Hearing can be impaired by many factors, such as an ageing ear, noise exposure, head injuries, pregnancy and more. As hearing loss progresses it can affect how well you hear speech in noisy environments or even isolate you from the people around you. It’s not always easy to know what your options are for dealing with it.
Do you choose a hearing aid or a cochlear implant?
Here are some facts that will help inform your decision.
Hearing aids are a type of medical device that is typically used to improve the ability of a person with hearing loss in one or both ears to hear better in a situation. Hearing aids come in three parts: the microphone, the amplifier, and the receiver. They help make sound louder and clearer for people who have trouble hearing what’s going on around them.
Cochlear implants are devices that are surgically implanted into the inner ear by a medical professional. They use technology to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing to detect sounds. Initially, they were only used for children but now they’re also being used for adults.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants might both appear to be similar, but they do have some significant differences. Hearing aids amplify sound, whereas cochlear implants stimulate the auditory nerve to allow those with hearing loss to hear again. Hearing aids are best for those whose hearing loss has just started and didn’t notice it until later on in life. On the other hand, cochlear implants are best for those who haven’t been able to hear well since birth. The implant will be a more cost-effective solution if the person is getting a lifelong benefit from it.
There are some cases where people can wear both a hearing aid and cochlear implant at the same time, but this is not always possible. A cochlear implant needs to be surgically placed inside the ear. So, it’s typically only an option for children or adults who have lost their hearing due to illness or injury that have open-canal ear drums. A hearing aid can be worn by anyone, but it cannot provide as much sound amplification as a cochlear implant.
The choice between a hearing aid or a cochlear implant is one that people often have to make. Both devices can be used to provide hearing for someone who has lost their ability to hear, but they are different in some key ways. The decision should be based on the needs of the person with hearing loss and their current lifestyle.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aids Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com
When you are picking up your first pair of hearing aids, it might be difficult to understand why you should have certain features.
If you’re hesitant to buy a hearing aid because of the high pitched voice, which pierces your ear at regular intervals, consider getting a new model with user likes and dislikes in mind.
One of the main features of a hearing aids might be invisibility, but not every person needs it. Wideband is a must have for those listening on TV or podcasts as it boosts very high and soft sounds that can normally do not come into focus on its own.
As the hearing aid industry continues to evolve, they continue to introduce new and better models. Hearing aids that fit discretely on your ear or on the back of your ear and nearly disappear. Now you don’t have to sacrifice quality for a discreet design.
When deciding on which features are most important for your hearing devices, you need to take the following into consideration:
Modern hearing aids go beyond amplifying the sound coming your way; they filter and convert it to digital. This means you can listen to every conversation and enjoy every moment with crystal clear clarity, thus eliminating all communication problems.
Luckily, new hearing aids won’t distract you in the midst of a crowded room. New features turn down external sound if you do not hear it well and hear you clearly when in close proximity with your friend. The new directional microphone feature allows you to focus on a sound and isolate it from the others. As a result, you are able to hear everything is the first go.
This is perhaps one of the best features of today’s hearing aids. Multiple channels allow you to experiment with different setting according to the acoustics of the environment you are in. You might hear the speech louder in some rooms and quieter in other rooms. The memory setting will allow you to adjust the microphone frequency, which will shift the channel automatically when you are certain environment.
Telecoil features, which connects your hearing aids to a loop, allows you to listen clearly in various big and loud places such as sporting arenas, places of worship, musical concerts and more. The list of location is pre-installed on the device and can be routed through Bluetooth.
The binaural processing feature in hearing aids synchronize the two hearing aids for full listening experience. By using this feature, delays or miscommunication can be prevented because there are no longer any differences in input.
Once your hearing aid connects to your mobile device, it stores settings in your hearing preference for different environments and the programming feature will adjust automatically.
It depends on how severe your hearing loss is. You should carefully choose a hearing aid with the features to best serve you and your life. For more information and consulation, please contact us now.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aids Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com
Hearing aids can last for four to six years if you take care of them with regular maintenance and protection from moisture and earwax. However, how old is your hearing aid?
If it’s too outdated, it may be time for a replacement. Here are three things you need to ask yourself before making decision to replace your hearing aids:
Your hearing aids will need to be replaced over time because of environmental elements. If your hearing aids are not working well, you should first get them cleaned by an audiologist. However, if they’re still not functional after they’ve been cleaned, it may be time to purchase new ones.
In the article, they say priorities when considering when to replace your hearing aids. Here are their three priorities:
(1) Can you drive and use speaker phone?
(2) Can you hear during regular conversations or at a party?
(3) Do you hear low-pitched sounds like regular human conversation and finger snapping?
