Why hearing aids

Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. 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 large vibrations will not be converted into neural signals.

In this situation, a hearing aid would be ineffective. If you think you might have hearing loss and could benefit from a hearing aid, visit your physician, who may refer you to an otolaryngologist or audiologist. An otolaryngologist is a physician who specializes in ear, nose, and throat disorders and will investigate the cause of the hearing loss.

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. 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.

A new 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-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. Some ITE aids may have certain added features installed, such as a telecoil. A telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows users to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, rather than through its microphone.

This makes it easier to hear conversations over the telephone. A telecoil also helps people hear in public facilities that have installed special sound systems, called induction loop systems.

Induction loop systems can be found in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums. 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. 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 may be difficult for a person to adjust and remove. In addition, canal aids have less space available for batteries and additional devices, such as a telecoil. 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.

Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics used. The two main types of electronics are analog and digital. Analog aids convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are amplified.

The aid is programmed by the manufacturer according to the specifications recommended by your audiologist. An audiologist can program the aid using a computer, and you can change the program for different listening environments—from a small, quiet room to a crowded restaurant to large, open areas, such as a theater or stadium.

Analog aids usually are less expensive than digital aids. Digital aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code of a computer, before amplifying them. A narrow tube goes into the canal. Sometimes this style is recommended if you have a lot of earwax or are prone to buildup. In-the-canal ITC is a lightweight plastic shell that sits inside of the canal. Also called completely-in-the-canal CIC , this style is small, minimally visible, and provides no feedback when using the phone.

However, a CIC is more expensive and may cause your voice to sound too loud also known as the occlusion effect. The parts are contained in a shell that fills in the outer part of the ear.

This allows you to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, as opposed to the microphone. It also makes it easier to hear when taking on the phone. The receiver-in-canal RIC style moves the receiver inside the ear canal.

The tube is nearly invisible, and the receiver is very small. Hearing aids work differently depending on the type of electronic used — analog or digital. Both convert sound waves but do so in their own way. Here are a few key differences between analog and digital hearing aids. With an analog hearing aid, the device converts sound waves into electrical signals.

These signals are then amplified. A digital hearing aid converts sound waves to their binary format or numerical codes. These codes are then amplified.

An audiologist can program the device to amplify some frequencies more than others, making this a popular choice for people who want a hearing aid that better matches their needs and listening environments.

The style and type of hearing aid are deciding factors when purchasing a hearing aid. That said, there are other features to keep in mind, including:.

Most manufacturers offer a trial for at least 30 days. That said, some may have nonrefundable fees, so ask about those before leaving the store. Another critical feature is the duration of the warranty and what it covers.

Read the fine print and ask any questions before purchasing. You may also want to consider extending the warranty if this is an option. Be sure to ask about repairs and adjustments. Does the audiologist you purchased the hearing aid from offer free or reduced-cost adjustments or repairs, and for how long?

You may end up with a higher price tag for a hearing aid that comes with ongoing support, but the peace of mind is often worth it. Not all hearing loss is the same. Deciding on the best hearing aid takes some trial and error, but there are a few tricks to ensuring the process goes smoothly. One of the best ways to know if a hearing aid is right for you is to see a doctor and have your hearing tested.

They can provide recommendations for what will work best for your hearing. Once you decide on a style, ask about taking the hearing aids for a test drive. Most companies provide trial periods. But before you leave the store with them, ask for details about the trial period and make sure the product is fully refundable if you decide to return it. Internet and TV ads are full of companies claiming to sell quality hearing aids.

Sounds like clocks ticking, refrigerators, computer noise, and footsteps will seem abnormally loud when first wearing hearing aids. This is normal. Your ability to tune out these insignificant sounds will improve as your brain adjust to hearing these soft sounds. Less interference from a moderate amount of background noise.

Loud background noise is still going to create a difficult listening situation, even with hearing aids. Choosing hearing aids with dual microphones is very important if this situation causes most of your struggle with hearing. Comfortably snug fitting earmolds.

Hearing aids can provide much help in communication, but the process does require a period of adjustment on the part of the wearer. Knowing what to expect can help immensely with your adjustment process. We encourage you to work with our hearing aid team to learn about this adjustment period and the benefits you should expect.

One-third or more of adults aged 65 or older have some degree of age-related hearing loss. This type of hearing loss happens so gradually that many do not notice until it becomes a serious problem.