Hearing Aids Doctor

What Are Hearing Aid Accessories?

2010-03-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

To the average person, a hearing aid is a self-contained item. Essentially, most people think it consists of nothing more than the hearing aid itself and the battery that powers it. There is more than meets the eye though. Hearing aid accessories and add-ons can improve their performance and help them last longer.

Hearing aid accessories can contribute to the proper functioning of the hearing aid. A hearing aid is an expensive and important piece of equipment. To not purchase vital accessories that can help in its use would be quite irresponsible to both yourself and others. So, let us take a look at what is found in a common accessory package.

A Common Hearing Aid Accessories Package

Most people who own a hearing aid should consider buying a standard accessories package. This will include crucial items needed to maintain the proper functioning of the hearing device. The standard accessory package includes a battery tester, antiseptic spray, cleaning tools, etc. The cleaning accessories will maintain the life of the hearing aid, because bacteria may have a corrosive effect on it. In addition, the use of the cleaning agents reduces the chances of an infection occurring if the bacteria spread to the ear.

Another component, the battery tester, is a very useful item to have as part of your kit, since it is important to know exactly what the power and strength of the battery is all the time. If you don't know how your battery is performing, there can be a number of embarrassing situations that may result.

Moreover, you might want to consider buying a carrying case for your hearing aid accessories. A carrying case will keep the components from harm, and it will also keep them in one place. It wouldn't be good if the accessories became separated and lost. These items can be small, and they are easier to find when they are all kept together in a pouch or case.

Are Used Hearing Aid Accessories Worth It?

Some people might want to save money by buying used kits. This is a basically a judgment call on the part of the consumer. Some people might think that buying accessories used is too much of a risk, as the accessory package may not be functional or complete. Others feel perfectly fine buying things second hand. In the end, the choice is up to the consumer.

Hearing Aids - Styles and Features

2010-03-16T00:04:00.000-07:00

Modern hearing aids are complex and custom-made digital electrolytically devices that can be computer programmed to amplify sounds at certain frequencies. While the technology used in digital hearing aids has dramatically increased in the last fifty years, all hearing instruments retain the same basic functions and pieces.

Basic Hearing Aid Functions:

In all hearing aids sound waves enter through the microphone, which converts acoustic signals into electrical signals or pulses. The amplifier then increases the strength of the electrical signal and cleans up any noise it detects. This electrical signal is then converted back into an acoustic signal so that the user can hear it. The receiver then channels the sound into the ear canal. A battery supplies the needed power for these conversion processes. Many digital hearing aids also have many features and controls like toggle switch, volume control wheels, push buttons, remote controls, and directional microphones that enable the wearer to hear better in different listening environments.

Hearing Aid Styles

All of theses styles differ in size and function. Some are so small that no one can even tell you are wearing a hearing aid; some are so powerful that even the most profound hearing loss can be helped. The right hearing aid for you depends on the technology level you need, your hearing loss, your hearing needs, your lifestyle, your budget, and personal preference. Larger hearing aids typically have larger batteries which can last longer than smaller hearing aids. They can also have more features such as directional microphones and telecoils (for telephone usage) and have a lower price tag. Smaller hearing aids have less features, but they are virtually invisible.

Hearing Aids are available in around seven different styles: Body, Eyeglass, Behind The Ear (BTE), In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal (ITC), Completely In Canal (CIC), Receiver in the Canal (RIC), and Open Ear (OE). While body and eyeglass aids comprised most of the hearing aid market 50 years ago, they are only a small percentage of hearing instrument sales today. This is because the other styles of hearing aids are smaller and more advanced.

BTE (Open Ear, Receiver in Canal, and Traditional)

Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aids are extremely flexible for all types of hearing loss. The hearing device is housed within a curved shell that sits behind each ear and delivers sound through a tube. A traditional BTE delivers the sound via a small tube into a custom fit earmold. A more recent innovation is called open ear technology and receiver in canal technology. In these two styles the sound is delivered via a very thin tube into an earbud which is a small, flexible, and comfortable piece. This type of system provides enhanced natural sound quality for both outside sounds and your own voice.

ITE

In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aids are very easy to operate even if the user has poor dexterity. The hearing device is housed within a custom-made shell that fits comfortably inside each ear and delivers sound directly to the ear. This hearing aid typically fills the outer part of the ear.

