Hearing Aids

HEARING AIDS: Answers to Your Questions

By the time we reach the age of 65 years, most people have some amount of hearing loss. Whether that loss is mild in nature or more severe, the problems are all strikingly similar. Maybe you have heard yourself say some of following things to friends or family?

"I hear fine; I just can't understand what people are saying."

"If people would only speak more slowly, I wouldn't have a problem."

"Restaurants or parties aren't for me. I guess I'll just stay at home. There is really too much noise to hear anything anyway."

"People get tired of me always asking them to repeat what they said."

If any of these statements sound familiar, you may be a candidate for a hearing aid. Below you will find the information you need to get you started on the road to better hearing, improved communication with others, and enhanced activity with your family and community.

YOUR ROAD MAP TO BETTER HEARING

DO I NEED A HEARING AID?

First, you need to have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist. At the Ear, Nose, & Throat Group, we have three trained audiologists on staff. The audiologist will test your hearing and discuss the amount and type of hearing loss you have. Such conditions might include an active infection, earwax blocking the outer ear canal, a non-stable injury, or any other problem that may be medically or surgically treatable.

Second, although less than 10% of people with a hearing loss have the type of hearing loss that can be medically or surgically corrected, the audiologist's evaluation can determine if you are a candidate for hearing aids or medical/surgical treatment.

Finally, if you are a candidate for hearing aids, the audiologist will begin to provide you with information regarding the next step….

WHAT KINDS OF HEARING AIDS ARE THERE AND HOW DO I CHOOSE?

There are several types of hearing aids available in the market today. Technology is constantly changing providing new and improved devices. In general, there are three types of hearing aids: digital , analog, and programmable .

Digital hearing aids first appeared about three years ago. Digital aids convert the speech signal into a number. That number is then manipulated very precisely to provide a cleaner and clearer amplified sound to the impaired ear. Essentially, the hearing aid acts as a miniature computer for your ear.

Analog hearing aids do not use such sophisticated technology. They process sounds by simply taking the sound wave in with a microphone and mechanically turning it up. Analog aids do not necessarily provide the best sound quality, as distortion of the sound is less controllable.

Programmable hearing aids are the middle of the road between analog and digital. This means that while they still amplify the sounds like an analog hearing aid, your audiologist can manipulate some the hearing aid features by plugging it into a computer in the office. This improved control allows the audiologist to better match the hearing aid to your hearing loss.

There are also several sizes of hearing aids to choose from. Your audiologist will be able to tell you which size would be best for you based on your hearing loss and needs. It is important to realize that not all hearing aids are alike. Small hearing aids may not be strong enough to fit some of the more severe losses nor are they large enough to house some of the more advanced options that you require for optimal hearing and communication.

Other options for hearing aids include:

Two-microphone Technology

This technology is by far the best for improving speech understanding especially in noise. One microphone picks up sound in front of you; the other works to cancel sound behind you. This option is great in restaurants or other noisy environments.

Remote Controls & Multiple Programs

These features allow for different hearing aid settings for different listening situations such as at work, in the car, in restaurants, in loud noise, for music, etc. The remote control allows you to switch easily from one program to the other. It's like having several hearing aids all in one.

T-Coil

The t-coil is a tried and true option for listening with your hearing aids on the telephone. The t-coil amplifies the electromagnetic signals of the telephone without creating feedback from your hearing aid. It often is available as a switch on the hearing aid or a separate program on the digital or programmable aids.

In all, it is vital to remember that the audiologist is there to help you choose the best hearing aid for your hearing loss and your listening situations. Think of her as your own personal travel guide.

DO I NEED ONE HEARING AID OR TWO?

In general, everyone will benefit most from the use of two hearing aids. There are several reasons for why, including:

Improved understanding, especially in noise. The ears combine their signal and the brain using this "whole picture" to focus in on the important speech signal and ignore surrounding background noise.

Less stressful listening. You don't always have to turn your "good ear" to hear what is being said or miss half of the conversation on your "bad side".

Locating sounds accurately . Imagine walking up to a busy street and not being able to quickly locate which direction a car is coming from.

Avoiding further loss of understanding . Research has shown that the ear that is unaided tends to show a steady decline in speech understanding. This decline can have some permanent effects even if that ear is eventually aided.

Cushioning loud sounds . Less overall volume is needed when the two ears are allowed to add their input together. In turn loud sounds are not as harsh when buffered between the two.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I DECIDE TO GET A HEARING AID?

First the audiologist will make an impression or mold of your ear. This will be used to order either your hearing aid, for the in-the-ear models, or your earmold, for the behind-the-ear models. This is a simple process that takes about 10 minutes. The earmolds are then mailed to the manufacturer.

It takes about a week to 10 days to build the hearing aids. As soon as they arrive, the audiologist will call you to set up an appointment for you to pick up your new hearing aids.

At this first appointment, you will be fit with the hearing aids. The audiologist will ensure that they are neither too tight nor too small. She will also set the hearing aids to a preliminary level. At this appointment you will learn how to change the battery, clean the hearing aid, insert and remove the aid, and use the telephone.

The audiologist will probably not make any adjustments during the first fitting. It is important that you wear the aids for a while before any drastic changes are made. The hearing aids have been designed and configured based on your hearing loss and a tried and true prescription method. Later, small changes can be made to adjust for your own personal needs.

In about two weeks, you will have a follow-up appointment. At that time, we would make any adjustments necessary and discuss your progress into your new world of sound.

WHAT IF I'M NOT SURE THAT I'M READY?

Talk to your friends and family. Ask for their support, encouragement, and their opinions.

Finally, with all hearing aids there is a 30-day trial period. There is little to lose and everything to gain.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Feel free to contact one of our audiologists for a free consultative appointment.

We are all ears.

Or visit one of these links for more information.

www.gnresound.com

www.oticonus.com

www.phonak.com

www.siemens-hearing.com

www.widexusa.com

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