Hearing Aids

What are hearing aids?

Hearing loss affects nearly 30 million people in the US each year. Hearing aids can help improve hearing and speech especially in persons with sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss in the inner ear due to damaged hair cells or a damaged hearing nerve). Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by noise, injury, infection, aging, certain medications, birth defects, tumors, problems with blood circulation or high blood pressure, and stroke.

Hearing aids are battery-powered electronic devices that amplify sounds in the environment.  As a sound occurs in the environment the microphone receives the sound and converts it into a digital signal. Based on the individual’s hearing loss and the type of sound that occurred, it will be either amplified if deemed necessary or reduced in volume if  the hearing aid processor determines it is a type of sound (such as background noise) that does not need to be emphasized.

What are the different types of hearing aids?

The type of hearing aid recommended for the individual depends on the person's home and work activities, his/her physical limitations and medical condition, personal preference and degree of hearing loss. There are many different types of hearing aids on the market, with companies continuously inventing newer, improved hearing aids everyday. However, there are three basic types of hearing aids available today. Consult your audiologist for additional information on each of the following types:

Custom hearing aids	An ear impression is taken of the individual’s ear and then is sent to the manufacturer for a custom hearing aid to be made. Custom hearing aids fit into the ear canal and also may fill portions of the outer ear. These hearing aids, depending on the size selected, can fit a variety of degrees of hearing loss. Because the hearing aids are in the ear canal they are more susceptible to damage due to ear wax and drainage from the ear.
"Open" fitted hearing aids	“Open” fitted hearing aids use two main components: a small dome with sound tubing and a behind-the-ear hearing aid. These hearing aids are recommended for individuals with hearing loss mainly in the higher pitches (frequencies). Because the ear canal is not completely filled, patient’s report less feeling of talking in a barrel.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids	Behind-the-ear hearing aids are worn behind the ear. This type of hearing aid connects to a plastic earmold inside the outer ear. The sound is processed in the hearing aid and then is transferred to the ear canal through the sound tubing and earmold. These hearing aids are general used in young children and for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.

Who may be a candidate for hearing aids?

Anyone who has hearing loss that may be improved with hearing aids can benefit from these devices. The type of hearing aid recommended may depend on several factors, including, but not limited to:

•  the shape of the outer ear (deformed ears may not accommodate behind-the-ear hearing aids)

• depth of depression near the ear canal (too shallow ears may not accommodate in-the-ear hearing aids)

• the type and severity of hearing loss

• the manual dexterity of the individual to remove and insert hearing aids

• the amount of wax build-up in the ear (excessive amounts of wax or moisture may prevent use of in-the-ear hearing aids)

• ears that require drainage may not be able to use certain hearing aid models

Wearing a hearing aid:

Once the hearing aids have been fitted for the ears, the individual should begin to gradually wear the hearing aid. Because hearing aids do not restore normal hearing, it may take time to get used to the different sounds transmitted by the device. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends the following when beginning to wear hearing aids:

• Be patient and give yourself time to get used to the hearing aid and the sound it produces.

• Start in quiet surroundings and gradually build up to noisier environments.

• Experiment where and when the hearing aid works best for you.

•  Keep a record of any questions and concerns you have, and bring those to your follow-up examination.

Hearing instrument circuitry:

Digital technology allows for the most flexibility of all hearing instrument circuits. It offers a clearer, more natural sound to the hearing aid wearer. A digital hearing instrument can be adjusted by your audiologist at each frequency, specific to your individual hearing deficit with his/her computer. This results in a more precise fitting. Giving you, the hearing aid user, a more natural, comfortable sound. Digital signal processing adjusts for changes of incoming sounds, allowing for improved hearing and greater comfort in a larger number of listening environments. Manual volume controls are not generally needed on digital hearing instruments. They adjust themselves to provide the appropriate amount of enhancement according to the surroundings. Digital hearing instruments may also contain features to improve the understanding of speech in the presence of noise and reduce steady-state noises (i.e., refrigerator) in the environment.
 

Taking care of hearing aids:

• Hearing aids need to be kept dry. Methods for cleaning hearing aids vary depending on the style and shape. Other tips for taking care of hearing aids include: 

•  Keep the hearing aids away from heat.

• Batteries should be replaced on a regular basis.

• Avoid the use of hairspray and other hair products when the hearing aid is in place.

• Hearing aids typically need to be replaced after about five years.

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