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Living with hearing problems can be an inconvenience and yet so many people continue to put up with their problems without seeking a solution. In the last few years, the technology and knowledge of hearing health has advanced drastically. Due to this, those with hearing problems can reap the rewards! If you would like to learn more about hearing aids and audiology, you can call Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids at 605-306-5756. Our team of dedicated audiologists are on hand to deal with your needs.
Behind The Ear Hearing Aids
Behind the ear hearing aids are the most common type.
Theyre made up of a small plastic device that sits behind your ear.
This is attached with a tube to a piece of plastic that fits in your ear or a soft tip that goes into the opening of your ear .
BTE hearing aids are one of the easiest types to use and are suitable for most people with hearing loss. Theyre available in a range of colours.
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Causes Of Hearing Loss
Despite what you might think, old age is not the only reason a person experiences hearing loss. Sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss have a variety of causes.
Sensorineural hearing loss represents about 9 in 10 cases of reported hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss is the most common form of SNHL, and noise-induced hearing loss is the second.
The second most common type of hearing loss is called conductive. This is when something physically blocks or damages the ear and keeps sound from reaching the inner ear.
Ever had a bad ear infection and had to suffer through muffled underwater sounds till it got better? Thats a good example of conductive hearing loss. A few others include water blocking your ear, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or just too much wax in there.
Conductive hearing loss isnt usually permanent. It often gets better once you address the underlying problem. Its often hard to figure out what that problem is without consulting a general practitioner or an audiologist.
Finally, you may be suffering from mixed hearing loss. This is when sensorineural and conductive hearing loss happens at the same time. Again, getting your hearing tested will be the first step in figuring out whats causing the problem.
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Considerations When Purchasing A Hearing Aid
A medical examination is required before purchasing a hearing aid. Hearing aids can be purchased from an otolaryngologist , an audiologist , or an independent company. Styles and prices vary widely. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders recommends asking the following questions when buying hearing aids:
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Can the hearing loss be improved with medical or surgical interventions?
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Which design will work best for my type of hearing loss?
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May I “test” the hearing aids for a certain period?
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How much do hearing aids cost?
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Do the hearing aids have a warranty and does it cover maintenance and repairs?
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Can my audiologist or otolaryngologist make adjustments and repairs?
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Can any other assistive technological devices be used with the hearing aids?
Referral To A Specialist
Your GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist or an audiologist . The specialist will carry out further hearing tests to help determine what’s causing your hearing loss and recommend the best course of treatment.
Some of the hearing tests you may have include a:
- tuning fork test
- pure tone audiometry
These tests are described below.
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Youve Suffered A Head Injury Or Accident
Sudden and violent head injuries, such as those resulting from car accidents or blows to the head, can result in hearing loss. Internal trauma can damage auditory pathways to the brain, which affects the way sound is received. The brain can be good at compensating for this kind of injury, but a hearing test can help you understand if a head injury has resulted in hearing loss.
Hearing Loss In Adults: Differential Diagnosis And Treatment
THOMAS C. MICHELS, MD, MPH, Olympic Medical Center, Port Angeles, Washington
Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jul 15 100:98-108.
More than 30 million U.S. adults, or nearly 15% of all Americans, have some degree of hearing loss.1 It is most common in older adults, occurring in about one-half of adults in their 70s and 80% of those 85 years and older.1,2 Despite this high prevalence, hearing loss is underdetected and undertreated. Only about one-third of people with self-reported hearing loss have ever had their hearing tested, and only 15% of people eligible for hearing aids consistently use them, citing factors such as cost, difficulty using them, and social stigma.1,3,4
WHAT IS NEW ON THIS TOPIC
The FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 allows direct-to-consumer sale of hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, for which limited outcome studies show improved hearing, communication, and social engagement. The cost of over-the-counter hearing aids is expected to range from approximately $200 to $1,000 compared with $800 to $4,000 for conventional hearing aids.
Among patients with dementia in a U.S. population-based longitudinal cohort study, the use of hearing aids was associated with decreased social isolation and a slower rate of cognitive decline, even after adjusting for multiple confounders.
