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A hearing aid is a battery-operated electronic device that enables improved communications by amplifying and changing sound. The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts the sound to electrical signals. In addition to increasing the volume, the hearing aid can be programmed to change the nature of the sound to compensate for the hearing deficiencies of the hearing aid wearer. The amplifier increases the volume of the electrical signals and transmits the sounds through the speaker and to the ear.
Hearing loss is a common health condition affecting approximately 28 million people in the United States. It affects people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic status. Hearing loss affects approximately 17 out of 1,000 children under the age of 18. The incidence of hearing loss increases with age, and approximately 314 in 1,000 people over the age of 65 have hearing loss. Hearing loss can be caused by trauma, disease, or long-term exposure to loud noise. Hearing loss can also be hereditary. In some cases, hearing loss is caused by certain medications. Hearing loss can also be caused by buildup of earwax, fluid in the middle ear, or infection.
Hearing loss can vary from mild to severe, up to a total loss of hearing. The loss of hearing can affect the volume of all sounds, or the loss can be restricted to certain types of sounds.
You may or may not be aware if you are experiencing hearing loss. Are you experiencing any of these symptoms of hearing loss?
- Do you have difficulty hearing conversations? You may experience this difficulty only when there is background noise, as in a loud restaurant.
- Do you get tired or frustrated by trying to hear others?
- Do you hear ringing, hissing, roaring or other noises that are not there?
- Do you have difficulty hearing the television, radio, or stereo at normal volumes?
- Do others in your household complain about the volume you listen to entertainment?
- Do you experience dizziness or problems with your balance?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or other hearing related problems, see your physician. Your physician my diagnose your problem and/or may refer you to a otolaryngologist or an audiologist. An otolaryngologist is an ear, nose and throat specialist, who may be able to provide a diagnosis. An audiologist is a professional who tests and measures hearing. They will be able to assess the range and severity of your hearing impairment.
Here are some questions that you probably want to get the answers to:
Most people only purchase a hearing aid at the recommendation of their physician or audiologist. The doctor's recommendation will also be important if you are hoping to get all or part to the cost of the hearing aid paid for by your insurance plan. Ultimately, whether or not you wear a hearing aid is a personal decision. If your hearing is impaired, consider that a hearing aid may help you communicate more effectively with your friends and family, and help you to function better at work and in your life. If you are concerned with cost, first find out what the price ranges are and how much your insurance might pay. If you are concerned about appearance, you should check out the new generations of hearing aids that are smaller and less visible than you might imagine.
Many hearing aids sold today are smaller than ever. Hearing aids have also become very complex, and some are actually tiny computers. This enables an audiologist to program a hearing aid highly to compensate for your specific hearing loss.
Hearing aids can be implanted directly into the skull, bypassing the audio canal and creating sound by stimulating the nerves in the inner ear.
Directional microphones enable users to better focus on conversation partnets while they are in noisey environments. Wireless technologies are used to communicate instructions from one hearing aid to the other, and to communicate sound from wireless microphones directly to the hearing aid.
Selecting a hearing aid is an important process that can dramatically improve your life. It is also a complicated decision that needs to take into account your diagnosis, professional recommendations, a range of products and technologies, and the interplay of your hearing with specific products. We have defined 11 factors to take into consideration when deciding. We've also listed 4 features that may be of interest to you.
We hope this guide helps you decide. When you decide on a specific model of hearing aid, you can refer to the Hearing Aid Provider section of the buying guide. It details a number of options that you have for buying a hearing aid and having it fitted and programmed to meet your needs.