Hearing Aids

Open Fit Hearing Aids: The Information and facts You have to Know

With so many hearing aids available on the market to select from, you may possibly be overwhelmed by the alternatives provided. In this write-up, we will discuss open fit hearing aids. With an open up match support, you don’t need to wait to your ear mold to become manufactured and returned to you; so it takes less time to obtain the item you will need to have. Getting these from a dealer is quicker than waiting on a manufacturer. They’ll be maintained wherever you opt for to invest in yours. Since wide open match helps have evolved into much more discreet, less bulky helps, manufactured with much better colors and user friendly designs of far better top quality, people are much more willing to put on their hearing aids.

Although there is no shame in wearing a hearing aid, some men and women feel there exists a stigma attached to listening to loss. Older folks may possibly think that wearing them is an admission which they are old. Little ones with seeing and hearing problems could be the victims of teasing and ridicule..

Open fit hearing aids are also known as over-the-ear, or OTE hearing aids. They may be created little for that discretion in the wearer, fitting behind the ear having a clear, thin, nearly invisible plastic tube going in to the ear towards the ear canal.

Hearing loss covers a number of ranges from mild to profound. Everyone is different. OTE’s work particularly well for people with high frequency loss, and are the most versatile in that they can cover a wide range of loss.

OTE hearing aids really are a type of BTE, or at the rear of the ear hearing aids. They are a fantastic option for young children, and they could be bought in colours and styles that appeal to children. OTE’s are a fantastic selection for adults at the same time, though.

One of the possible problems a person could have with an open fit hearing aid is if a tiny hairline crack develops within the plastic tubing. You will need to take excellent care with your new help to safeguard it from abuse, both by oneself or by other people. It must in no way be left exactly where a child could grab it and chew on it or step on it or exactly where any pets could get to it.

It really is not constantly important to own a hearing exam prior to you acquire hearing aids, but it’s possibly a great concept. This way you can make confident that you simply are obtaining a correct fit, and taking care of one’s seeing and hearing burning correctly. Seeing and hearing burning can be a complicated issue, and an audiologist it is qualified to deal with the associated issues. Make positive to deal with your ears properly, and get the most beneficial hearing aid for you.

Cruz Santamaria – I write articles for the hearing impaired

what is the name of that hearing aid thing that lets you hear from far away?

It’s really cheap compare to a hearing aid and u can hear pretty far away with a machine attached to an earphone.

Answer
WHAT????

LOL…I believe the product you are inquiring about is the Bell and Howell Sonic Earz. It’s about 15 bucks.

The best Hearing Aid Could make All the Difference

Modern hearing aids technology has improved dramatically since the early days. Early models were nothing more than a cone which amplified sound for the wearer. Today, revolutionary technology provides true aid to those with hearing impairment.

A pretty simple definition of hearing is that it is the perception of sound. Otosclerosis is the actual scientific term for loss of hearing.

Getting the right hearing aid can make drastic improvements in one’s life. It helps dramatically in communication. Hearing loss can be very challenging, and many people aren’t very understanding of those who suffer from it. Children can be most adversely affected, and can suffer from humiliation and ridicule. Hearing aids can provide the help that children and adults need.

Although sign language and lip reading are important and helpful to many people with hearing loss, not every hearing impaired person has learned these tools and these tools aren’t always the best for every situation.

When you realize the need for a hearing aid, there are various points to consider. The amount of loss suffered, whether you have loss in both ears or just one and how much in each ear, the fit to your unique ear shape, the cost, the service fees for the equipment, batteries and their availability, location of a hearing aid provider, your lifestyle, and the testing to determine your needs. If you’re a parent or gaurdian, you’ll want more than just a test by the school nurse to determine the extent of hearing loss and the proper needs for your child. There are more choices available for children and more attractive aids created just for their interests. Purchasing the best aid now may really make a difference in how their hearing difficulties progresses.

In today’s market, it’s easy to find hearing aids. You can purchase them from a local retailer or buy them online. It’s even possible to get deals on ebay. People who already own hearing aids will let you know what they think of the model they own, or you can check google for hearing aid reviews. There are many brands to choose from including Phonak, Siemens, and ReSound. For mild to moderate hearing problems, you may want to check out a personal listening device such as the iHear by Accutone, which can be had for under $200.