If you answer yes to all of these questions, then you can keep your hearing aids. However, if the problem doesn’t lie with the hearing aid, it Is possible that your hearing has deteriorated further. You may need to get a hearing test to determine if you should get the hearing aid replaced or a little readjustment.
It depends on what more you want from your hearing aids. As your needs change when it comes to hearing aids, you should consult with your provider or hearing professional on new technology. Today’s hearing aid settings include preprogrammed functions such as settings for a party so that background noise can be lowered and conversations can be had more easily. Speak with your provider about the most upgraded model that will suit your needs.
You should generally replace your hearing aids when they’re no longer serving their purpose. This could be because they’ve stopped functioning or you can tell it’s impacting your hearing condition in some way. It’s important to realise that this isn’t enough though – even if your hearing aid is functional, it might not result in optimal results for you and in some cases, it will need to be replaced completely.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aids Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com
Before buying your hearing aids online, make sure to consult an audiologist first for a hearing aids prescription. This is what will accurately identify if you do need a hearing aid. This can’t be done on your own and is why visiting the audiologist previously is important before making the purchase.
Here are five reasons to avoid buying your hearing aid online:
Buying Hearing Aids at a local store insures you will get the right fit and the best quality for your needs. Hearing care professionals make a selection based on different factors such as your age, hearing needs, cosmetic needs, budget and the type of hearing aid that suits your personal need.
You have high odds of getting the wrong product online. By visiting a hearing care professional, you can increase your odds of finding a comfortable and exclusive hearing aid suitable for you.
Device customization may be the reason not to buy hearing aids online. Every person has a different hearing threshold (audiogram) and a particular shape of the ear canal. Hence, it should consider how it measures up to an audiogram as well as the size and shape of what is going into the ear canal. The hearing aid you buy should be programmed for your specific hearing needs and the environment around. These factors should be given special attention and incorporated in the final decision when buying a hearing aid.
Buying hearing aids online can be a risky proposition. Without a qualified hearing professional, you may not have anybody to help out in the future when the device needs programmed on a DIY basis.
Most hearing aid manufacturers do not offer warranties for products bought online. In fact there is a clear disclaimer on many websites and other marketing materials that buying a hearing aid from an online store might void the warranty.
You could save money by buying your hearing aids offline. If you buy your cheaper ones through a professional audiologist for a certain amount of time, you can enjoy free services such as instrument fitting and follow-up visits.
On the other hand, if a device is bought online and not through a hearing professional, you have to pay every time you need help. These visits often end up costing far higher than the amount you save on buying hearing aids online.
Moreover, it could damage your hearing even more if the hearing aid does not fit perfectly. Hence, you are not suggested to buy a hearing aid without consulting an audiologist. If you think you’re experiencing hearing loss, don’t hesitate to contact us for a hearing aid prescription and proper diagnosis.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aids Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com
One of the biggest questions people with hearing loss ask is if it’s possible to buy a hearing aid without a hearing aids prescription. Unfortunately, though getting a hearing aid may not be as cut and dry as it may seem, you still always need to consult a physician before shopping for one.
You need a prescription before you can buy a hearing aid. Hearing aids are small electronic devices that improve your hearing.
It’s often recommended to take a hearing test first in order to obtain a prescription for a hearing aid. Hearing tests are evaluated with various equipment and software used to measure your hearing acuity.
There may be multiple hearing tests or some of them:
The first step before getting a hearing aid is getting your hearing assessed by an audiologist. Tests are often done in order to rule out other underlying conditions, including inner ear infections or wax buildup in the ear canal. They may also perform more in-depth testing in order to assess the severity of the condition.
There are many tests an audiologist can administer to make sure you’re not experiencing any processing issues before you purchase a hearing aid, including testing your hearing for accuracy. They can also feed you some suggestions on what to do if you do need treatment.
There are two classes of hearing aid. One for severe or profound hearing loss, and one for when you have simple wax build-up. Before purchasing a hearing aid without consulting the audiologist, note the severity of your hearing issues.
After a consultation at the audiologist’s office and the prescription you need, it’s time to find a hearing aid that will fit your lifestyle. The type of hearing aid you need depends on what’s more comfortable and the severity of your hearing loss.
With a bit of research, there are a few different options to chose from. Unlike many other hearing aids, you’ll have a follow-up appointment with your audiologist so they can make sure it works properly and set features such as volume control.
While hearing aids can be a great help for many people who have difficulty hearing, they are a medical device. Even though they do not require a prescription, individuals should still consult a doctor to get the correct diagnosis and decide whether or not a hearing aid is right for them.
You cannot buy a hearing aid without consulting an audiologist, so if you think you’re experiencing hearing loss, don’t hesitate to contact us for a proper diagnosis.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aids Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com