hearing aid

Hearing Aids Aren’t Just About the Benefits

While people with hearing loss will benefit from the use of hearing aids, these devices have their side effects, too. These side effects have significant adverse impact on the quality of life of their users, from headaches and tinnitus to feedback. Fortunately, there are certain measures that can be done to minimize these side effects.

 

The Side Effects in Brief

Keep in mind that every individual will experience these side effects in a unique manner. You may, for example, suffer from intermittent headaches and tinnitus but not from itchiness in your ears. Your headaches, furthermore, may be mild in contrast with other hearing aid users with moderate severity.

 

  • Headaches and tinnitus

Newbies are more likely to experience headaches and tinnitus because the volume of their hearing aids aren’t properly set yet. There’s also the matter of getting accustomed to the hearing aids so much so that ordinary sounds seem abnormally loud or annoying.

 

  • Discomfort, soreness and irritation

Since hearing aids are placed inside the ear canal, these can cause discomfort for a week or so. Your ears are still adjusting to the foreign object, and it can be worsened when the hearing aids are too tight or too loose. Too tight and the hearing aids rub on the skin; too loose and these can slip and slide.

 

  • Itchiness in the ear canal

The itching in your ear canal can be caused by dry skin and you will be tempted to take out your hearing aids to scratch the itch. But we strongly advise otherwise because sticking a finger or a cotton but into your ear canal can worsen the damage in your ears.

 

  • Feedback

Hearing aids are highly sensitive instruments that can be affected by environmental noise and mishandling. This can result in feedback, such as crackling and whistling sounds, even heightened sounds from ordinary activities. This can also be caused by the improper sound quality and level.

 

If you experience these side effects even when it’s your second set of hearing aids, you shouldn’t worry about it. Every pair of hearing aids is unique so adjustments will likely be necessary.

 

The Countermeasures Against These Side Effects

Your first step is to discuss your concerns and complaints about your hearing aids with your audiologist. Every side effect has a countermeasure to minimize or prevent it so there’s hope.

 

A few of these countermeasures are discussed below.  

  • Work with your audiologist to ensure that your hearing aids are properly fitted
  • Take good care of your hearing aids
  • Moisturize your ear canal with drops or spray to lessen the itching
  • Learn and understand the features on your hearing aids so that you can adjust the volume quality and level
  • Consult with your doctor about persistent headaches, tinnitus and discomfort

 

Hearing aids are tools and just like any other tool, it’s your responsibility to know its proper use and maintenance.

 

If you think you need a hearing aid, make sure that you get a hearing aid prescription. For more details of our hearing test & assessment, and hearing aid services, please contact HK Hearing & Speech Centre.

 

 

Source:

HK Hearing & Speech Centre

Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,

and Hearing Aid Prescription

http://www.hkhearingspeech.com

These Aren’t Bells And Whistles On Hearing Aids!

Basic hearing aids and cochlear implants are, of course, still useful in better hearing for hearing-impaired individuals. But modern hearing aid technology provides them with more features that give them more control over what they hear, when they hear it, and how loud they hear it! Yes, these features may initially seem like bells and whistles, especially since these add to the cost, but these are crucial in better hearing.

 

Directional Microphones

 

Background noise is among the biggest hurdles that hearing-impaired people deal with on a daily basis, said noise of which can include crackles, hisses and buzz resembling tinnitus. While it’s harmless, it can drown out the sounds that you want to hear like your family and friends’ conversations, music, and incoming traffic.

 

The problem, fortunately, can be solved with directional microphones that work in two

complementary ways. First, these pick up and amplify sound from a single direction; and second, these filter out background noise. You will then hear more of the primary sounds you want to hear and less of the ambient noise.

 

Most modern hearing aids have built-in directional microphones. Many of these have an automatic feature, too, that allows them to pick up sound from one direction (e.g., conversations) or from several directions (e.g., music).

 

Personal Sound Amplifiers

 

These are popular because of their cheaper prices and non-regulated status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Think of them as the auditory counterpart of over-the-counter reading glasses – you don’t need hearing aids prescription to buy them!

 

Basically, personal sound amplifiers are like hearing aids except that these can be quite powerful and loud. While these can improve hearing for hearing-impaired people, these can also be quite harmful because of the potential damage to the ears.

 

If you have hearing difficulties, you should go to your doctor or consult with an audiologist first so that the treatment can be customized to your needs.

