Hearing loss is one of the many physical conditions that plague senior folks. Consequently, it may lead to deterioration of the patient’s relationship with their family, at work, and others. Fortunately, it’s not too late for you to find a solution: hearing aids are the quickest, easiest way of finding solutions for hearing issues.
What are Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are small devices worn in-ear to help improve hearing. They usually run on batteries and feature an amplifier that improves the sound you hear. A microphone, meanwhile, picks up the sound for you to hear. Whatever sound is picked up by these parts are then transmitted to your ear.
Who Needs Hearing Aids
Anyone suffering from hearing loss is a potential wearer of hearing aids. Strictly speaking, however, you have higher chances of improving conditions from wearing hearing aids if your hearing loss is brought about by natural aging, exposure to loud noises, medications, and disease.
That is, as long as the issue is characterized by damage to the inner ear or the area where the brain is linked to the ear, you or your loved one should be good. However, if the problem is situated deeper, such as in the eardrum itself, or anywhere along the ear canal, it is better recommended for you to seek a different type of treatment.
Getting Hearing Aids
The first thing you need to do is undergo a comprehensive examination by a certified audiologist. You will be subjected to a series of hearing tests to determine how loud the sound needs to be before you can hear it, and how clear it is.
One thing you have to take note of with hearing aids is that they are, first and foremost, amplifiers. Therefore, while these devices can certainly improve the loudness of sound, they do not necessarily correct the quality of sound clarity. If you’re interested in buying hearing aids you can visit Blue Angels Hearing. They have high quality hearing aids available in the market today.
Making Choices
The more assistance you need with your hearing, the bigger the device will likely be recommended. Usually, once you receive your unit, you’ll be given 30 days to test it out, see if It feels comfortable to wear, and most importantly if it is able to deliver improved quality of sound.
There are various types of hearing aids: analog and digital; in-the-ear (ITE), which, as the name suggests, fits exclusively in the outer ear; and canal, which is a lot more discreet considering that easily fits inside the ear, making it harder to see. Each one of them has its own pros and cons—it would be up to the results of your audio test that will determine which would suit you best.
Other Considerations
Hopefully, your condition improves and your hearing goes back to a normal level enough to no longer need hearing aids. Assuming that it may worsen in the unforeseen future, however, it is important for you to invest in hearing aids that can be upgraded later on. Ask your doctor if it would be possible to increase your device’s power as needed. Each unit can cost roughly anywhere from $3,000-$5,000 so it’s definitely a serious investment piece.
Consult with your doctor for a plan to improve your hearing with the consideration of hearing aids. Remember, the device does not treat the cause of your hearing issue, but in the meantime, it can help you stay part of the communication you need, whether in your personal or professional life.
Melbourne audiometric testing is a comprehensive hearing test that checks the ability to hear sounds over various frequencies. Learn about audiologists, hearing tests, hearing aids, and more today!