A hearing aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind
your ear. It magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear. That makes
some sounds louder. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both
quiet and noisy situations.
Hearing aids help people who have hearing loss from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear. The damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines.
Only about one out of five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one. If you think a hearing aid could help you, visit your doctor.
Hearing aids help people who have hearing loss from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear. The damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines.
Only about one out of five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one. If you think a hearing aid could help you, visit your doctor.
Introduction
Hearing problems are fairly common in older people. About one in three people over the age of 65 has hearing loss.
Most people that use hearing aids are able to hear very well. Hearing aids have gotten smaller and better with the help of technology.
If you have or are thinking about using a hearing aid, this patient education program will help you better understand hearing aids.
Most people that use hearing aids are able to hear very well. Hearing aids have gotten smaller and better with the help of technology.
If you have or are thinking about using a hearing aid, this patient education program will help you better understand hearing aids.
How Hearing Aids Work
A hearing aid is an electronic device that changes sound and makes it
louder to help people with hearing loss communicate better.
A hearing aid receives sound through a microphone and then makes the sound louder and plays it to the ear through a speaker.
Hearing aids can be made to fit each patient's needs. People wearing hearing aids are able to adjust the volume, depending on their location. For instance, the setting for home conversation might be different than for conversation at a restaurant.
A hearing aid receives sound through a microphone and then makes the sound louder and plays it to the ear through a speaker.
Hearing aids can be made to fit each patient's needs. People wearing hearing aids are able to adjust the volume, depending on their location. For instance, the setting for home conversation might be different than for conversation at a restaurant.
Are Hearing Aids for You?
If you think you might have hearing loss, tell your physician. He or she
may refer you to a specialist, such as an audiologist or an
otolaryngologist.
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who can tell whether there is hearing loss and how much there is. If the audiologist decides that there is a hearing loss, he or she may tell the patient about hearing aids that would improve their hearing.
An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in ear disorders. He or she can find out the cause of the hearing loss.
The decision whether to use hearing aids is reached by you and your healthcare provider. Factors to consider are your hearing ability, medical condition, style preferences, and cost.
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who can tell whether there is hearing loss and how much there is. If the audiologist decides that there is a hearing loss, he or she may tell the patient about hearing aids that would improve their hearing.
An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in ear disorders. He or she can find out the cause of the hearing loss.
The decision whether to use hearing aids is reached by you and your healthcare provider. Factors to consider are your hearing ability, medical condition, style preferences, and cost.
Styles
There are several styles of hearing aids. Each style has advantages and
limitations. The audiologist will explain to you the style that is best
for you. The following section will help you understand some things to
consider.
Some types of hearing aids fit in the ear canal and are more hidden than other models. They are made to fit the exact shape of the patient's ear canal. Because they are small and concealed, it is harder for the user to remove them and adjust them. They can also be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
Other models of hearing aids fit in the outer ear. They are small but more noticeable than the ear canal models. Like the ear canal models, they are sometimes hard to adjust and can be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
Hearing aids that fit in the ear can also include a telecoil. This is a small magnetic coil that makes it easier to hear when talking on the phone.
Other hearing aids fit behind the ear. They are connected to a piece of plastic called an ear mold that fits around the outer ear. They can be used for all levels of hearing loss.
It is important, when using hearing aids with ear molds, to be sure that they fit well. If they do not fit well, the ear molds may cause feedback or a whistle sound.
When a patient cannot have hearing aids behind or inside the ear, other styles are available that can be worn on a belt. In this style of hearing aid, a wire connects the hearing aid to the ear.
Some types of hearing aids fit in the ear canal and are more hidden than other models. They are made to fit the exact shape of the patient's ear canal. Because they are small and concealed, it is harder for the user to remove them and adjust them. They can also be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
Other models of hearing aids fit in the outer ear. They are small but more noticeable than the ear canal models. Like the ear canal models, they are sometimes hard to adjust and can be damaged by earwax and ear drainage.
