Hearing Aids Inside Out
Hearing Loss And Hearing Aids
It is estimated that more than 28 million Americans are hard of hearing. For most, a hearing aid
is the appropriate solution. A hearing aid is a device that helps someone who has trouble
hearing. Hearing aids today are electronic instruments that receive and amplify sounds. The
earliest hearing aids were usually cone-shaped devices that funneled sound towards the ear in
order to amplify it. All hearing aids consist of a microphone or receiver to pick up sound waves
and convert them to an electric signal. This signal is then processed and sent to a speaker,
which converts it back to an audio signal. The processing serves to amplify those frequencies
of which the user has trouble hearing
is the appropriate solution. A hearing aid is a device that helps someone who has trouble
hearing. Hearing aids today are electronic instruments that receive and amplify sounds. The
earliest hearing aids were usually cone-shaped devices that funneled sound towards the ear in
order to amplify it. All hearing aids consist of a microphone or receiver to pick up sound waves
and convert them to an electric signal. This signal is then processed and sent to a speaker,
which converts it back to an audio signal. The processing serves to amplify those frequencies
of which the user has trouble hearing
.
There two types of hearing loss are conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear and are caused
by something like a buildup of earwax, infection, fluid in the ear, or a punctured eardrum.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the auditory nerve or hair cells in
the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss is usually corrected by surgery. Sensorineural hearing
loss is usually corrected with a hearing aid.
Hearing aids are not a perfect solution – they do have their limitations. They will not restore
normal hearing, nor will they eliminate background noise. However, they may be adjusted to
lessen background noise. New users to hearing aids often complain that their voices sound
funny to themselves, and that they are bothered by the relative loud noise from things like
refrigerator fans and traffic on the street outside. However, as they have a chance to adapt to
their new hearing aid, their brain begins to filter out background noises to a more comfortable
level.
There two types of hearing loss are conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear and are caused
by something like a buildup of earwax, infection, fluid in the ear, or a punctured eardrum.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the auditory nerve or hair cells in
the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss is usually corrected by surgery. Sensorineural hearing
loss is usually corrected with a hearing aid.
Hearing aids are not a perfect solution – they do have their limitations. They will not restore
normal hearing, nor will they eliminate background noise. However, they may be adjusted to
lessen background noise. New users to hearing aids often complain that their voices sound
funny to themselves, and that they are bothered by the relative loud noise from things like
refrigerator fans and traffic on the street outside. However, as they have a chance to adapt to
their new hearing aid, their brain begins to filter out background noises to a more comfortable
level.
Types Of Hearing Aids
Old style hearing aids are now known as body worn aids. They were relatively large devices
about the size of a deck of cards. Body worn aids are seldom used anymore, except
occasionally in the case of very severe hearing loss. The most common hearing aid type today
is the behind the ear aid, or BTE. A behind the ear hearing aid consists of a case that clips
behind the ear and is connected directly by plastic sound tubes to a custom molded earpiece.
BTE’s are generally more suitable for children, as they are more durable and easier to adapt as
the child grows. The next type of hearing aid is the in the ear or ITE hearing aid. These aids fit
in the outer ear bowl and can be visible. They are the most comfortable, least expensive, and
easiest to use of the custom fitted hearing aids. Smaller that the in the ear hearing aid is the in
the canal, or ITC hearing aid. These aids are usually more expensive than ITE’s, and are also
harder to adjust owing to the small size of the volume wheel. Even smaller than the ITC’s are
the mini canal, or MC, hearing aid. These are the smallest hearing aid you can get that still
have a volume adjustment wheel. The tiniest hearing aids made are the completely in the
canal, or CIC hearing aids. They fit so deeply into the ear that they require a removal string.
CIC’s do not usually have manual controls simply because of their size.
A feature available on many hearing aids is the telecoil. Telecoils allow the hearing aid to pick
up magnetic signals and process them as audio signal. Telecoils were originally developed to
help those with hearing aids use the telephone. Older telephone produced fairly strong
magnetic fields in their earpieces, which could be picked up by the telecoil. Modern phones do
not normally produce strong enough magnetic fields, but many phones and other devices are
equipped to transmit to a telecoil anyway. Most users find that the telecoil provides better
sound quality and allow the user to more easily concentrate on the desired sound, despite any
background noise.
about the size of a deck of cards. Body worn aids are seldom used anymore, except
occasionally in the case of very severe hearing loss. The most common hearing aid type today
is the behind the ear aid, or BTE. A behind the ear hearing aid consists of a case that clips
behind the ear and is connected directly by plastic sound tubes to a custom molded earpiece.