Extras to look for are a great warranty, free batteries, a manual and a protective pouch. Tools to clean should also be included. Proper maintenance and wax removal is vital to keep hearing aids working a long time.

Browse through my articles and reviews about hearing problems and hearing aids.

hearing aid?

if i got a hearing aid.
and turned it way up
could i have like super hearing?

Answer
No. That’s like asking if wearing glasses give you super vision.

However they do make listening devices like a spy might use. It looks a little like a small satellite disk and a set of headphones. See link for example.

Welcome to the world of hearing aids, where new advancements are changing the world of the hearing impaired every day. Read onward to discover how hearing aids work, some of the different hearing aids available to you, and where you can discover the best hearing aids for your unique challenges. Let’s begin!

• Digital hearing aids are like mini computers. They hear a sound and automatically adjust the way the wearer hears that sound by amplifying it. The program is designed specifically for the wearer to allow for the best fit possible.
• Digital hearing aids vary widely. They can be programmed to sense soft, medium and loud sounds in a different way. For example, the hearing aid may be programmed in such a way that soft sounds are amplified while loud sounds stay at nearly the same frequency. That way, a person is able to hear the way a non-aid wearing person does.
• It is possible for the wearer to control the program on the hearing aid. After all, the wearer is the person who best knows what he or she needs in terms of assistance. Therefore, some aids have switches or buttons for this end. Volume is often controllable as well.
• Computer software is used to figure out the exact settings that are best programmed on the aid. An audiologist will look at your results and decide how to program your hearing aid so that it best meets your needs.
• It is very important to listen to the audiologist when he or she describes how to best use your hearing aid. This professional has specifically calibrated your aid so that it eradicates your hearing challenges. Listening to their advice can optimize your hearing aid experience. As there are often many settings on a hearing aid (depending on the type of hearing loss) it is in your best interest to take notes. Don’t forget to ask questions. After all, you are a beginner.

If you are interested in learning more about hearing aids and causes for hearing losses visit our adviceonhearingaids.com to read professional advice from the experienced audiologists.

Who makes the best hearing aid batteries?

My hearing aids use size 675, blue. I know they are not all the same. Quality is very important to me.

Answer
I use the #13 orange ones. I haven’t noticed any real difference with any of the name brand ones but I notice a huge difference with the store brands. They just don’t last nearly as long.

If you need to learn more about hearing problems and hearing aids, there are a lot of hints on the Web to assist you. With plenty of sites and a number of piece of writing that abound on the area under discussion, you are sure to find lots of inspiring resources that will assist in expanding your understanding of the issue.

If you feel your hearing crisis cannot be solved, I want to inform you that hearing aids have made it easier for many people and can be of assistance to you too, if you put them to use. Obviously not every case of hearing difficulty can be helped with hearing aids, but it is worth trying.

If you would like to improve your hearing over time by means of a hearing aid, at all times make sure that you continue to meet your audiologist from time to time for periodic hearing assessments. This system, your hearing expert will make certain that the programming of the hearing aid you are making use of will keep on matching with the modifications that are occuring to your hearing.

Although the digial hearing aids are at present much more sophisticated and effective than the analog hearing aids, you can go on making use of the analog hearing aids if they work very well for you. Don’t merely jump into acquiring digital hearing aids merely because they work excellently than the analog hearing aids, particularly if you cannot have the funds for the digital hearing aids.

What to do when informed your child or someone you admire has hearing troubles is NOT to give up faith but to commence researching for the appropriate hearing aids for them. Seek the advice of your audiologist and you will be surprised that there abound the exact kind of hearing aids that will unravel their hearing troubles.

Are you aware that there are extremely sophisticated hearing aids on the market that perform wonderfully well in lending a hand with even the most awful cases of hearing troubles? A lot of people are not responsive and so they persist to employ hearing aids that do not perform very well. At all times make sure you are conscious of and use the best hearing aids, if you certainly care about your hearing difficulty.

It really is true that you must meet your hearing professional to offer you the most excellent advice on your hearing dilemma and which hearing aids are the best to make use of, but you must also expend a great deal of time carrying out your own due diligene. You shouldn’t leave everything to your audiologist. Use a moment or two and study as much as you can on the subject so that you are better enlightened about the various things there are to be acquainted with about hearing problems and hearing aids.