ITC

In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aids can barely be seen and are very easy to operate, even if the user has poor dexterity. The hearing device is housed within a custom-made shell that fits comfortably inside each ear canal and delivers sound directly to the ear.

CIC

CIC hearing aids are virtually invisible to others. The hearing device is housed in a tiny shell that fits comfortably and completely into each ear canal. The device is removed from the ear canal by pulling a tiny cord. Where these miniature instruments are both powerful and cosmetically appealing, some features- like volume control, are not available simply because the devices are so small. This style is available with traditional small vents, or with larger vents that provide an open ear feeling.

The hearing aid style and technology level that is right for you depends on your hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget. Talk with your audiologist or hearing care professional about what is right for you.

Need Of Hearing Aid Battery?

2010-03-11T22:22:00.000-08:00

For getting optimum level of performance of hearing aids, one part, which plays a vital role, is the use of battery. The best discount hearing aids batteries are available on particular market marts and shops. In regard to discount hearing aids batteries, attorney general advice is the helping guide to choose the best one battery.

Parameters For Getting Discount Hearing Aids Batteries:

For buying best discount hearing aids batteries many factors do effect. Among these warranty times of the battery, size of the battery and standard are important.

Warranty For Batteries

It is important to note that there must be a warranty time period for discount hearing aids battery. One should not buy it from shopkeeper, which does not offer any type of the warranty for those particular discount hearing aids batteries. In fact the things like warranty and receipt for such sensitive devices shows a confidence in purchasing these items from a shopkeeper.

Size Of The Battery

Among other parameters size of the discount hearing aids batteries has also its own role. It is not necessary that every person must have same battery size for hearing a device because different hearing devices are compatible with different size of the batteries. In this case at the time of purchasing discount hearing aids batteries one should have the knowledge about the size of the battery. So there should be some tactics and a methodology to keep in mind about the size of the discount hearing ai d batteries.

Color-Coding Scheme

There are different standards and coding schemes to recognize the best quality of discount hearing aids battery among those, color-coding scheme is most popular. In this standard different sizes of the discount hearing aids batteries are given different colors for their recognition as trademark. So, red color carries number five size, yellow carries ten and so on.

Life Duration Of A Battery

Different discount hearings aid batteries with different sizes have different life period. Since every invention has a particular time period as far as its best working condition is questioned so the same case is with the sensitive batteries of discount hearing aids batteries. Normally best hearing aid batteries work efficiently from four days to one-month maximum time.

Precautions For Best Usage Of Hear Aid Battery

There are many important precautions, which can be adopted in order to get best efficiency from best discount hearing aids batteries. Some of them are as under:

Charging Storage Capacity

The battery should be charged properly so that the power storage becomes maximized; sometimes chargers do not work properly. One should have deep concern in selecting best chargers. Storage capacity may vary to different length of time for different chargers manufactured by different companies.

Usage Of Old And New Batteries

One should not use the combination of new and old batteries as the discharging ability of old ones can disturb the charging performance of new batteries.

Temperature Affect

Best discount hearing aid batteries are susceptible to the bad affect of hard temperature as it assists in deteriorating the movement of charging careers in the battery structure of which zinc is a main part.

How to Find Discount Hearing Aids

2010-03-10T22:58:00.000-08:00

The American Hearing Aid Association estimates that 10% of the U.S. population experiences some form of hearing loss. Most of us know someone in our families who may be a little hard of hearing. Hearing loss is especially common in the elderly and in people who have worked many years in noise polluted environments. The elderly and those without the means to purchase expensive hearing aids will likely stick it out and simply deal with their hearing loss.

If you are considering purchasing a hearing aid, be sure to research all of your options to find the model and price range that suits your needs. You should expect to get a hearing aid for dirt cheap, but with careful planning you should be able to negotiate prices and find an excellent deal.

One way of finding discount hearing aids is to locate wholesale hearing aid dealers. A good source for wholesale products is Hearingpanet.com. This website offers accessories of hearing aids. Having a trial period is important, as this will likely be a large investment, and you need to ensure the hearing aid meets your needs.
You can also consult with your physician or audiologist to find wholesale hearing aids. It is often the case that specialists have inside information on the best places to purchase discount hearing aids. Identifying your specific type of hearing loss and the best model for you is a crucial first step. Doctors and audiologists can often refer you to a store or online market that specializes in discount or wholesale hearing aids and accessories.