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How To Get Help
The first step to better hearing is to schedule an appointment with a hearing healthcare professional for a hearing evaluation. This initial test acts as a baseline for future examinations so your professional can accurately monitor your hearing health going forward. Get started by visiting our professional directory to find a hearing aid clinic near you.
Measuring Decibels And Perceived Volume
A linear scale is more relatable for most people as we often encounter it in our daily lives. An example of a linear scale is a ruler measuring distance. The markings on a ruler are of equal distance to one another, making them linear.
A logarithmic scale is not linear and represents exponents of a base number. You might remember exponents from maths class in school. An example is 5 to the power of 2, where 5 is the number and 2 is the exponent explaining how many times to use the number in a multiplication. In which case it is 5 x 5 = 25.
In the case of decibels , for every 10-dB rise, there is a 10-fold increase in sound intensity, and we perceive this as being 2-times louder in volume.
The below table shows the logarithmic scale in more detail.
| Percieved Volume | ||
|---|---|---|
| 10 times the sound intensity | 2 times as loud | |
| Whisper at 1 m distance | 20 dB | |
| 1,000 | 8 | Unlimited |
| 4096 | 9 seconds |
A normal face-to-face conversation is about 60 dB. The siren from an ambulance is about 120dB, and its unsafe to listen to up close for longer than 9 seconds.
The increase in sound intensity or the extra energy it takes to produce the sound from 60 dB, and 120 dB is 1-million times! And you would perceive the volume increase as being 64 times louder.
All of this might sound a little complicated, but dont worry, it sometimes confuses the best of us! The important things to remember are:
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How Is Hearing Loss Diagnosed
The very first step of the journey is to take a detailed medical history and fill out a lifestyle questionnaire. This will help us identify if there is a potential cause of the hearing loss and also understand your needs and requirements. Next we use video-otoscopy to take images and check the health of the outer ear canal and tympanic membrane or eardrum. This will also indicate if it is safe to proceed with further tests.
We then determine how well you process sound by performing speech tests and recording your responses to a series of different word lists.
As the number one reason for booking a hearing test is trouble hearing in noise, we then perform what is probably the most important test of all, a speech in noise test. This is where a recorded series of sentences is played through headphones or ear inserts and you respond by repeating what you think that sentence is. The number of words correctly repeated is recorded. Each subsequent sentence has more background noise to replicate the real life situations you find yourself in. The results of all our speech tests give a percentage score of your ability to hear.
The next test is the main reason for booking in the first place, the audiometric test. This is performed in a soundproof booth or soundproof room.
All of our fundamental tests may determine further tests or consultations are required depending on results and treatment plans suggested.
Why Is My Hearing Aid Not Covered By Insurance
These life-changing devices can make you more independent and connect with the world around you. However, insurance providers often view hearing aids as a risky investment. Basically, they don’t always consider hearing aids a safe bet. To them, hearing aids are expensive and can get lost easily, making them risky for insurance companies who want your money but not any claims that may arise from it in the future. They also cite that Hearing Aids may require costly repairs or replacements every five years.
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Can My Friends And Family Help Me
You and your family can work together to make living with hearing loss easier. Here are some things you can do:
- Tell your friends and family about your hearing loss. The more friends and family you tell, the more people there will be to help you cope with your hearing loss.
- Ask your friends and family to face you when they talk so that you can see their faces. If you watch their faces move and see their expressions, it may help you to understand them better.
- Ask people to speak louder, but not shout. Tell them they do not have to talk slowly, just more clearly.
- Turn off the TV or the radio when you aren’t actively listening to it.
- Be aware of noise around you that can make hearing more difficult. When you go to a restaurant, for example, don’t sit near the kitchen or near a band playing music. Background noise makes it hard to hear people talk.
Working together to hear better may be tough on everyone for a while. It will take time for you to get used to watching people as they talk and for people to get used to speaking louder and more clearly. Be patient and continue to work together. Hearing better is worth the effort.
Hearing Aids For Mild Hearing Loss
Mostly, people with mild hearing loss and high perceived handicaps are highly recommended to use a hearing aid. It also helps to reduce your problem and gives you a better quality of sound.
Hearing aid wearers with mild hearing loss have more choices of hearing aid types and styles available for them as compared with someone whose hearing loss has progressed to severe. Theyll be able to wear smaller hearing aids their hearing aids dont need to put out as much sound, they will require less frequent battery changes compared to others who need powerful devices.