Hearing aids that fit in the ear can also include a telecoil. This is a small magnetic coil that makes it easier to hear when talking on the phone.
Other hearing aids fit behind the ear. They are connected to a piece of plastic called an ear mold that fits around the outer ear. They can be used for all levels of hearing loss.
It is important, when using hearing aids with ear molds, to be sure that they fit well. If they do not fit well, the ear molds may cause feedback or a whistle sound.
When a patient cannot have hearing aids behind or inside the ear, other styles are available that can be worn on a belt. In this style of hearing aid, a wire connects the hearing aid to the ear.
Circuitry
In addition to the differences of where hearing aids are worn, there are also electronic differences.
Some models use analog technology and others use digital technology. Digital offers more options for adjustment and programming.
When the audiologist adjusts a hearing aid, he or she makes sure it fits the patient's level of hearing loss, the shape of the ear, and other factors.
When the audiologist programs the hearing aid, the patient is able to adjust it according to where he or she is at.
Some models use analog technology and others use digital technology. Digital offers more options for adjustment and programming.
When the audiologist adjusts a hearing aid, he or she makes sure it fits the patient's level of hearing loss, the shape of the ear, and other factors.
When the audiologist programs the hearing aid, the patient is able to adjust it according to where he or she is at.
Benefits
Hearing aids can help hearing loss patients to communicate better by making the sound they hear louder and more balanced.
Hearing aids can also filter and improve the understanding of words in noisy environments.
Hearing aids can make it easier to locate the source of sounds.
Hearing aids can also filter and improve the understanding of words in noisy environments.
Hearing aids can make it easier to locate the source of sounds.
Limitations
Wearing hearing aids can help people using them communicate better.
However, they have certain limitations you should know about. By knowing
the limitations, you can better understand how to use and maintain
hearing aids.
Some limitations are general to all hearing aids and others are more specific to the model of hearing aid you select with your audiologist.
It takes time and patience to learn how to use hearing aids well. While learning how to use your hearing aids, they may be a little uncomfortable to wear.
You will need to practice a set of skills such as:
Some limitations are general to all hearing aids and others are more specific to the model of hearing aid you select with your audiologist.
It takes time and patience to learn how to use hearing aids well. While learning how to use your hearing aids, they may be a little uncomfortable to wear.
You will need to practice a set of skills such as:
- Identifying the right and left pieces
- Putting hearing aids in and taking them out
- Adjusting the volume control and switching to different programs if available
- Cleaning and replacing the batteries
Hearing aids do not restore normal hearing. They help amplify and process the sounds you hear.
Hearing aids do not get rid of background noises. However, if you hear background noise, tell your audiologist. He or she may need to make some adjustments.
In some cases, hearing aids may make your own voice sound too loud. Your audiologist may be able to correct this problem.
Sometimes hearing aids can produce feedback. This makes a whistle sound. It may be caused by earwax buildup or by the way the hearing aid fits to your ear. Your audiologist can usually fix these problems through adjustments.
Tips On Caring for Hearing Aids
The following tips will help you care for your hearing aids:
- Clean your hearing aids as instructed by your audiologist and avoid exposing them to heat and moisture.
- Turn your hearing aids off when you are not using them and replace the batteries as soon as they need to be replaced.
- Take your hearing aids out before using hairspray or shampooing.
Summary
Hearing problems are fairly common in elderly people.
Hearing aids are becoming smaller and more efficient about improving hearing quality, thanks to growing technology.
If hearing aids can help you, you have several options. Learning about hearing aids will help you make a better decision. Your doctor and audiologist are always available to answer your questions.
Hearing aids are becoming smaller and more efficient about improving hearing quality, thanks to growing technology.
If hearing aids can help you, you have several options. Learning about hearing aids will help you make a better decision. Your doctor and audiologist are always available to answer your questions.