 

Ras Reed gives insightful writing about Prices Of Hearing Aids , as well as Best Hearing Aids on his website.

How much does a hearing aid test cost?

My hearing has been going down for years and I want to be tested and purchase two hearing aids. Of course, they vary in price quite a bit.

How much would the test(s) cost for a hearing aid? I imagine an audiogram is one of the tests performed. A rough estimate is fine. Most audiologists won’t give me a straight answer when I ask…I guess they want to surprise me with a huge bill, lol.

Answer
Most hearing test are around $2-300. there is a new hearing device that is called Lyric. Check it out before getting a cumbersome and expensive hearing aid. Have your ears cleaned out when you go to the audiologists for a test.

Oticon Hearing Aids Provide Variety To Those With Hearing Loss

Different people have different expectations when it comes to hearing aid purchases. The way the hearing aid works is paramount for some people. A device that is discrete and they won’t be embarrassed by is of greatest importance to others. Cost is also a concern. Oticon hearing aids offer multiple choices for many of these people.

There are a variety of types, models, and technological levels available with Oticon hearing aids. These are available in a wide range of prices. Depending on the client’s needs, there are an array of different Oticon hearing aids to choose from.

One of the lower priced models of Oticon’s lineup is known as Go Pro. The digital aspect of this aid is its sound quality. While it lacks many bells and whistles, it does feature some automation. This is a good selection for those who want to spend less without sacrificing all the quality of the Oticon hearing aids.

Oticon has another economical model called Atlas. It’s another quality Oticon hearing aid. Atlas is a little bit unique in that it is mass produced rather than custom made for the wearer. This may be a concern for those looking for more custom devices, but those can be more costly.

Oticon hearing aids are designed with differing levels of loss of hearing in mind. For people with a moderate or mild loss, they should be able to choose just about any model. The Delta model is only for those with very mild hearing loss. In the case of severe loss of hearing, the Sumo DM works well. It helps the wearer to hear voices as strongly and clearly as imaginable with little distortion. Batteries tend to last longer with Sumo than with most power models.

The Safran has a different focus than most of the others: it is made to allow the user to hear a variety of sounds besides just speech. Safran is a great choice for those who want to hear things like birds and other sounds of nature. Safran doesn’t ignore the sounds of speech, though.

If you are looking for more bells and whistles, there are also Oticon hearing aids to meet your needs. Syncro uses advanced tech to differentiate between speech and noise. This is very important, because unwanted noise can be a big problem in understanding voices. Sounds of speech are raised, while background noise is lowered – a necessity for hearing aid wearers.

To determine where sounds are coming from, the Epoch Oticon hearing aid uses high tech components. It also works well with cellular phones. The Rise, in fact, can be used with Bluetooth technology and MP3 players as well. To make two hearing aids work together, a lot of Oticon hearing aids make use of binaural sound.

To prevent occlusion, which is the shut off feeling in the ear when a hearing aid is blocking the ear canal, Oticon offers the Tego hearing aid with OpenEarAcoustics. It is one of the aids that make changes depending on environment, and it does it automatically.

Everyone is looking for a maximum number of choices, whether they are buying their first hearing aid or their tenth. Oticon hearing aids come in such an array of types and styles that you will have many choices just staying within its models.

I want to help those with hearing loss

Will using a hearing aid make you go deaf after you take it out for a while?

My grandfather has a hearing problem and the reason he doesn’t want to get a hearing aid is because a doctor told him that once he starts using the hearing aid, he’ll be deaf without it.

Is this true?

Answer
No. What the doctor may have meant (and I’ve asked my audiologist about this as I’ve had the experience) is that when we wear hearing aids we get used to hearing a lot of different sounds that we ghaven’t heard for a long time as we have lost our hearing, and when we remove our hearing aids then our hearing seems duller, simply because we’ve gotten used to hearing more with our aids in.

Another thing to remember is that when someone who is deaf/hard of hearing/hearing impaired, call them what you want, that person ios still deaf, with or without hearing aids. Hearing aids simply compensate for the degree of hearing loss a person has.

Please do let your grandfather be put off by what he was told. Hearing aids can and do make a big difference to a persons quality of life. Take it from me and the millions like me around the world who wear hearing aids every day.

