When do I need a hearing aid?
Aging is one of the common reasons for hearing loss. However, according to the research by the Johns Hopkins Institute and National Institute of Ageing, the seniors with hearing loss are at the risk of developing dementia. The link between the two conditions is yet to be corroborated, but the medical investigators believe that the strain of recognizing and decoding the noise over the years may overwhelm the brain, causing hearing loss and making them vulnerable to dementia. However, using hearing aids after diagnosing hearing loss may prevent dementia.
When should you start using a hearing aid?
A very few of our visiting patients realise they have a hearing problem. Often, they assume people have started speaking softly. If you sense that you are finding it challenging to hear almost every person you are talking to, then it could be the sign of hearing loss. The other symptoms of hearing loss are listed below.
• Asking people to repeat what they had said
• Complaining that people are speaking too softly
• Finding it difficult to hear when people whisper.
• Finding it troublesome to understand the sound from the audio equipment in the movie theatres, plays, and other public events.
• Finding it challenging to follow the conversation in the group.
• Finding it challenging to understand what the person in the separate room is saying
• Trouble talking on the phone
• Straining to hear conversations
• Having difficulty in understanding group conversations
Types of hearing aids
Behind the Ear, (BTE)
hearing aids have the microphone elements sitting behind the ear, and the receiver is connected to a thin tube leading to an ear-mould. These type of hearing aids are large and are less susceptible to the damage caused by wax or moisture.
In the canal (ITC)
hearing aids are small with limited manual controls. These are merely half the size of the ear and requires a few days for the patient to acclimate to operate.
In The ear type (ITE)
custom made and fit the patient’s ear. The equipment enables the patient to regulate the power and the volume.
Complete in The Canal (CIC)
Very small to fit deep into the ear canal. Since the device is so tiny, it does not offer the leverage to regulate volume or the power. The ear wax and the moisture in the ear canal are likely to cause damage to the device, which may require regular maintenance or replacement.
Receiver in the canal (RIC)
Devices have the microphone and the processor in a small case behind the ear connected to the earpiece by a thin wire. The hearing aid’s speaker rests in the ear canal. The device can be fit into the open earpiece.
How much do hearing aids improve your hearing?
The hearing aid will help you communicate by improving your hearing and listening abilities. The hearing aids can help you hear better but may not restore the individual’s hearing capacity to normal. However, they enhance the quality of sound, compensating the hearing loss.
Get yourself tested today at India’s No.1 Audiology and hearing aid centre who won the Charles Holland award for the year 2017 at Dr. Rao’s ENT Hospitals.
