Hearing Aids: How They Help to Hearing Impaired Peoples?

For those who suffer from hearing loss, life is a series of missed opportunities. Even very close loved ones tend to switch off when they know they are not going to be heard. Hearing aids are primarily used in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people who have hearing loss. This type of hearing loss results from damage to the small sensory cells of the inner ear, called hair cells. This type of hearing loss is called censorial hearing loss. The damage can occur due to aging, disease, injury from noise or certain medicines.

A hearing aid amplifies sound vibrations entering the ear. Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are then transmitted to the brain. The greater the damage to the hair cells, the grater the hearing loss and the greater the amplification needed for comfortable hearing. The ability to provide amplification by the hearing aids is limited. In addition, if the inner ear is too damaged, even large vibrations cannot be converted to neural signals rendering the hearing aid ineffective.

There are different types of hearing aids to address different types of hearing loss. They differ in style and function.

Behind The Ear hearing aids consist of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear, and connected to a plastic ear mould that fits inside the outer ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the ear mould and into the ear. BTE hearing aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss.

In The Ear hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. Some ITE aids may have certain special features installed such as the telecoil. A telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows sound to be received through the circuitry of the hearing aid rather than the microphone. This facilitates the hearing of telephonic conversations and public facilities installed with public loop systems. Induction loop systems can be found in cinemas, auditoriums, airports, schools and churches.

Canal aids fit the ear and are available in two styles. The In the Canal – ITC aid is designed to fit the ear canal of the patient. A completely in canal hearing aid CIC, is nearly hidden in the ear canal. Both types are used in mild to moderately severe hearing loss.

Hearing aids work differently depending on the technology used. The two main types are analogue and digital.

Analogue Aids convert sound waves to electrical signals, which are amplified. The aid is programmed by the manufacturer according to the directions of the Audiologist.

Digital aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code of a computer before amplifying them. Digital circuitry allows the Audiologist more flexibility in adjusting the aid to a user’s need and to certain listening environments. These aids can also be programmed to focus on sounds coming from a certain direction.

Hearing aids help reintegrate the patient into society.

What You Need To Know About Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is a small programmable device which is worn in or behind the ear. It amplifies the sound so that a person with hearing loss can hear, communicate in daily activities and listen more effectively. Hearing aids are effective in both noisy and quiet situations. A hearing aid price list is available at the Center for hearing Aids website.

The hearing aid has three major parts- the amplifier, the speaker and the microphone. Sound is received through the microphone which converts sound waves to electrical signals and transmits them to the amplifier.  The amplifier increases the power of the signals and transmits them to the ear via a speaker.

There are three major types of hearing aids.

·         Digital hearing Aids

·         Programmable hearing Aids

·         Conventional hearing Aids

Digital hearing aids – these use state of the art technology. Digital hearing Aids are computer programmed fully automatic hearing aids that serve as comfortable “Assistive Listening Devices “for people with hearing Loss. These hearing aids are programmed as per the loss of the person, where each level of frequency can be adjusted at the most comfortable level. This is achieved by using pre defined channels or bands within a hearing aid.

The more the number of channels or bands , the more precise the  sound processing of the hearing aid. Hearing aids have become intelligent enough to tell the difference between noise and speech, thus making noise control and noise reduction more smooth and efficient for the patient.

Although it is often said that we can never match our god gifted sense of hearing, we are coming close with our digital hearing aids.

Programmable hearing Aids – these use more advanced technology than the conventional hearing aids. The aids are programmed by a computer allowing a better way to address a patients hearing needs. This allows a greater flexibility and fine tuning capability. These instruments basically use analogue conventional circuits which are operated by a computer.

Conventional hearing Aids - Conventional hearing aids use basic analogue technology to provide quality amplification to patients with hearing loss. The defining feature of these hearing aids is that they provide the same amount of amplification to all levels of sound intensity. Some patients may find too much or too little sound to comfortable reach the desired listening level for the particular hearing loss. As they are reasonably priced, conventional electronics represent the most basic type of amplification and are suitable where finances are a constraint.

Types of hearing aids

·   CIC completely in canal- these are the smallest type of hearing aids and are almost invisible in the ear.

·       ITC-In the canal – These are bigger than the CIC and fit deep into the ear canal.

·      ITE- In the Ear- Due to their larger size, these hearing aids can be used for a wider range of hearing losses

·   BTE- Behind the Ear- With the BTE aid the electronics are housed in a case that fits behind the ear.

The Hearing Aid Price List is a comprehensive list which compares different styles and models of hearing aids.

