Getting started
Hearing Aid is needed by the people older than 45 who have about a one in a five chance they suffer from some kind of a hearing loss and as they grow older that rate increases also.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, almost one-third of people ages 65 to 74 have reported difficulties with hearing.
Hearing loss is not to be neglected. It is a serious problem that can cause people to avoid social activities like hanging out in restaurants or clubs.
Hearing problems also cause people to be less aware of their surroundings and increase the likelihood of falls because their balance is impaired.
Driving can also be dangerous when suffering from a hearing loss. Some recent studies have shown that hearing loss that is not cured or treated can be linked to developing dementia.
Causes of Hearing Loss
The most common causes of hearing loss come from damages to the inner ear.
The inner ear contains little hair cells that transfer sound into impulses and those impulses are then carried to the brain by nerve cells.
Aging is the most common cause of hearing loss, followed by constant and long-term exposure to loud noises like concerts, lawnmowers, and airports.
Genetics also plays a significant role, meaning that people who have a family history with this problem are more likely to suffer from it.
Another type of hearing loss is when there is damage to the middle or outer ear. This type can be caused by impacted earwax, built-up fluid remained from an ear infection, or from the usage of certain medications.
The first step you should undertake if you suspect a hearing problem is to visit a doctor. The best would be to see a specialist, that is, an otolaryngologist.
The doctor will check for symptoms, and if none of the basic symptoms are found you will be referred to an audiologist who will then investigate the problem in more depth.
Hearing Aid
Dead hair cells cannot be brought back to life nor repaired. The only help can be seen in the form of hearing aids and other hearing devices.
They improve the ability to hear and to lead some kind of a normal life. Some suggestions and recommendations of hearing aids are listed and discussed in the following sentences.
Digital Hearing Aids
New modern digital hearing aids have microphones that transfer sound to a computer chip, which alleviates the volume and intensifies the frequencies required to help improve hearing.
Older hearing aids just intensified the volume on every noise and sound. Digital hearing aids can also be programmed to remove wind and other disturbing background sounds.
Some other interesting features are the ability to sync up with smartphones via Bluetooth. This enables people to hear calls through the hearing aid and to use the phone to adjust the aid’s settings.
“Hearing Loop” is also a very interesting new technology. A tiny coiled wire in the aid picks up a magnetic signal and transfers the sound into the ear.
Smaller size in aids is another innovation. You can find aids that fit in the ear canal and are barely visible. This kind of technology has fewer benefits for the wearer because it lacks a lot of important features that other devices possess.
If you have problems hearing, but those problems are not so significant and serious, you can find various acceptable and relatively affordable listening devices to assist you in hearing.
Those devices have apps which amplify sound using your smartphone and earbobs, and mobile wireless devices that allow you to listen to TV and other audio devices with earphones.
You can also find amplified, flashing, or vibrating versions of basic household items such as telephones, alarm clocks, and doorbells.
These listening aids for smartphones and other electronics can be found at many websites. Their prices go from $80 to $90.
Most devices range from $1,000 to $6,000.
Private insurance companies and Medicare do not cover hearing aid costs but people should check their health plan to see what they can get. Veterans have some benefits and may also get it for free at their local Veterans Affairs facility.
Personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs)
These products are less functional and have fewer features than hearing aids.
The basic technology is similar, but the lack of those important features is crucial. People with mild hearing loss may find these products as a cheaper solution.
They can be found on the internet and in some larger retail shops.
People who buy Personal sound amplifiers should be aware of the fact that these products are not under the same safety standards as hearing aids. They are aimed for people who want to intensify certain sounds and not for people with serious hearing loss.
Personal sound amplifiers vary from behind-the-ear models to in-ear models, which are said to intensify hard to hear noises, mild voices, and at the same time they are lowering the volume on loud noises.
Behind-the-ear models range from $25 to $500, while in-ear models cost from $375and go even higher.
The best is to ask your audiologist for advice on which to choose.
Assistive Listening Devices
If you have problems hearing, but those problems are not so significant and serious, you can find various acceptable and relatively affordable listening devices to assist you in hearing.
Those devices have apps which amplify sound using your smartphone and earbobs, and mobile wireless devices that allow you to listen to TV and other audio devices with earphones.
You can also find amplified, flashing, or vibrating versions of basic household items such as telephones, alarm clocks, and doorbells.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]These listening aids for smartphones and other electronics can be found at many websites. Their prices go from $80 to $90.
