Hearing loss is a potentially debilitating problem that currently affects approximately 5 percent of the global population. Scientists estimate that, by 2050, nearly 1 in every 10 people may have hearing loss severe enough to affect daily living. At ENT Centers of Texas, we assist individuals with varying degrees of hearing loss with tools like hearing aids.
What Is A Hearing Aid?
A hearing aid is a small electronic device that, when worn in the ear canal, amplifies external sounds.
Candidates for Hearing Aids
Everyone occasionally misunderstands what others may be saying and may ask for clarification. However, people with hearing loss often do this more than they are aware. The request to repeat a statement or question is often more noticeable to those close to the person with hearing loss, such as friends, coworkers, or a spouse.
You may be a good candidate for a hearing aid if:
The voices of others sound as if they are mumbling
It is difficult to understand what someone is saying if their back is to you
You find yourself staring at people’s mouths to help you understand what they say
You need to turn the volume up on the television in order to understand what is said
It is quite normal for people who could benefit from hearing aids to believe their hearing is normal. This is because only certain pitches may be affected. So the person with hearing loss can take in certain sounds but not enough sound to help them hear the various tones and inflections in the voices of others.
What Are The Benefits of Hearing Aids?
Studies indicate that hearing aids offer psychological, social, and physical benefits that then correlate to a better quality of life. Specific ways in which this can happen include:
Being more capable of engaging in conversation with loved ones and colleagues.
Enjoying higher-quality relationships as a result of improved engagement.
Feeling more confident in professional and social situations.
Having a generally better sense of self-esteem.
Increasing productivity at work and a better ability to concentrate on all types of tasks.
Feeling more energetic, independent, and secure.
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
Almost all hearing aids function similarly, regardless of their fit or general style. This device works by taking in sound from one’s immediate environment and sending what comes in through a miniature microphone. This microphone amplifies the sound as it is converted into a digital or electronic signal in a way that meets the wearer’s individual needs. When you come for your consultation at The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas our audiologist will consider many factors and help guide you toward the best hearing aid style for you. For those with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are usually the most common treatment option.
What To Look For When Choosing a Hearing Aid
After a thorough audiology screening, the audiologist discusses what type of hearing aids would be suitable to meet your particular needs. In addition to data from the hearing test, hearing aid selection takes into account your preferences and lifestyle. Most people need a hearing aid for each ear.
The hearing aid options that are suitable are discussed at length, and the hearing care professional answers any questions you may have. Options across various price points can be discussed at this time. Different models of hearing aids may be able to be tried on to help you experience what each feels and sounds like. Once you have decided on the hearing aid that meets your needs, one will be ordered for you. In some cases, it is necessary for the hearing care provider to make impressions of the inner part of the ear for use in the fabrication of custom-fit hearing aids.
Once the hearing aids are delivered to our center, they are programmed using a computer. This ensures that the hearing aids work according to your preferences and degree of hearing loss.
Are There Different Types of Hearing Aids?
There are numerous types of hearing aids that fit into specific categories. These include:
Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids have two parts. One part sits inside the ear canal and the other sits behind the ear. The two parts are connected by a clear, thin tube.
Receiver in the canal (RIC) hearing aids are smaller than the behind-the-ear model and include a nearly invisible wire connecting the hearing aid to a receiver, or tiny amplifier, that is fitted within the ear canal.
In the ear/canal (ITE/ITC) are positioned either completely in the outer ear or at the opening of the ear canal, respectively. Neither of these types of hearing aid has a piece that sits behind the ear.
Completely in the canal (CIC) and invisible in the canal (IIC) hearing aids are situated more deeply in the ear canal, where they are very discreet. This type of hearing aid may not be noticed at all.
Do Hearing Aids Require Special Batteries?
Yes. Your hearing aids may be powered by disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries that can be plugged in overnight as needed. It’s not difficult to find appropriate replacement batteries. We suggest purchasing replacements before you need them!
How Long Will it take for Me to Get Used to My Hearing Aids?
You may know that wearing a hearing aid doesn’t mean your hearing will go back to a completely normal state. Hearing aids work by amplifying sound. There is an adjustment period that your brain has to go through to sort out the information that is coming into the ears. You might find that certain pitches or sounds feel entirely too intense. You might even have to get used to hearing the sound of your own voice through your hearing aids. The sounds of voices and the environment around you may become much more familiar after a few weeks of wearing your hearing aids consistently. Consistent wear is the key here, and, even with that, you may continue getting used to hearing for several months.
Why Should I See an Audiologist Before Getting Hearing Aids?
Hearing loss doesn’t occur in exactly the same way in every case. Your hearing loss is completely unique to you, so it cannot be addressed with full accuracy without some personalization. This is where your audiologist comes in.
An audiologist has special training in the area of hearing. The tests that this professional performs, such as the real-ear measurement, help identify where your hearing loss has occurred and to what extent. Your audiologist can discover if your hearing loss is in your middle ear or inner ear, and can measure the hearing in each ear. This is important because one ear may have significantly better hearing than the other, and this information guides how we program your devices.
In addition to measuring your hearing and adjusting your hearing aids to accommodate your needs, your audiologist can also address tinnitus, ringing in the ears. This condition often coincides with hearing loss, and it may require some special tips or the customization of special programs on your hearing aids.
Getting hearing aids is primarily about helping you be more engaged in your life. That said, the entire experience can be new and somewhat stressful or frustrating. This can be particularly true if you’ve waited a long time to address your hearing loss. Working with an audiologist, you gain the benefit of personal care. Your audiologist can program your hearing aids with lower volume at first, gradually increasing the volume and adjusting other aspects, to ensure that your acclimation goes as smoothly as possible.
Hearing Aid Placement
The way that hearing aids are inserted depends on the type of hearing aid you select. All are easy to use. However, it can take some time to learn how to insert and remove new devices. Your hearing care professional will assist you in learning to use your particular type of hearing aid.
How Often Do Hearing Aids Need To Be Replaced?
Hearing aids can last anywhere from approximately 3 to 7 years. The lifespan of a hearing aid will depend somewhat on the type of device and also on how well the device is maintained over time.
Schedule A Consultation
If you are experiencing hearing loss, call 972.984.1050 to schedule a consultation where one of our audiologists can determine the best treatment for you.
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