Tips on How to Choose the Good Hearing Aids

Everyone has a different approach to choosing hearing aids. Most people prefer visiting professional hearing aid dispensers. The exclusive focus of these professionals is on the diagnosis for hearing loss and its treatment with hearing aids. They can direct you to the latest technology tailor a solution to your particular lifestyle and furnish you with the right hearing aid for your condition. Consider disposable hearing aids if you have a very busy lifestyle. Consider the following points before you buy a hearing aid:

Seek an enjoyable “patience experience”. The whole experience of buying a hearing aid from start to finish must be a pleasant one. In your evaluation ask the following questions;

Are the hearing aids available online? Is the website well reputed and reliable? Does it have good customer service support? Were your questions answered to your satisfaction? How experienced is the hearing care specialist? Is the technology offered state of the art?

Complete a lifestyle assessment. Daily routine is an important factor in determining the right hearing aids for you. Are you retired or do you work? Are you an outdoor enthusiast? Do you find yourself often in noisy situations? The hearing evaluation that you are given must include questions about the way you live.

Give a health history- your general health, medications you take, childhood diseases, and your symptoms of hearing loss all influence your choice of hearing aid. Have a comprehensive hearing examination. Many cases of hearing loss are a result of earwax, ear drum perforation or a genetic abnormality. The results of these tests are plotted on a graph called an audiogram.

If hearing loss is detected the audiogram will show what kind of hearing loss you are suffering from. It could be conductive, sensori neural or mixed and the extent of your hearing loss will be determined. It could be mild, severe, moderate or profound. These factors are pivotal in determining the style, size, shape and design of the hearing aids you buy.

Experience the aid before you actually buy. Hearing aids today can be adjusted to changing environments. They are very versatile and can remember your listening preferences, detect the difference between speech and other sounds and much more. Moreover, they are tiny and light and therefore almost undetectable. Demonstration models help you to experience the look and feel of your aids, best suited to your needs, lifestyle and expectations. It is important that you test drive the aids before choosing the right one.

Follow up care is a very important consideration while buying hearing aids. Once your provider fits you out with new hearing aids, after care is recommended.  Your hearing can change over time requiring subtle adjustments to your hearing aid. Hearing aids are highly sophisticated digital devices that require regular maintenance. Many hearing Aid providers offer these services on a complementary basis. Disposable hearing aids are a milestone in convenience.

What to Do if Your Hearing Aids Need Repair

Irrespective of the shape size and level of technology of your hearing aid there will come a time when they need repair. When you buy hearing aids online India, make sure they have a reasonable warranty period that covers repair.

·       Keep them clean. See that you clean with a soft dry cloth before you put them away for the night. Inspect them for offensive debris such as ear wax and use the cleaning kit which you first got when you received them to remove the debris.

·       Keep your ears clean. Earwax, though a natural and necessary secretion of the ear can wreak havoc with your hearing aids. Help by keeping your ears clean with a washcloth that removes the earwax that collects over your hearing aids every day. Ask your doctor or audiologist to do a thorough. Remember NEVER to put sharp or pointed objects into your ears. You run the risk of pushing the earwax further and even puncturing your eardrum.

·      Keep your hearing aids dry.  Moisture is one of the primary reasons hearing aids are sent for repair. Take your shower and dry your hair and face thoroughly before putting in the hearing aids. Don’t swim with them on. Open the battery compartment and remove the batteries every night to air them out. If you perspire heavily, a hearing aid sleeve or sweat band are advisable.

·       Dehumidifiers are inexpensive devices that prolong the life of a hearing aid by keeping it dry.

If your hearing aid does not appear to be working correctly make sure that

·         You check to see if it is turned on.

·         Try turning the volume up

·         Replace the battery, making sure that it is properly replaced.

·         Inspect the tubing for signs of wear and tear or breakage.

If you are hearing a lot of static, inspect your hearing aid. This may be because of ear wax. Earwax prohibits the microphone from effectively receiving and transmitting sound. If you are unable to locate any wax on inspection, take it along to your hearing aid center for examination.

The problem of feedback or whistling can occur within the hearing aid itself or an improper fit. It may be because of the following reasons:

·         The internal components are touching

·         The internal tubing is dislodged

·         There is a hole in the vent.

These problems need to be attended to by a professional. If it no longer fits properly you need to see an audiologist for adjustment. Your hearing center should be able to offer you professional help in diagnosing the feedback related problems.

If you notice cracks in the case or damaged tubing contact your hearing center or hearing aid manufacturer immediately. When you buy hearing aids online India, make sure they have a good plan for service and repair.