Tips for Better Hearing Health

• How Our Hearing Works
• Types of Hearing Loss
• Symptoms of Hearing Loss
• Hearing aids - How to choose the right one
• Hearing Instrument Care Tips

How Our Hearing Works

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The improved ability to hear has a tremendous impact on the quality of life for both those with hearing loss and their families. Having a good understanding of how your hearing works and then knowing your options for the best help available through today's advanced hearing aid technology will help you make the right choice in amplification - and to use your new hearing instruments to their fullest potential.

As sound passes through the ear, it sets off a chain reaction that could be compared to the toppling of a row of dominoes. First, the outer ear collects pressure (or sound) waves and funnels them through the ear canal. These vibrations strike the eardrum, then the delicate bones of the middle ear conduct the vibrations to the fluid in the inner ear. This stimulates the tiny nerve endings, called hair cells, which transform the vibrations into electro-chemical impulses. The impulses travel to the brain where they are understood as sounds you recognize.

Types of Hearing Loss

A number of conditions can exist that cause a disruption in the hearing process and lead to hearing loss. The two most common types of hearing loss are sensori neural and conductive.

Sensori Neural Hearing Loss

Sensori-Neural (or "nerve" hearing loss) results from damage to the hair cells, nerve fibers or both in the inner ear. This is the most common type of hearing loss and is often caused by aging or prolonged exposure to noise. It also can be caused by high fever, birth defects and certain drugs. People with sensori neural hearing loss can hear speech, but frequently have difficulty understanding it. The problem is usually compounded when background noise is present. Sensori neural hearing loss is most commonly treated by the use of a hearing instrument, and generally cannot be corrected through surgery or medicine.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss typically involves an obstruction in the outer or middle ear, which reduces transmission of sound vibration through air, bone or tissue to the inner ear. Fortunately, many conductive hearing losses can be treated successfully by medical or surgical procedures. Hearing instruments can also successfully treat conductive hearing loss. Persons with both conductive and sensori-neural hearing loss are commonly referred to as having mixed hearing loss. Most of these cases can be helped by either a hearing instrument or medical intervention.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

You should suspect a hearing loss if you:

1. have a family history of hearing loss
2. have been repeatedly exposed to high noise levels
3. are inclined to believe that "everybody mumbles" or "people don't speak as clearly as they used to"
4. feel growing nervous tension, irritability or fatigue from the effort to hear
5. find yourself straining to understand conversations and watching people's faces intently when you are listening
6. frequently misunderstand or need to have things repeated
7. increase the television or radio volume to a point that others complain of the loudness
8. have diabetes, heart, thyroid, circulation problems, reoccurring ear infections, constant ringing in the ears, dizziness, or exposure to ototoxic drugs or medications

Hearing aids - How to choose the right one

Many types of hearing aids exist. So which is best for you? Find out what to consider when choosing a hearing aid.

Perhaps you've thought about getting a hearing aid, but you're worried about how it will look and wonder whether it will really help. Knowing more about the hearing aid options available to you, what to look for when buying a hearing aid and how to break it in may help alleviate some of your concerns.

Hearing aid styles

All hearing aids contain the same basic parts to carry sound from the environment into your ear. However, hearing aids do come in a number of styles, which differ in size and the way they're placed in your ear. Some are small enough to fit inside your ear canal, making them almost invisible. Others fit partially in your ear canal.

The following are common hearing aid styles.

Completely in the canal (CIC)

Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are molded to fit inside your ear canal and can improve mild to severe hearing loss in adults.

A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid:

• Is the least noticeable in the ear
• Is less likely to pick up wind noise because the ear protects the instrument
• Is easy to use with the telephone
• Uses smaller batteries, which typically don't last as long as larger batteries
• Typically work fully automatic
• May not fit well in smaller ear canals.

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An in-the-canal hearing aid: (ITC)

• An in-the-canal hearing aid fits partly in the ear canal, but not as deeply as the completely-in-the-canal aid. This hearing aid can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults.
• Is minimally visible in the ear
• Is easy to use with the telephone
• Includes features that won't fit on a completely-in-the-canal

Half-shell

A larger version of the in-the-canal hearing aid, the half-shell is custom molded and fills the lower portion of the bowl-shaped area of your outer ear. This style is appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss.

A half-shell hearing aid:

• Includes features noted for in-the-canal hearing aids
• Is bigger than an in-the-canal hearing aid
• Is a little easier to handle than are the smaller hearing aids
• Fits most ears

In the ear (full shell)

An in-the-ear hearing aid:

• Is more visible to others
• May be more likely to pick up wind noise
• Features, such as volume control are easier to adjust
• Is generally easier to insert into the ear
• Uses larger batteries, which typically last longer and are easier to handle

Behind the ear (BTE)

Behind-the-ear hearing aids hook over the top of your ear and rest behind the ear. The hearing aid picks up sound, amplifies it and carries the amplified sound to an ear mold that fits inside your ear canal. This type of aid is appropriate for mild to profound types of hearing loss and for people of all ages.

A behind-the-ear aid:

• Range from large, most visible type of hearing aids, to smaller, streamlined and barely visible versions
• Is capable of more amplification than are other hearing aid styles
• Is less susceptible to ear wax damage

Open fit

These are very small behind-the-ear-style devices. Sound travels from the instrument through a small tube or wire to a tiny dome or speaker in the ear canal. These aids leave the ear canal open, so they are best for mild to moderate high-frequency losses where low-frequency hearing is still normal or near normal.