BTE’s are generally more suitable for children, as they are more durable and easier to adapt as
the child grows. The next type of hearing aid is the in the ear or ITE hearing aid. These aids fit
in the outer ear bowl and can be visible. They are the most comfortable, least expensive, and
easiest to use of the custom fitted hearing aids. Smaller that the in the ear hearing aid is the in
the canal, or ITC hearing aid. These aids are usually more expensive than ITE’s, and are also
harder to adjust owing to the small size of the volume wheel. Even smaller than the ITC’s are
the mini canal, or MC, hearing aid. These are the smallest hearing aid you can get that still
have a volume adjustment wheel. The tiniest hearing aids made are the completely in the
canal, or CIC hearing aids. They fit so deeply into the ear that they require a removal string.
CIC’s do not usually have manual controls simply because of their size.
A feature available on many hearing aids is the telecoil. Telecoils allow the hearing aid to pick
up magnetic signals and process them as audio signal. Telecoils were originally developed to
help those with hearing aids use the telephone. Older telephone produced fairly strong
magnetic fields in their earpieces, which could be picked up by the telecoil. Modern phones do
not normally produce strong enough magnetic fields, but many phones and other devices are
equipped to transmit to a telecoil anyway. Most users find that the telecoil provides better
sound quality and allow the user to more easily concentrate on the desired sound, despite any
background noise.
Before You Get Hearing Aids
The first step in getting a hearing aid is to visit an ear care professional to get a full hearing
test. The professional will measure several different facets of your hearing, including how well
you can hear different tones or frequencies, and how well you can discern speech with various
levels of background noise. You should discuss with your doctor or audiologist whether a
hearing aid is the best solution for you, or whether it is possible to correct your hearing loss
through surgery. Next you’ll want to investigate the different styles of hearing aids, and select
the one that is right for you, your hearing loss, and your lifestyle. Most hearing aid companies
offer a trial period, so don’t hesitate to try more than one aid. You will want to check out what
features are available with the different hearing aids. Two features which are especially useful
are telecoil and direct audio input. These allow you to use assistive listening devices which can
be purchased for your home and are available at some public locations.
An important consideration is the full cost of the hearing aid, including batteries and repairs.
Make sure you ask what the warranty covers, as well as what is the length of the warranty. A
person obtaining a hearing aid for the first time will need to take the time to become familiar with their hearing aid. It may be uncomfortable to start, or your voice may sound funny to yourself.
test. The professional will measure several different facets of your hearing, including how well
you can hear different tones or frequencies, and how well you can discern speech with various
levels of background noise. You should discuss with your doctor or audiologist whether a
hearing aid is the best solution for you, or whether it is possible to correct your hearing loss
through surgery. Next you’ll want to investigate the different styles of hearing aids, and select
the one that is right for you, your hearing loss, and your lifestyle. Most hearing aid companies
offer a trial period, so don’t hesitate to try more than one aid. You will want to check out what
features are available with the different hearing aids. Two features which are especially useful
are telecoil and direct audio input. These allow you to use assistive listening devices which can
be purchased for your home and are available at some public locations.
An important consideration is the full cost of the hearing aid, including batteries and repairs.
Make sure you ask what the warranty covers, as well as what is the length of the warranty. A
person obtaining a hearing aid for the first time will need to take the time to become familiar with their hearing aid. It may be uncomfortable to start, or your voice may sound funny to yourself.
Know how to adjust your hearing aid properly, and be sure to return to your audiologist or
hearing aid dispenser for a proper adjustment if it is not comfortable.
Maintaining Your Hearing Aids
It is very important to maintain your hearing aid properly. Hearing aids are delicate instruments,
and looking after them is vital. You will need to know how to clean your hearing aid by removing
wax buildup, how to replace and dispose of batteries and how to remove moisture from the aid.
In order to properly maintain your hearing aid you will want a battery tester and spare batteries,
silica gel packs and a plastic stethoscope. You will want to keep your hearing aid clean by
wiping it daily with a dry tissue. Moisture is the enemy of your hearing aid, so do not wash it,
even with a damp cloth. The silica gel packs are used to prevent moisture from getting into your
hearing aid while you are not wearing it. The most common maintenance you will have to do is
to replace dead batteries. You will want to replace dead batteries immediately. Remember, in
order to prolong the battery life you will want turn off your hearing aids when you’re not using
them.