If you do some research and price comparison you may be able to get great discounts on wholesale hearing aids. Pricing will vary on the make, model and features of the particular hearing aid. You need to be familiar with what features you need for your situation.

Cheap Hearing Aids

Hearingpanet.com is an excellent resource for information and hearing aid products. Through this website you can find great deals on wholesale and cheap hearing aids and accessories. This website offers micro-inner ear hearing aids . Other models are available depending upon your needs and this may be the best place to begin your search.

cheap hearing aids does not necessarily mean they will be of substandard or poor quality. It is important to be an informed and careful consumer when looking for cheap hearing aids.

As with any purchase of a substantial amount, comparing prices is essential. Depending upon your specific needs, various companies have great deals on multiple brands and styles. When buying online, make sure you understand the company's return policy.

Digital Hearing Aids Offer Better Hearing

2010-03-02T23:06:00.000-08:00

Today's digital hearing aids are the most popular form of hearing amplification in use, due largely to the many advantages they have over older, analog hearing aids. Although digital models cost a bit more than analog, the improved control, clarity and reliability makes them well worth the investment.

Digital Hearing Aids Offer Better Hearing Than Analog

One of the most obvious advantages of digital hearing aids is the increased quality of your hearing. The computer chips in digital hearing aids are precisely programmed so they more accurately correct your hearing loss.

Digital hearing aids convert sound into discreet units that can be continually adjusted by the hearing aid's computer chip. This leads to improved sound quality. Each individual sound unit is precisely adjusted, and the sound components are put back together for instant listening.

The precision adjustment of digital hearing aids is a major part of their popularity. Your audiologist can precisely tune a digital hearing aid to match and work with your specific type and degree of hearing loss. They are customized and can be reprogrammed to accommodate changes in an individual's hearing.

Digital Hearing Aids Have More and Better Features

The computer chip in digital hearing aids makes it easier for the wearer to make his or her own adjustments and take advantage of a variety of options not available with most analog hearing aids. Feedback control eliminates the sharp whistle or squawk of a hearing aid when it is used too near a telephone or other device, or when you hug someone. Digital hearing aids have fewer unpleasant sound "side effects" that are common with analog devices.

Digital hearing aids also make listening more comfortable and more pleasurable. They tend to have a crisper, cleaner sound quality because of such features like multiple listening bands or channels with each band addressing a particular sound pitch. This reduces the background noise or chatter that was once common with analog hearing aids. The improved sound clarity makes users much more comfortable in situations where there are a variety of noises at varying volumes and pitches.

The latest innovation in digital hearing aids is specific voice recognition. The computer chip picks out and enhances the sound of the spoken voice while tempering background noise such as music, the wind or traffic. This digital speech enhancement is one of the most exciting advances in digital hearing aids and can add to the user's understanding of conversations in crowded or noisy situations.

Digital hearing aids also use directional microphones to improve the capture and enhancement of sounds, usually speech, in a particular direction. Most directional microphones pick up the sound directly in front of the user, in order to amplify conversational speech, and reduce the sound from behind so it doesn't interfere.

If you're considering hearing aids to help you better understand what's going on around you, be sure to consider digital hearing aids for the best sound quality, clarity and range of options.

Hearing Aid Batteries

2010-02-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

Which battery do I need?

Hearing aid batteries and Cochlear Implant Batteries have been standardized across the board now, and as such are fairly easy to identify. There are four sizes available, size 10, size 312, size 13 and size 675.

They are color coded for ease of recognition. Size 10 batteries are coded with yellow labels and packaging, size 312 are coded brown, size 13 are orange and size 675 are blue.

Most of the smaller hearing devices from Phonak, Resound or Oticon will use a size 312 (brown) or a size 10 (yellow) battery. Some of the larger digital hearing instruments will use the size 13, and a few power aids such as the Oticon Sumo or the Phonak Naida will use the size 675.

As a rule, the larger the batteries, the more life you will get from it and the longer you will be able to listen to your hearing instruments without needing to change the battery. Newer hearing devices, do generally tend to be smaller which is clearly desirable from a cosmetics perspective. These smaller hearing instruments tend to use 10 or 312 batteries. Try to find a quality battery brand such as Rayon, which are specifically designed and manufactured for hearing aid wearers. These will most likely provide better performance with your hearing devices than other brands. You may find that some brands of hearing aid batteries will provide a recycling facility where you can send them back and these can be reused.

