Have you noticed the need to turn the television a little louder than normal? Or perhaps you’ve found yourself asking people to repeat themselves more than you have in the past. There are many possible signs that our ability to hear is starting to deteriorate. This can be a stressful and confusing time, but the good news is that there are ways to carry on a normal life despite slight hearing loss.
Those in the Nashville, TN area can visit a hearing center like Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee to learn more about their options. Hearing aids are a widely-used means of addressing these issues. Here’s everything you need to know about hearing aids.
What is a Hearing Aid?
A hearing aid, as the name implies, helps you hear better. They are small devices that are worn inside or behind your ear. These electronic devices help those affected by hearing loss to better listen and communicate with those around them.
Hearing aids can be worn in both loud and quiet situations to allow the patient to participate in activities they might otherwise miss.
How Does It Work?
There are four essential mechanisms within a hearing aid. First of all, it needs a power source. This usually comes in the form of a battery. A small microphone receives the sounds that would otherwise be interpreted directly by the ear. These sounds are turned into an electrical signal which are then sent to an amplifier. A small speaker then plays these sounds directly into the patient’s ear. The volume can be adjusted so that even those who have a hard time hearing speech at normal volume can hold a conversation just as easily as they could before they started experiencing hearing loss.
Digital signal processing has greatly opened up the capabilities of hearing aids. Instead of simply amplifying every sound around the hearing aid, they can be more intentional to help the patient to a greater degree.
The hearing aid can be shaped to both fit each particular patient’s ear, as well as improve the directional capabilities of the device. This affords the ability to better understand speech in a noisy environment.
Digital signals are able to be amplified without risking feedback. This diminishes distortion and makes it easier for the patient to understand speech.
Overall, the advancements in the technology have made the experience much more pleasurable for the patient as well as their ability to perceive and understand speech.
Are There Different Styles?
There are three main types of hearing aids. The style which best suits you is determined by the type of hearing loss you are experiencing. A hearing center like OAT in Nashville, TN can assess your hearing needs with a short exam. This hearing test will give your healthcare professional the information they need to recommend a device that will best fit your needs and lifestyle.
Behind-The-Ear (BTE)
The majority of the device in a BTE device sits just behind the patient’s ear. This includes the battery case, controls, and microphone. A clear tube runs from this section to the earmold which sits just inside the ear. The outer portion is available in many colors so that it can be as closely matched as possible to the patient’s skin color. This style is popular for children because the ear mold can be easily replaced without need to replace the entire device. This flexibility is useful because children’s ear canals grow and change much quicker than those of adults. This style is intended to be used by patients experience moderate to profound hearing issues.
Receiver-In-Ear (RIE)
Much like the BTE hearing aids, the casing sits just behind the ear and connects to the earpiece. However, the casing is much smaller than BTE hearing aids. This allows it to be almost completely hidden from sight besides the small, transparent tube connecting it to the earpiece. This style is fairly new to the market and has become increasingly popular due to its discreetness. RIE hearing aids are used for those experiencing mild to severe hearing issues.
In-The-Canal (ITC)
This style is popular because they are almost undetectable. ITC hearing aids are completely contained within a plastic shell and are custom-made to fit within the patient’s ear canal. There is even a subset of this style called completely-in-the-canal (CIC) which is even smaller. This style is for patients experiencing mild to moderate hearing issues.
How Do I Get A Hearing Aid?
These life-changing devices can be acquired by visiting a professional. Find a hearing center like Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee in Nashville, TN to set up a hearing test. Their audiologists will use the latest technology to determine your hearing needs and put together a plan to find the best options for your particular case.
Visit the hearing center of Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee in Nashville, TN to get back in the conversation.