A plastic stethoscope is a great tool to make sure your hearing aid is functioning correctly. Use
the stethoscope to listen to the output of the hearing aid while you adjust it. You will want to test
your hearing aid’s response to different volumes and sounds and to check for the presence of
static and that the hearing aid is not cutting in and out.
The only part of a hearing aid that should be washed is the ear mold piece of a behind the ear
hearing aid. You can gently wash it with a mild detergent. A forced air blower can be used to
dry the ear mold more quickly.
If you are having any problems with your hearing aid, take it back to the dispenser or
audiologist. A badly functioning hearing aid will cause you discomfort, and decrease the benefit
you could have received from it.
and looking after them is vital. You will need to know how to clean your hearing aid by removing
wax buildup, how to replace and dispose of batteries and how to remove moisture from the aid.
In order to properly maintain your hearing aid you will want a battery tester and spare batteries,
silica gel packs and a plastic stethoscope. You will want to keep your hearing aid clean by
wiping it daily with a dry tissue. Moisture is the enemy of your hearing aid, so do not wash it,
even with a damp cloth. The silica gel packs are used to prevent moisture from getting into your
hearing aid while you are not wearing it. The most common maintenance you will have to do is
to replace dead batteries. You will want to replace dead batteries immediately. Remember, in
order to prolong the battery life you will want turn off your hearing aids when you’re not using
them.
A plastic stethoscope is a great tool to make sure your hearing aid is functioning correctly. Use
the stethoscope to listen to the output of the hearing aid while you adjust it. You will want to test
your hearing aid’s response to different volumes and sounds and to check for the presence of
static and that the hearing aid is not cutting in and out.
The only part of a hearing aid that should be washed is the ear mold piece of a behind the ear
hearing aid. You can gently wash it with a mild detergent. A forced air blower can be used to
dry the ear mold more quickly.
If you are having any problems with your hearing aid, take it back to the dispenser or
audiologist. A badly functioning hearing aid will cause you discomfort, and decrease the benefit
you could have received from it.
Hearing Aids And Children
As a child grows, the ear grows as well. The behind the ear style of hearing aid is preferred
for children because the ear mold can be replaced separately from the rest of the unit. In the
ear hearing aids would have to be replaced completely as the child outgrew them. In addition,
behind the ear hearing aids are better for children because the ear mold and hearing aid can be more easily cleaned and maintained, the controls are more easily adjusted and monitored by parents. And as any parent knows, because behind the ear hearing aids are larger and less
likely to get lost, this will save you considerable expense in replacements.
for children because the ear mold can be replaced separately from the rest of the unit. In the
ear hearing aids would have to be replaced completely as the child outgrew them. In addition,
behind the ear hearing aids are better for children because the ear mold and hearing aid can be more easily cleaned and maintained, the controls are more easily adjusted and monitored by parents. And as any parent knows, because behind the ear hearing aids are larger and less
likely to get lost, this will save you considerable expense in replacements.
For most children, the real need for a hearing aid comes at school. Without being able to
hear properly, a child will miss instructions from their teacher, leading to frustration and poor
performance. For children with hearing problems, many schools now will provide assistive
learning systems. In these systems, the teacher is typically given a microphone, and the
signal is sent directly to the hearing impaired student via either a telecoil or direct audio input.
This type of set-up tends to be more effective for the child as it eliminates the amplification of
background noise.
.
In the ear hearing aids are not suitable for young children because the aid must then be
replaced frequently as the child grows. Once the child is in their teens, however, their ears will
have reached their adult size, and they would be able to wear an in the ear hearing aid if so
desired.
hear properly, a child will miss instructions from their teacher, leading to frustration and poor
performance. For children with hearing problems, many schools now will provide assistive
learning systems. In these systems, the teacher is typically given a microphone, and the
signal is sent directly to the hearing impaired student via either a telecoil or direct audio input.
This type of set-up tends to be more effective for the child as it eliminates the amplification of
background noise.
.
In the ear hearing aids are not suitable for young children because the aid must then be
replaced frequently as the child grows. Once the child is in their teens, however, their ears will
have reached their adult size, and they would be able to wear an in the ear hearing aid if so
desired.
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