Believe it or not, over 20 million Americans suffer from some level of hearing loss, losing a sensory experience that many of us simply take for granted. To ensure they maintain some level of hearing, many of these Americans will buy a hearing aid. On account of the former president’s support, hearing aids are acquiring much more favorable reception as a result. It started when this former president was seen wearing one of the new “ear canal” hearing aids. Even more significant was his admission that he had suffered hearing loss. As a person looking for <a href=’http://www.nhc.com.au/hearing-aids.aspx’>hearing aids</a> you should visit that site.

Out of the massive 20 million Americans who suffer hearing loss, only a tiny 12% will actually wear a hearing aid. According to a renowned audiologist it will take on average 5 years before somebody confronts their degrading hearing. According to her, people have a negative view of hearing aids, and this causes the reluctance to have one.

When people think of hearing aids, they often envision large, clunky apparatuses evocative of the elderly.  Hearing aids are quite simply connected to age, however the fact is there are plenty of kids and young people who can suffer from hearing difficulties. In the last 50 years there have been many advances made to hearing aid devices. There are now a number of things on the market that are designed to help the hearing impaired. The canal aid is an innovative new type of hearing aid that’s just coming on the scene. The Reagan Aid is a moniker it’s received due to the fact that he wore these.

Created just over a year ago, the canal aid device is built with a highly advanced technology and is custom made to be able to fit directly in the ear canal, is barely visible, weighs just a few grams, and has been designed to emphasize sounds of a higher pitch, but not for any severe hearing loss. This site teaches you about <a href=’http://www.nhc.com.au/hearing-aids.aspx’>hearing aid accessories</a>.

The aid is visually attractive but its tiny size does create certain issues. The volume of production is extremely limited, and quality control is becoming difficult to increase as well. Since it’s so small, you can’t cheaply manufacture it in great quantities, making them not very popular, though they are the most technologically advanced ones out there.

When it comes to popularity, it’s the behind the ear model that’s the current favorite. As stated in the latest studies released by the national hearing aid society, this particular hearing aid type makes up 52.4% of today’s market.  Almost 50% of sales can be attributed to in the ear aids, of which canal aids are a family member.

Behind the ear aids are popular with women because they can be discreetly hidden behind hair, while men will favor a canal type aid. Other devices are still manufactured in addition to these popular models in order to accommodate a wide range of patient needs.  Those wishing to buy a hearing aid ought to seek a formal diagnosis of hearing impairment. In order to receive a hearing aid, an individual must receive medicinal authorization from a professional.

The audiologist pointed out that although any medical doctor can give permission, it is best to see a hearing specialist to diagnose any possible problems you may have with your ears.  Consulting your doctor is crucial since there are times when hearing impairment is the direct result of an ear infection or similar issue that needs surgical or special medical attention. State law provides that a patient must have a medical permission slip in order to purchase a hearing aid, however if the patient signs a waiver,

he or she can forgo a medical exam.  In the event that you’re getting a hearing aid without the approval of a doctor, you will probably experience some resistance from the hearing aid dealer, as they’re obligated to remind you that you should get the exam dome. Lest the patient should comprehend this waiver and sign it, the seller will then be able to lawfully test them for hearing impairment and fit them with a hearing aid. Medical professionals recommend that, when buying the aid, a consultation and proper testing be administered by a qualified audiologist. There are some hearing aid sellers who offer testing services, as well.

It may be possible to try out a hearing aid for a short time before deciding to purchase it. If so, you might be able to try out the hearing device for free. While the size of hearing aids are going down and they’re increasing in popularity, they’re only a stopgap measure. These are terrific items, she stated, though warned consumers that whereas glass are able to completely correct vision problems, hearing aids serve merely to amplify noises and are incapable of restoring one’s ability to hear.

Mitch’s background includes four years experience working as an in-house contractor for the Procter & Gamble Company designing, producing and directing audio/visual presentations and company instructional videos. He went on to establish his own company.

Would it matter when dating if the person is wearing a hearing aid?

Would you date somebody who is hearing impaired with a hearing aid and is deft in one ear?

i wouldnt care but would it effect anything if the person can hear in one ear wears one hearing aid , and talks normal went to normal school.

Graduated.

Would it matter at all?

Detailed answers much appreciated. I want to hear all answers just be honest.

Thanks guys.

