The Best Hearing Aids Are An Individual Choice

You may think that buying the ‘best’ hearing aid available, and probably the most expensive, ensures you are getting the ‘best’ one for you. It appears to be the right principle. So, what is wrong with the idea? What is ‘best’ for you may not necessarily be the most advanced or the most expensive. What is generally ‘best’, is to buy the hearing aid that most suits what you need and this depends on the kind of hearing loss you are suffering. Different types of hearing loss require different types of hearing aid. Some being more suitable for certain conditions than others. Here is some information on the different conditions and aid available. It may help you choose which one is really the ‘best’ for you.

Conductive Hearing Loss is one of the most common conditions. It is when the sound cannot travel from the outer ear to the inner ear. There are various reasons why this occurs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss is more serious than Conductive hearing Loss but it can be helped by a hearing aid. Problems with the nerves could be the cause. The signal from the inner ear cannot be passed to the brain. Mixed Hearing Loss is when someone is suffering from a combination of both these conditions.

The aids we are most familiar with are the BTE, a Behind the Ear and the ITE, an In The Ear. They amplify sounds and are suitable for most kinds of hearing loss. Analogue and Digital aids are available, the Analogue being the cheaper option. Today, the Digital is becoming more popular because of its superior sound quality and extra add-on features. More people are opting for extra features, dual microphone systems & channel selection, which allows the user to switch from one setting to another, depending on their environment.

Also available is the telecoil, this allows the hearing aid to be used with a telephone. Hearing Aids are available that can be surgically implanted, the whole unit or in part. They are designed for those with serious or chronic hearing loss and have their advantages, and disadvantages. It will not work if the middle ear is damaged and is designed for those suffering sensorineural hearing loss. If you think this option might be right for you, you should talk to a doctor.

The most recent design of hearing aid relies on a different kind of science. Earglasses sit behind the ear and do not incorporate any electronics at all, therefore, do not need a power supply. They work through the principals of Acoustics and can magnify sound up to twelve decibels. It amplifies sound in a similar kind of principle to when you cup your hand around your ear! It is not for those with serious hearing loss.

Remember that reputable suppliers of hearing aids offer a thirty or sixty day trial. This is a good idea because it gives you time to try the unit and make sure it really is the ’best’ for you.

Custom Hearing Device For The Individual

What happens if a basic hearing aid is not good enough for your needs? There are more sophisticated aids available that can be pre-set. They have a lot more choices available. Hearing loss affects people in different ways and they are far more adaptable to the individual’s needs. Although they are more expensive it is your hearing that is important. If it means that you hearing will be improved then the investment will be worth it. There are several additional properties that are found on the more technically advanced models.

The majority of us who suffer hearing loss almost always notice a problem with the higher frequencies. This means the aids do not react to high pitched sounds that make most people squirm. Units are available that can specifically select which frequencies to pick up and which ones to discard. Digital aids not only adjust the frequencies but there are other qualities that can be set. It is similar to the graphic equalizer on a stereo. This property changes from one hearing device to another. The more sophisticated it is, the more flexible the control.

There are hearing devices that can be preset or customized to suit different surroundings. The surroundings in a library are different to that of a factory. The problem with just turning the volume up or down is that you may also remove or amplify unwanted sounds as well as the sounds you do want. With the personalized hearing devices you can pick and choose. Digital aids have dual microphones. One picks up sounds in front of you and the other picks up all the rest. It has a microchip that can analyze the sounds. It then automatically selects between wanted and unwanted frequencies. Great for disregarding noisy background sounds while letting you hear someone speaking in front of you. A switch on the unit lets you change between settings. There are also units available that work by remote control.

Feedback can be a big problem with analogue units. Although it can usually be resolved by adjusting the volume this can change all levels of sound. The advantage with a digital unit is the microchip recognizes the feedback. It the removes it without removing wanted sounds. The microchip is only used in the digital aid it is not available in either the analogue or programmable analogue aid.

Telecoils are another ‘add on’ feature available. It directly attaches your hearing aid to a telephone, cutting out background noise in the room. You must have a telephone that is compatible with this equipment so it is always a good idea to check before you buy.