An open-fit hearing aid:

• Is the most natural sounding
• Is less visible
• Doesn't give a plugged or occluded feeling
• Tends to be the most automatic of all hearing aids

Hearing aid electronics

Hearing aid electronics control how sound is transferred from the environment to your inner ear. All hearing aids amplify sound, making them louder according tom your hearing loss so that you can hear them better. Most hearing aid manufacturers now only produce digital hearing aids — analog hearing aids are being phased out.

With digital technology, a computer chip converts the incoming sound into digital code, then analyzes and adjusts the sound based on your hearing loss, listening needs and the level of the sounds around you. The signals are then converted back into sound waves and delivered to your ears. The result is sound that's finely tuned to your hearing loss and listening preferences. Digital hearing aids are available in all styles and price ranges.

Hearing aid options
Some hearing aid options improve your ability to hear in specific situations:

Directional microphones.

These microphones pick up sounds coming from in front of you better than coming from behind or beside you. This technology improves your ability to hear when you're in an environment with a lot of background noise. Typically you'll have both a regular microphone and a directional microphone, so you can switch between the two types. Some hearing aids automatically switch between the regular and directional modes.

Telephone adapters.

This technology, also referred to as telecoil T switches, makes it easier to hear when talking on the telephone. The telecoil eliminates the sounds from your environment and only picks up the sounds from the telephone. Some hearing aids switch automatically when the phone is held up to the hearing aid, while others require flipping a switch.

Bluetooth technology.

Some new hearing aids can transmit sound from Bluetooth devices, such as Bluetooth cell phones. These hearing aids require an interface that wirelessly picks up the Bluetooth signal from Bluetooth compatible devices and transmits the signal to the hearing aid. You don't have to hold the phone to your ear or hearing aid to hear the sounds.

Remote controls.

Some hearing aids use a remote control that makes volume control adjustments or other changes without touching the hearing aid. The remote may also make other adjustments, such as activating the directional microphone or increasing the noise reduction. Some hearing aids can actually use your telephone or cell phone as a remote control.

Before and after the purchase: Steps to take

When looking for a hearing aid, explore your options to understand what type of hearing aid will work best for you. Also:

• Get a checkup. See your doctor to rule out correctable causes of hearing loss, such as earwax, an infection or a tumor, and have your hearing tested by a hearing specialist.
• Contact a reputable hearing specialist. A good hearing specialist works with you to find a hearing aid that best fits your needs and desires. This person will test and evaluate your hearing for you take an impression of your ear canal, choose the most appropriate aid and adjust the device to fit well.
• Ask about a trial period. A hearing aid should come with an adaptation period. It may take you 1- months to get used to the device and decide if it's useful. Have the seller put in writing the cost of a trial and whether this amount is credited toward the final cost of the hearing aid.
• Check for a warranty. Make sure the hearing aid includes a warranty that covers both parts and labor for a specified amount of time.
• Beware of misleading claims. Hearing aids can't restore normal hearing or eliminate all background noise. Beware of advertisements or salespeople who claim otherwise.
  Plan for the expense. The cost of hearing aids varies widely — from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Professional fees, remote controls and other hearing aid options may cost extra. Talk to your hearing specialist about your needs and expectations. If cost is an issue, good instruments are still available at reasonable prices. Some private insurance policies cover part or all of the cost of hearing aids, but you need to check with your policy to be sure. Medicare doesn't cover the cost of hearing aids.

After the purchase: Breaking in your hearing aid

When first using a hearing aid, keep these points in mind:

• Although hearing aids can make a substantial improvement in your life, hearing aids won't return your hearing to normal.
• Allow time to get used to the hearing aid. It may take several weeks or months before you're used to the hearing aid. But the more you use it, the more quickly you'll adjust to amplified sounds.
  Over time you'll adjust to the device and enjoy your enhanced ability to hear and communicate in a variety of situations. By wearing your hearing aid regularly and taking good care of it, you'll likely notice significant improvements in your quality of life.

Hearing Instrument Care Tips

• Use care when handling your hearing instrument.
• Store it in a dry, safe place.
• Turn off your hearing instrument when it’s not in use. Remove the battery if it won’t be used for an extended period.
• Change batteries regularly to avoid running out of power.
• Remove earwax from your hearing instrument regularly.
• Use a small brush or the soft cloth that came with your hearing instrument for cleaning. Ask your hearing professional for assistance if necessary. Never insert tools into the sound outlet – it could damage the receiver.
• Remove your hearing instrument when:
  * in the shower
  * swimming
  * when using a hair dryer, hair spray,or other types of spray
• Replace the filters in your hearing instrument regularly to avoid collected wax or dirt.
  

Your Hearing Professional

A licensed hearing health professional at Hearing Advantage will conduct a personalized consultation to determine the hearing instrument that’s right for you. That will include a comprehensive hearing assessment, making an impression of your ear canal, choosing the most appropriate technology and fitting the device to your personal specifications.

Service and follow up care are important to the quality of your hearing experience. Look for a dependable hearing professional who has been trained by the hearing instrument manufacturer to provide the reliability and quality you deserve.