 

Hearing Loops and Telecoils

 

While conventional hearing aids are useful in face-to-face conversations, these can be less useful in larger settings like airports, theaters and stadiums. This is where hearing loops and telecoils come in. In a loop system, one or more microphones are connected to an amplifier and a wire loop, the latter of which sends sounds via electromagnetic waves. The sound signals are picked up by your hearing aid – or in some cases, by a telecoil, a cochlear implant – that allows amplification of sound. You can hear the sounds clearly that you will forget you ever have hearing issues!

 

With the connected society we have now, even hearing aids are connected to smartphones, tablets and computers. The connection typically comes via Bluetooth technology that links your hearing aids to your devices so you can hear music, make phone calls, and listen to Waze directions, among others.

 

We are specialist of hearing test & assessment, hearing aid prescription, and subsequent professional hearing aid services.   Please contact us at 3100 0555 for free consulation.

 

 

Source:

HK Hearing & Speech Centre

Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,

and Hearing Aid Prescription

https://www.hkhearingspeech.com

The Types Of Modern Hearing Aids And Their Applications

Did you know that the National Institutes of Health estimates that only one in five people who require hearing aids wear them? This isn’t so surprising considering that old-fashioned hearing aids have a clunky design – big in size, small in features with audible buzzes and whistles that worsen hearing loss instead of improving hearing capacity.

 

Fortunately, digital technology has ushered in a new age in hearing aids! These products are now significantly smaller in size while offering better features, thanks partly to microcomputers. These are virtually invisible, if you want to be discreet about your hearing loss, too.

 

Styles to Choose From

 

Check your hearing aids prescription since it may contain one of these modern types of the device.

 

  • In-the-ear (ITE) devices completely fit in the outer ear typically used in the management of mild to severe hearing loss. Made of hard plastic, the case holds the circuitry but the device itself can be damaged by ear drainage and wax buildup.

 

  • Behind-the-ear (BTE) devices are obviously worn behind the ear with a plastic earmold fitting inside the outer ear. These are typically prescribed for people with mild to profound hearing loss, as well as can be linked to your cellphone using Bluetooth technology. Basically, you can hear directly from your phone so there’s little to no background noise – and it’s definitely a cool feature.

 

  • In-the-canal (ITC) devices are customized according to the unique size and shape of your ear canal. These are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss, as well as the most popular type of hearing aids since these are small in size and fits well into the ear canal without being placed deep in it that there’s reduced reception.

 

Your audiologist and/or ear specialist will suggest the best type of hearing aids in your case depending on your type and severity of hearing loss, among other factors. In general, the more severe the hearing loss, the larger the size of the hearing aids, ostensibly to accommodate more wires and circuitry.

 

Workings of the Devices

 

Regardless of your chosen type, these hearing aids work like a topnotch stereo sound system. These filter out the background noise, adjust the volume, and improve the sound quality automatically. These are also programmed through their microcomputers to match the subtle aspects of your unique hearing loss – think of it as your very own equalizer and you get the idea.

 

Modern hearing aids also have a directional microphone, among the biggest improvements in these devices, which act as a filter against background noise. If you want to hear better even in a relatively noisy environment, then ask your audiologist for hearing aids with a directional microphone.

 

If you want even better performance, you may want to shell out a few hundred dollars more for hearing aids with digital circuitry. Basically, these devices have a microphone, a receiver and a computer chip as well as a battery that precisely matches your response time, among other aspects of your hearing loss.

 

If you think you need to buy a hearing aid, make sure that you get a hearing aid prescription. Also note that the programs on these devices may be modified, but ask your audiologist first before making any changes. We are specialist of hearing test & assessment and provide hearing aid prescription.

 

 

Source:

HK Hearing & Speech Centre

Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,

and Hearing Aid Prescription

https://www.hkhearingspeech.com

Hearing Aids Are Easy To Get (Here’s How!)

Hearing aids are obviously necessary for people who are hard of hearing. But while these are affordable and easy to buy, you should ideally secure a hearing aids prescription for this purpose. Here are a few important things that you should consider in this regard.

 

Examinations Are Recommended

 

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), undergoing a medical examination before purchasing hearing aids will be in the best health interests of concerned individuals. The medical examination should be performed by a licensed physician, preferably an ear specialist, to ensure the right fit.

 

But the FDA also says that it doesn’t plan on enforcing the medical examination requirement for consumers 18 years of age and older in the purchase of certain types of hearing aids. For minor consumers (i.e., 17 years of age and below), it will continue to enforce the requirement that requires physicians to rule out medical causes of hearing loss before issuing a prescription.