There are many customizable and add on features available. Talk to your audiologist before you select. Make sure you get the custom hearing device that is right for your unique requirements.

How Do Hearing Aids Work With Sound?

How can a little device like a hearing aid, simply popped into you ear, produce sound? Loss of hearing really does affect your life. With the help of electronics you can improve your hearing. This is the way to get your life back to as normal as possible. There are many different models available. The basic principle of how they function is the same. They pick up sound and amplify it so you can hear. All hearing aids have a microphone, a receiver, electronics, and a battery to power it. The more modern devices allow more personalized settings.

Analogue aids simply make the sounds it picks up louder. Loudness is controlled by the wearer. Programmable analogue aids have more options than the basic analogue model. These can be preset by an audiologist. It will be done according to what you want. For example, you may want a setting for the cinema, or both quiet and noisy backgrounds. You can change these by a switch located on the device. Digital hearing aids use a more advanced technology that analyzes sounds first. It is then adjusted to the preferences of the wearer. They are more pricy than the analogue devices. With analogue, programmable analogue and digital units, they all send the sounds to a receiver. This is found inside the inner ear.

BTE’s are located behind the ear. A unit is placed behind the ear and impels the sounds to an ear mold inside the ear. The two are connected by a discreet tube. In the Ear – ITE’s do not have a unit outside the ear. They are smaller and fit entirely inside the inner ear. Although they are more fragile, they have more choices available. Like a Telecoil, this enables the unit to be used with a telephone. In the Canal aids – ITC and Completely in The Canal – CIC’s are worn inside the ear canal itself. These are the tiniest and can be precisely set to the person’s needs. A ‘Bone Conduction’ hearing aid is surgically implanted and works differently to the others. This is for those suffering severe hearing loss, and when the ear canal is blocked or damaged irreparably.

The ‘Bone Conduction’ aid picks up sounds via a microphone. It does not send the signal to a receiver inside the ear. It passes the sounds to an ‘oscillator’ that sits next to the skull, connected to the auditory nerve. These vibrations are understood by the brain as sounds. This type of hearing aid is only used as a last resort. They are only given to those who have no other choice. Consult your audiologist if you think you need a hearing aid. They will be able to advise you on which model suits your particular needs.

Signs Of Hearing Loss Are Consistent

Do you think you may be experiencing some loss of hearing? There are several signs that could indicate you are. Do you have to ask people to say something more than once? Is it hard to have a conversation in setting that is noisy? Do you have a ringing in your ears in a quiet environment? These may be signs of a gradual change in your level of hearing. You may not always notice straight away and often not until it has become problematic in your everyday life. There are some common indications that you could be suffering from hearing loss.

Are you always wishing people would speak up or that they mumble? You may eve believe they are not speaking properly. Take a breath and realize that it could be you with the problem. You may be experiencing loss of hearing. Others may notice that you always have the volume of the television or stereo up high but to you it is normal. It may be a good idea to get a hearing test done and stop blaming it on that old equipment…

You may have grown used to asking those around you to repeat what they say. Are you regularly misunderstanding people? If you have to rely more on facial expression and body language to understand others it may be your hearing. These are very real indications of possible loss of hearing.

Have you worked regularly with firearms, in a factory or with power tools? These can be very noisy environments. If you have failed to use ear plugs there is a chance your hearing has suffered. Do you always listen to very loud music? Is the home cinema essential? All these things can take their toll over time..

Is it difficult to follow a conversation in a group? Do you find it exhausting trying to keep up? This could make you feel more nervous or stressed, in social situations, because you can’t keep up with what’s going on.

Is there a history of hearing problems in your family? It can be hereditary. This could mean you are susceptible. Heart, circulatory or thyroid problems could also mean you are more at risk. Diabetes can also lead to problems.

If you suffer from frequent ear infections or dizziness it might not be down to accumulated ear wax. Some problems are caused by disease as opposed to environment.

Loss of hearing can affect your work, social and family life. It is not just a health issue. If any of this seems familiar to you and you think you may be experiencing loss of hearing then consult your doctor. Like any other condition, the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner it can be dealt with. Do not ignore the signs because advanced help is available.