only a few people are truly hearing impaired; the statistics don’t apply to me or those close to me.
Fact: With 28 million reporting hearing loss in the US alone, or one in 10 people, odds are good that you or someone you know is indeed affected by hearing loss—especially if you’re age 60.
Myth: If I did have a hearing impairment, I’d certainly know about it.
Fact: The truth is, hearing loss happens gradually and the signs are subtle at first. Sometimes our abilty to adapt make it hard for us to recognize the problem. A simple hearing test can help you gain insight, while professional screening can provide a more definitive answer.
Myth: Hearing loss affects only elderly and is merely a sign of aging.
Fact: Only 35% of people with hearing loss are older than age 64. There are close to six million people in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 44 with hearing loss, and more than one million are school age. Hearing loss affects all age groups.
Myth: It always can be improved by medical or surgical treatment.
Fact: Many people know someone whose hearing improved after medical or surgical treatment. It's true that some types of hearing loss can be successfully treated. With adults, unfortunately, this only applies to 5-10% of cases.
Myth: Most hearing problems can’t be helped.
Fact: 30 or 40 years ago, that was true. Today, 90% of hearing loss—the kind that’s brought on by age or exposure to noise—is very responsive to treatment in the form of technically advanced hearing instruments.
Myth: I’ve been told I have a hearing loss – so I don’t need to bother protecting my ears from noises
Fact: Just because you have a hearing loss doesn’t mean you should stop protecting your hearing from dangerous noise exposure. Regular exposure to harmful noise, even with a hearing loss, can result in more hearing damage.