Answer
I don’t think it would matter the only thing I find emabarrasing wit my boyfriend is when we hug my hearing aid does that squeeling lol

 

Nine years is a long time for an 11-year-old boy to be without any hearing in his right ear, however, this is what happened to Jerome Bartens who had to cope with this handicap. He was diagnosed as deaf in his right ear when he was just 2-years-old.

 

Doctors and hearing aid audiologists could offer no help to the Bartens’ and the cause of his deafness was left unresolved until 27 January 2008 when he and some friends were playing in a church hall. Something popped in his ear and when he put his finger in his ear, a 1cm-long waxy cotton bud came out. It is believed this bud has been lodged in his ear for the past nine years.

 

His father, Mr. Bartens, believes Jerome put this cotton bud in his ear when he was a 2-year-old and that the tip fell off the plastic stem. Young Jerome has always struggled at school because he is hard of hearing in his right ear. He also said he has become used to being shouted at and having to turn up the television’s volume so that he could hear better.

 

His father said he has always suspected there is something in Jerome’s ear canal that is hampering his hearing, and is amazed that the many doctors and hearing specialists they asked for help have not found this bud. Mr. Bartens said: “But the doctors and hearing specialists said it was wax and he would probably grow out of it. I am amazed they didn’t spot something as obvious as a cotton wool bud.”

 

Jerome is overjoyed at his new-found hearing and reckons he will be much happier at school now that he no longer suffers from continual earaches. Jerome said: ‘It was very strange at first to be able to hear everything. But now I’m getting used to it – it’s great that people don’t have to shout to me or that I don’t have to turn my head all the time.”

 

While elated that his hearing has returned to ‘normal’, the family is keeping the waxy cotton bud as a souvenir and showed it to the specialists who were checking up on Jerome. The single father has also made complaints against the several doctors who examined Jerome over the years and who thought there was nothing wrong with the young boy.

 

 

 

Angela Beckham is from the UK writes on matters relating to deafness and hearing impairments. She also offers advice using her own personal experiences on being deaf and the problems and issues relating to it.
Hidden Hearing

I need a cell phone that is hearing aid compatible?

the samsung x495 that is supposedly hearing aid compatible has a lot of static. I would prefer a cell phone that would allow me to use my tele coil.

Answer
The following are hearing aid compatible phone offered for Cingular Wireless and their HAC M-rating:
Samsung D307 M4
Motorola V220 M3
Nokia 6102h M3
Motorola V3 M3
LG C2000 M3
LG L1400/1400i M3
Samsung P207 M3

Hearing loss is a common problem in those over 65 years old. But now, more youngsters and baby boomers are being diagnosed with hearing loss. Exposure to excessive noise levels is the main culprit.

On the top of the list of noise induced hearing loss causes is listening to loud music. It is estimated that 10 million baby boomers suffer from hearing loss, much of which is attributed to attending rock concerts in the beginning of 1960s and 70s. Hearing damage that results from this type of noise often happens gradually and the effects are not known until many years later.

The increased use of technology has been associated with hearing loss in baby boomers. Portable listening technology expanded from the walkman to the MP3 player to the iPod. Many users of these portable devices listen at high volume for long period of time, unaware that their bad listening habits could eventually lead to hearing loss. A recent study found that listening to an iPod on the highest volume level is capable of causing hearing damage after several minutes.

At home, appliances and tools such as vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, food mixers and hedge trimmers emit dangerous levels of noise. Listening to the television or stereo at high volume can also contribute to hearing loss.

At the workplace or on the job, workers are exposed to dangerous levels of sound from heavy machinery and power tools. Construction workers are susceptible to hearing loss due to their working environment.

While many baby boomers might not have heeded any advice to keep the volume down, they are now more aware of their hearing loss. With the advancement of technology, hearing aids come in new funky shapes, designs and features. Hearing aids are no longer associated with old people only. Instead, new hearing aids are designed to cater for people of all age groups.

Nowadays, digital technology has replaced analog technology. Digital hearing aids produce better sound quality with feedback cancellation to get rid of unwanted noises. They have programmable settings that can be customized to your hearing needs.

Hearing loss can adversely affect work productivity and relationships if left untreated. People with hearing difficulty should see an audiologist for a hearing test. Hearing aids do not restore your hearing back to normal. However, they can improve your hearing, thereby increasing quality of life.

