How do I know I have a hearing problem? Many times, a person is unaware that they do indeed have a hearing problem. Quite often it is other people that notice that a person is not hearing them. The best way to find out, of course is to be tested by a licensed audiologist. Other indications may be things like asking people to repeat what they say, and turning the TV volume level higher than what is most comfortable for others in the room.
Do all hearing aids require the use of hearing aids? Not all hearing losses require the use of a hearing aid. There are certain types of hearing loss that can be repaired or restored by surgery or medicine. This is something the audiologist can guide you with. If the hearing test shows you may have a correctable problem, the audiologist will refer you to a medical doctor who specializes in ears, nose and throat disorders. These physicians are called Otolaryngologists, or ENT doctors.
Is the free hearing test at the mall or drugstore the same as the test I would get at the audiologist's office? Typically, the hearing testing you get at the mall or the drugstore is not conducted by a licensed audiologist. Also, many times the testing is not in a controlled environment like a sound treated booth. It would be more accurate to say that the tests at the store are screening tests, and certainly are not diagnostic tests. A diagnostic Audiology test battery includes more than just listening to tones. You can look at the components of a diagnostic test battery on this website.
Will wearing a hearing aid make my hearing get worse? No. In fact, using amplification for your hearing problem as soon as you notice it will keep your listening skills sharper than if you waited until your hearing was much worse. Also, all hearing aids have maximum output values to insure that they cannot get so loud that they will cause you damage.
Why are hearing aids so expensive? The short answer is that they are really not expensive compared to other medical and health related devices. Hearing aids seem costly because you generally have to pay for the device and all the years that you will use it up front. Compared to other consumer items, hearing aids in adjusted current dollars are less expensive than they were 20 years ago, and are much better in quality and performance. The per hour cost of wearing hearing aids, including the cost of the battery, is about the same as watching cable television, and much less than talking on the phone. Unlike computers, the worldwide market for hearing aids is very small, and the money that the manufacturer spends on research and development of these wonderful devices is expensive and is also reflected in the purchase price.
Why there is such a big cost difference in hearing aids from brand to brand? Like any other product that you buy, there are quality and performance differences. The problem with hearing aids is that the buyer cannot tell by looking at a hearing instrument whether it is a good quality one or not. Some of the better companies actually spend their own resources to do scientific research to make hearing aids that address the complexities of hearing impairment in the real world. This increases the cost. Other companies use off the shelf technologies, or designs that are more ready made and cost less to produce. Choosing a quality hearing aid is something that your audiologist is trained to help you with.
Do I need a hearing aid for both ears? In most cases the answer is a resounding YES! If you have hearing loss in both ears, and most people do, wearing a hearing aid in each ear is very important. It will sound better, and it will help you better in background noise, and also you will be able to locate where a sound is coming from. There are sound scientific reasons why you should amplify both ears if you have hearing loss in both ears.
Most people I know say that their hearing aids don’t work, or are noisy. Is this true? There are many reasons why people feel that they do not benefit from using their hearing aids. It may be the kind of hearing aid they are using, or the way that it is fitted that may be wrong for the individual. Also, a person who does not wear their hearing aids consistently will not readily adapt to them or perceive complete benefit from using them. It takes time for the brain to process sound from the hearing aid, especially in noisy environments. Also, some hearing losses respond better to amplification than others. Current technologies in hearing aids have components in their design that help a person hear voices better in background noise. Remember, it is a noisy world, and even those with normal hearing have trouble in background noise.
How common is a hearing loss? Approximately one out of three individuals over age 65 has a hearing loss.
How does hearing loss affect individuals? While each hearing loss is unique, most people share common results from their hearing loss. They often feel isolated from their surroundings, friends, and family. They often complain of appearing incompetent or feeling insecure.
What should I do if I or a loved one has a hearing loss? The first step should be a professional hearing examination performed by an audiologist. This will help to determine the level and type of your hearing loss. Proper treatment with either hearing aids or a referral for medical attention will be recommended. With today’s modern technology, many hearing losses can be corrected successfully with hearing aids. Unfortunately, only one-fourth of those people who could benefit from hearing aids actually do so.
How do hearing aids work? Hearing aids fill the gap created by a hearing loss by receiving and amplifying sound. While there are many types of hearing aid technology, the four basic components common to them all are: 1) a microphone, which receives sound and translates it into electrical impulses; 2) an amplifier, which makes those electrical impulses stronger; 3) a receiver, which translates those now-stronger impulses into louder sounds; and 4) a battery, which serves as a power source for the whole system. Hearing aids vary widely in their styles, sizes, and levels of circuit technology. Your audiologist will help you to choose the hearing aid style and circuitry that is right for your hearing loss and lifestyle.
What sort of changes or adaptations is necessary to use hearing aids? First, you need to understand that it is not possible for hearing aids to completely restore your hearing to normal. What hearing aids can do are enhancing sound and thus allow you to hear better. Since hearing loss is gradual, over the years you may have become unaccustomed to normal environmental sounds such as traffic noise, the hum of a refrigerator or air conditioner, nature sounds, or background conversation. Therefore, when you begin to wear a hearing aid, it is necessary to re-educate your brain to practice selective listening and to learn once again to choose only those sounds which you wish to hear while ignoring the rest.
It is important that you wear your hearing aids as much as possible. This is the best way for you to get used to the hearing aids and the way they work. This also helps you to become more skilled at recognizing sound direction and using visual clues in difficulty hearing environments.
Patience is the key. Your friends and family can be very helpful in the whole process. Encourage them to speak to you in a normal voice without over-enunciating or over-emphasizing their lip movements. Your family and friends can be very helpful to you as you become accustomed to your new hearing aids. If, for some reason, you continue to find the adjustments to be difficulty, your audiologist will be happy to answer any questions which you may have and help you to solve any of your hearing-related problems.