Types of Hearing Aids

2010-02-09T00:03:00.000-08:00

Since hearing aids where first developed years and years ago we have seen so many different styles and advancements in their technology. We first sore hearing aids as these big chunky things that sit behind the ear, these day you can get hearing aids which sit deep in your ear and can't be seen. Below I have a list of some of the most common hearing aids and a description of them.

Behind-The-Ear (BTH)

Behind-The-Ear hearing aids are largest hearing aids where by the hearing sits behind the ear. To get the incoming sound from the hearing aid to your ear, incoming sounds come into the hearing aid and than pass through a plastic tube connected to your ear. These hearing aids are often the least expensive, most reliable and house the most features and power in controlling what the hearing aid can do.

In-The-Ear (ITE)

These hearing aids are not as big as the BTH hearing aids and sit just inside the ear. These hearing aids do not have a large section that sits behind the ear and do not have a tube that runs to the ear. The ITE hearing aids are very comfortable and are also not very expensive (more expensive than BTH) which makes them a great choice if you are looking for something relatively inexpensive and of a smallish nature.

In-The Canal (ITC)

These are smaller than the ITE hearing aids and sit a bit further in the ear so they are not as noticeable. Because they are small they require a lot of skill to control however if you can find it easy to control them they are a great choice. Once again because these are smaller and not as noticeable they are more expensive than the ITE hearing aids.

Completely-In-Canal (CIC)

Completely in canal units are the smallest hearing aids to ever be made, they are so small and site so far down your ear that they require a string to remove them. These hearing aids do not have manual controls since they are so small and can be difficult to remove if you have not been shown how. However the good thing about these hearing aids is that they are totally unnoticeable and have a good sound, they are also the most expensive because they are so small.

Mini-Canals (MC)

Mini canals are great if you want something small but can't quite afford CIC hearing aids, they are the size between ITC and CIC. They also come with a very small volume wheel and are easier to remove than the CIC hearing aids. These are cheaper than the CIC hearing aids since they are a bit larger.

Post-Auricular-Canal (PAC)

These types of hearing aids are new to the market and were created in a bid to separate the processor and the receiver from each other to make a smaller hearing aid without compromising quality and features. What happens is that the small processor sits just behind the ear and than the speaker and receiver sits deep down in the canal. These hearing aids are great since they offer a lot of comfort and feature options.

7 Tips On Buying Hearing Aids

2010-02-08T00:50:00.000-08:00

Do you need a hearing aid but don't know where to start? With so many features, styles, brands and prices to choose from, it's no wonder why shopping for a hearing aid can be a daunting task for a new user.
Here are 7 tips to guide you on buying a hearing aid.

1. Hearing Test

The first step is to get tested by a hearing professional or audiologist. The type of hearing aid that is best suited for you will be determined in part by the type and level of hearing loss you have. The professional will be able to assess your hearing needs so you can choose the correct hearing aid.

2. Analog vs. Digital Hearing Aids

Years ago hearing aids were all analog. Today, most hearing aids are digital. Digital hearing aids provide high quality sound amplification, advanced features and fine-tuning that was not possible with analog aids. Some companies still make analog hearing aids, however, be sure to compare these with the digital ones before making your final decision.

3. Styles Of Hearing Aids

There are 4 main styles of hearing aids available. The style you are best suited for depends on the type of hearing loss you have as well as your comfort.

- Behind The Ear (BTE): Fits over the ear and rests behind it. Typically the least expensive style.

- In The Ear (ITE): The most common type, this sits in the ear

- In The Ear Canal (ITC): This type fits slightly lower into the ear and is not very noticeable.

- Completely In The Ear Canal (CIC): Fits down into the ear canal. This style requires the most fitting and is the least visible to others.

4. Features

Hearing aids today come with a myriad of features. These range from the necessary, such as noise canceling, to the more luxurious, such as remote control. Digital hearing aids offer state-of-the-art technology that helps to reduce feedback and allows for clearer hearing even in situations where there is background noise. Digital hearing aids offer more options for adjustments than analog hearing aids, making it easier to adapt to a new hearing aid.

5. Budget

Once you know the style of hearing aid that suits you best, compare prices across various brands as they vary greatly. The prices are most expensive for hearing aids with latest technology and advanced features. Even if you don't have a lot to spend you will still be able to find a quality hearing aid with enough features to fulfill your needs.