Prevention is better than cure. Hearing loss can be prevented by taking the necessary precautions. Turn down the volume of music or use ear protection. Avoid long exposure to loud noises at concerts or clubs.

Only one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one. There are many types of hearing aids to suit almost every type and degree of hearing loss, and budget. Read our hearing aid review at www.abouthearingaid.com/home

Is there any hearing aid when there is 90 percent hearing loss?

One of my ears is like that,I haven’t used hearing aid yet as my other ear has normal hearing.I like to become a nurse anesthetic ;that’s why I need to hear well from both ears.I live in the United States.Last time I visited an audiologist,she couldn’t suggest me any hearing aid for 90 percent hearing loss,yet I beleive it should be some that’s why I am researching on it personaly.Any information is greatly appreciated.Thanks,

Answer
you can put a hearing aid on I am sure if you really feel you need it. However when there is such a big difference between the ears a lot of times the ear with the hearing loss doesn’t sound clear even with the hearing aid. The hearing loss is so severe everything is distorted. the hearing aid sends in a clear sound and the ear garbles it all up and the sound actually impairs you speech understanding. If having a hearing aid would help you to hear environmental stuff for your job it may be helpful to have some amplification on that ear. But a lot of times speech understanding is actually worse with a hearing aid on an ear with that much hearing loss.

In the field of audiology, new technologies are being developed all of the time to improve hearing aids. Newer technologies sometimes mean more convenience and advanced features, but their cost can be prohibitive and they can be difficult to figure out at the beginning. The older technologies are often cheaper and less complicated to use, but they lack the sophistication of the newer devices.

Even with newer technologies, analog hearing devices are still the primary choice for some users. One of the main reasons for this is that these aids are the least expensive type. They are seen as generic and are generally appropriate for most types of hearing loss. Some of the drawbacks of analog hearing aids is that they pick up all of the surrounding noise and they don’t do a good job of differentiating between sounds.

Analog hearing aids come in programmable varieties in order to acclimate to the wearer’s level of hearing loss. These tend to be more expensive than the standard analog aids. These types of devices will need to be programmed by your audiologist to the frequency that is suited for your hearing loss level.

Digital hearing aids use numerical processing to convert sound waveforms. The advantages of a digital hearing aid over an analog version are said to be increased compression within the hearing aid and consequently better audibility, with less low-level background noise. As a result, the aid wearer can more easily distinguish between background noise and speech. Digital aids can be programmed as well.

Some hearing aids come with directional microphones. These microphones pick up the direction from which sound is coming. The sounds that are coming from places in front of the hearing aid wearer are the ones emphasized over the sounds coming from behind the wearer or from the side of the wearer. These are helpful when the aid wearer finds themselves in noisy areas, such as city sidewalks or sports stadiums.

Hearing aids with Bluetooth technology allow for their wearers to hear while using Bluetooth cell phones. These hearing aids use wireless technology to pick up the Bluetooth signal. The good thing about these devices is that holding the phone to your ear is not required in order for them to work properly.

In order to find the best hearing aid, you should see an audiologist, who will help you find one that fits your ear canal and complements your lifestyle and needs. If you are interested in finding out how a particular hearing aid suits you, request that your audiologist permit you to wear one on a trial basis. You will also need to check with your health insurance company to find out which devices they will cover, and if there are any restrictions.

American Hearing Aid Centers provides quality and affordable Digital Hanover hearing aids from many well known manufactures. Our audiologist services include hearing tests, evaluations, cleaning, adjustments and all in house repairs. Call us at 866-883-2422 if you’re in Hanover or Gettysburg.

Can I wear my hearing aid to school if I have an ear infection?

I forgot to ask my doctor that.
I had an ear infection last week on friday, but my ear still hurts.
I didn’t wear my hearing aid to school on friday, mon. and today which caused me to have a hard time hearing.

Answer
Try to avoid it if u can. Sticking anything in your ear with an infection can only make things worse

Hearing loss is prevalent in modern societies as a result of the combined effects of noise, aging, disease, and heredity. Hearing loss is the number one disability in the world; approximately 28 million Americans suffer some type of hearing loss. In addition, 15 of every 1000 people under the age of 18 have a hearing loss, and nearly 90% of people over age 80 have a hearing impairment. The incidence of hearing loss is greater in men, than women. The sad part is, that hearing loss is the most preventable disability in the world.