 

Regardless of your age, however, we strongly recommend getting a medical evaluation first before purchasing hearing aids. Keep in mind that the incorrect hearing aids can worsen your hearing issues and it can become irreversible.

 

There are two examinations that you will likely undergo: 

 

  • A medical examination should be performed by an otolaryngologist to determine the possible causes of your hearing issues. These underlying causes can be an injury, an infection, or a deformity, perhaps tumors.
  • An audiogram involves the evaluation of your hearing capacity by a hearing health professional known as an audiologist. Your type and level of hearing loss will be determined during the exam, as well as the possible medical and/or surgical treatment. You may also be referred to a physician or a therapist for rehabilitation purposes.

 

You can be provided with a hearing aids prescription by one of these professionals.

 

Make a Smart Choice

 

Even with the prescription, you should carefully consider your choices – and there’s a wide range of hearing aids available, too, with features that can confuse an ordinary consumer. Your foremost consideration should be comfort, convenience and ease of use as well as the best compensation possible for your hearing loss. You will be wearing them for most part of the day so these are crucial aspects in your choice.

 

You should also consider the parts and services covered by the warranty, the options in basic features and upgrades, and the estimated cost of maintenance and repair. You have to consider, too, the manufacturer’s customer service and overall reputation.

 

Once you have worn then, you have to wear them regularly. You have to be patient since it will require time before you can become accustomed to hearing aids and their specific features.

 

If you think if you or your child needs a hearing aid, make sure that you get a hearing aid prescription. We are ENT specialist providing hearing test and assessment and hearing aid prescription.

 

 

Source:

HK Hearing & Speech Centre

Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,

and Hearing Aid Prescription

https://www.hkhearingspeech.com

Handling Hearing Aids With Care

Getting your hearing aids prescription is just the start of your journey! You have to handle them with proper care, too, not only because these can be expensive but, more importantly, because these are crucial for your enjoyment of a better quality of life.

 

General Tips

 

Always use the proper tools for the job! A wax pick and brush are a must for removing earwax buildup at the ends of the hearing aids; letting it be can result in a whistling effect that, when left unresolved, can damage the receiver.

 

Avoid exposing your hearing aids in water and other fluids. Wash your face, take a shower or a bath, and swim without your hearing aids since soap and water can damage them. Get them out, too, when you’re applying hair products like gels and sprays since these can also cause damage.

 

Clean your hearing aids every day, preferably before going to bed. This way, they have several hours to air out, so to speak. But don’t used alcohol and other chemicals when cleaning them.

 

Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, too. Too hot days in winter and too cold temperatures in summer can warp them so leave them inside the house where they can be protected from the elements.

 

Place them in a dedicated container, too. You don’t want them being squashed or warped by the weight of other objects.  Keep them out of reach of children, if you’re an adult user, too.

 

Care for ITE Hearing Aids

 

In the ear hearing aids require special care and these steps should help.

 

  • Be sure to clean the openings, such as the microphone ports, with a soft brush; use either the brush provided in the hearing aids kit or a clean soft-bristle brush to remove the wax buildup.
  • Hold a hearing aid with its opening (i.e., the one being cleaned) so it faces downward; it will help in dislodging loose particles inside.
  • Clear stubborn particles using either wax pick or hook.
  • Wipe the device with either a tissue or a clean, dry cloth; a microfiber cloth will suffice.

 

Care for BTE Hearing Aids

 

Behind the ear hearing aids have earmolds that require cleaning, too, so these steps are more appropriate.

 

  • Clean the device just as you would with the ITE hearing aids except for the earmolds.
  • Remove the earmold from the hook prior to cleaning it. Wipe them using a clean, soft and dry cloth daily as well as soak them in warm, soapy water once a week; this will prevent stains and discolorations. Allow them to dry completely after soaking, preferably overnight, before using them again; don’t use other chemicals including alcohol on them.

 

If you notice a strong odor coming from your hearing aids, you should check with your ear doctor since it can be a sign of an ear infection.

 

If you think you need a hearing aid, make sure that you get a hearing aid prescription. Also note that the programs on these devices may be modified, but ask your ENT doctor first before making any changes. We are specialist of hearing test and assessment and provide hearing aid prescription.

 

 

Source:

HK Hearing & Speech Centre

Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,

and Hearing Aid Prescription

https://www.hkhearingspeech.com

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HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Rm 02, 5/F.,
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Fax: (852) 3100 0556