In case you do not have a hearing device, then it is necessary to know the level of degree of deafness in your ear. To monitor the degree of hearing loss, firstly consult a specialist for a hearing test and know the type of hearing impairment you have. Then, depending on your hearing type, your audiologist will recommend you a hearing device.
You can purchase the latest hearing aids at a fair price through HearingSol, If you need more information or you have a query about Hearing Aid or Hearing Loss, just give us a call on +91-9899437202. We are always here to help you.
For further info
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Do I Need A Hearing Aid Expert Guide From Audiologists
Hearing aids are powerful tools for hearing loss treatment, but very few people who need them use them. According to UK charity HearingLink, around 7 million people could benefit from hearing aids, but only 2 million have them.
Have you started to wonder if youre in that group of 5 million individuals who could see huge benefits from getting a hearing aid? This blog contains all the details you need to help you find out.
Hearing Aids For People Who Are Deaf In One Ear
| BAHA . This type of hearing aid works well in persons with severe unilateral hearing loss. The image to the left, from Prosper hospital, shows how a button is inserted into the bone of the skull above the ear. The middle image is from //www.islandhearing.com/bone_anchored_hearing_aids.htm, by Island Hearing. The device is attached to the button within the skull. It is very unobtrusive . |
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Model Of Hearing Aid:
Although some hearing aids may look the same and be the same type, they may have very different technology inside. The newest and most expensive digital hearing aids come with the most up-to-date features and functions, including bluetooth, telephone compatibility, weather protection, and directional speech enhancements. Obviously the more packed with technology, the higher the price, but you may not actually need a high level of technology with many difficult to operate features. This is why it’s important to look around and assess what you actually need from a hearing aid before purchasing one.
How Do We Hear
Hearing depends on a series of events that change sound waves in the air into electrical signals. Your auditory nerve then carries these signals to your brain through a complex series of steps.
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Sign Language And Lip Reading
If you’ve been deaf from birth or you develop severe hearing loss later in life, it can affect your ability to communicate with other people.
But you can learn different methods of communicating that can be used instead of, or as well as, spoken English.
2 of the main methods are:
- lip-reading where you learn to watch a person’s mouth movements while they’re speaking to understand what they’re saying
- sign language a visual way of communicating using hand gestures, facial expressions and body language
For more information and help, see:
Caring For Your Hearing Aid
Your hearing aids will last much longer if you take good care of them. Some tips to keep in mind:
- Keep them away from heat, moisture, hair care products, children, and pets.
- Clean them as directed.
- Turn off your devices when you are not using them.
- Replace dead batteries right away.
Hearing aid batteries may last from several days to a couple of weeks. Battery life depends on the battery type, hearing aid power requirements, and how often you use it.
In general, hearing aids can last for 3 to 6 years. You may need a new one sooner if your hearing loss gets worse. Behind-the-ear hearing aids give you more flexibility since they can be programmed for a wider range of hearing loss.
Digital hearing aids get stronger and better every few years as computer technology improves. This often prompts people to upgrade their devices.
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How To Choose The Right Hearing Aid In 2021
The world of hearing aids has changed dramatically over the years. With advances in technology, there is a diverse range of options for people who need help hence, it is important to research thoroughly which type will work best with your lifestyle.
A hearing aid is a device that allows the wearer to hear better. It does this by converting sound waves into electrical signals, amplifying them and transmitting them directly into your ear canal so you can enjoy every detail of music or speech with a respectable clarity.
The four main components of hearing aids are the microphone, amplifier, receiver and battery which all work together to help people hear better. Digital models also come equipped with microchips which can store personalised settings based upon individual needs.
Hearing Direct’s website is home to a wide selection of affordabledigital hearing aids. Our five-star review system makes it easy to identify which of our cost-effective hearing aids are the best. That way, you can find a device in your budget that does not compromise on sound quality.
Our whole range includes a set of devices ranging from more basic models to more advanced devices with a greater level of features for you to choose from, including rechargeable hearing aids – no need for all that fiddling around with tiny batteries. Our hearing aids come with a full manufacturer warranty of 12 or 24 months and you will be fully covered by our 30-day money back guarantee.