Hearing is a complicated process involving both the sensitivity of the ear, as well as the ability to understand, and interpret the speech. When we hear sounds, we really are interpreting patterns of air molecules in the form of waves. The ear is able to pick up these waves, and convert them into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. In the brain, these signals are deciphered into meaningful information, such as language or music with qualities like volume and pitch. We can characterize sounds in terms of their frequency (or pitch) and intensity (or loudness).

An individual with hearing in the normal range can hear sounds that have frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hertz. Speech includes a combination of low and high frequency sounds; vowels have lower frequencies and are easier to hear. Consonants, on the other hand have higher frequencies, and are harder to hear. Since consonants express most of the meaning of what we say, someone who cannot hear high frequency sounds will have a hard time understanding speech.

Intensity, or loudness, is measured in decibels. A normal hearing range usually ranges from 0 to 140 dB. A whisper is around 30 dB, and normal conversations are usually 45 to 50 dB. Sounds that are louder than 90 dB can be uncomfortable to hear. A loud concert might be as loud as 110 dB. Extreme sounds that are 120 dB or louder can be quite painful and can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Hearing loss can happen in either frequency or intensity or both. The severity of hearing loss is assessed on how well a person can hear the frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech. Severity of loss can best be described as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Deafness is used to describe an individual who has approximately 90 dB or greater hearing loss. The term “hard of hearing” describes a condition that is less severe than deafness.

There are many potential causes of hearing loss. These can be divided into two basic types, called conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is the result of the interference of sound transmission from the outer ear to the inner ear. Common causes include, inner ear infections, accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, excessive wax, damage to the eardrum by infection or an injury, or otosclerosis. This type of hearing loss is temporary, and results in a less severe form.

Sensorineural hearing loss is due to damage to the pathway from the hair cells of the inner ear to the auditory nerve and the brain. Common causes include, age-related hearing loss, injury to the inner ear hair cells as a result of trauma or noise, abnormal pressure in the inner ear, stroke, benign lesions, and brain tumors. This type of hearing loss is more devastating, and is usually more permanent.

The successful treatment of hearing loss depends on the cause. A bacterial infection of the middle ear can be treated with antibiotics; blockages of the outer and middle ears can be cleared; damaged eardrums can be repaired surgically; and ossicles affected by otosclerosis can be replaced with artificial bones. Some causes of sensorineural hearing loss can also be improved. For example, an acoustic neuroma can be removed surgically.
If no cure is successful, a hearing aid for one, or both ears usually helps, whether the loss is a result of conductive or sensorineural problems. Many different types of hearing aid are available and an audiologist will advise as to which type best suits the needs of the individual.

When a hearing aid does not give adequate amplification, as with profound deafness, a cochlear implant can help. This device transmits sound directly into the auditory nerve via electrodes surgically implanted into the cochlea. Although the sounds heard tend to be of a buzzing or electronic nature, it can be very useful when used in combination with lip reading.

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Digital Hearing Aids Online Visit http://hearing-aidsonline.com/ for more information.

Can a hearing aid be fix if cast is broken?

My hearing aid was stepped on, can it be repaired.

Answer
Yes, it can as long as the electronics inside were not damaged. It will just need to be re-shelled. Take it either to the place you bought it, or to your current hearing care provider.
Check your contract to see if your hearing aid is still under warranty and what your warranty covers before taking the hearing aid in.
If you have a hearing aid style that fits completely in your ear (not a behind the ear style), the hearing aid provider will need to remake the mold. The hearing aid will have to be sent off to the manufacturer for repair.
Getting the hearing aid re-shelled will cost you a quite a bit, but no where near the cost of a new aid.
Another thing you might want to keep in mind if your hearing aid is a little older, is that it might be time to have it replaced anyway. If its been over a year since you had an audiogram, request a new test to see if your hearing has changed. Some hearing aid providers will give you a free hearing test or “hearing screening” for free in hopes that you will buy a new set of hearing aids. Also keep in mind that the technology of hearing aids has come a long way in the past 3-5 years, you may benefit more from the new technology than your old aid.

Hope that you found this helpful! Best wishes.