6. Warranties

When choosing a hearing aid it is important to ask about the warranty. Find out the warranty period and what is covered. Ask if any fitting problems are covered because this could get expensive if multiple trips are needed.

7. Choose One Or Two Hearing Aids

If you have hearing loss in only one ear, you will do well with only one hearing aid. However, as both ears tend to be affected by age and noise related hearing loss, wearing two hearing aids will actually help you to differentiate and determine where sounds are coming from. Most digital hearing aids require two to be worn to achieve maximum benefits.

Troubleshooting Guide For Common Hearing Aids Problems

2010-01-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

Persons who use hearing aid devices, can sometimes find themselves stuck with progressively depreciating performance of these useful tools due to a variety of causes. This article offers useful guidelines for diagnosing/resolving hearing aids problems. It ends by offering download access to a one-page (Acrobat PDF) "Troubleshooting Chart For Common Hearing Aids Problems" that makes the process of finding your needed hearing aid solution more straightforward.

The following are common hearing aids problems that users encounter. I suggest possible causes and solutions to each of them using a bullet point approach.

1. If Hearing Aid makes "Whistling" sound, this could be caused by:

a. The earmold being wrongly inserted. Action: Check and re-insert the earmold if necessary.
b. Or it may not be a good fit. Action: In this case, you would need to have the mould replaced.
c. The tube may be cracked. Action: Check the tubing carefully, and if you find any cracks, replace it.
d. Volume setting may be too high. Action: Check volume setting and turn down if necessary.

2. If it makes "scratchy, hissing or frying" sound or keeps going on and off, that could be due to:

a. Dust collected in switch contact/controls. Action: Repeatedly move switch forward/backwards to remove any collected dust etc
b. Poor battery contact. Action: Check that battery contacts.
c. Exposure to humidity, or excessive perspiration causing moisture to clog hearing aid and distort sounds. Action: Use a drying container or hearing aid dehumidifier (e.g. kit using a desiccant like silica which absorbs moisture from the aid).

3. If the hearing aid produces weaker sound than normal, possible causes include:

a. Battery may be weak. Action: Replace battery and check sound again.
b. The earmold may be wrongly inserted. Action: Re-insert the earmold.
c. Wax may be built up in the ear canal; or partially clogging the earmold. Action: Go to doctor for ear check (with ear speculum). Have ear &/or ear mold cleaned if necessary.
d. Tubing may be cracked or with moisture. Action: Check for cracks or condensation. Have tubing cleaned of moisture if possible. If cracked, replace tubing.

4. If the aid produces no sound:

a. Maybe it is not turned ON. Action:Check switch and turn ON if necessary.
b. Battery not correctly inserted - or wrong size. Action:Check battery position/size. Adjust/replace if needed. If it does not go in readily, adjust entry approach or get correct size.
c. The ear mould may be clogged. Action: Have ear mold cleaned.
d. The battery may be dead or its contacts corroded. Action: Replace with new battery. Clean corroded contacts - a pencil eraser can be used. Replace contacts if worn.
e. The tubing may be blocked or bent. Action: Check tubing. Clean or replace if necessary.

5. And if it produces a buzzing, humming, or whining noise, that could be due to:

Mobile phone interference. This is because mobile phones/PCs emit radio frequency and electromagnetic radiation which can cause a "buzzing, humming, or whining" noise.

You will check that the phone is hearing aid compatible by looking for the icon imprinted on it.

In the USA, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) reportedly requires cell phones to be rated as to how much interference they are likely to cause to hearing aids.

The rating scale ranges from 1 to 4. The four possibilities are: M1 or T1 (poor), M2 or T2 (fair), M3 or T3 (good) and M4 or T4 (excellent). Only phones rated 3 or 4 are allowed to be sold as hearing aid compatible (HAC).

Phones that would have only been rated 1 or 2 are deemed unacceptable.

How to Get a Correct Hearing Aid

2010-01-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

Hearing aids come in a variety of styles and designs and each has its own set of technological and structural benefits. The "correct" hearing aid for you depends both on your tastes and the severity of your hearing loss.

- Visit your regular physician if you think you have hearing loss. He will administer basic hearing tests and look in your ear for other explanations such as ear wax accumulation. If he suspects hearing loss, he will you refer you to a otolaryngologist (ENT doctor). She will diagnose the extent of your hearing loss. Not all hearing loss will benefit from hearing aids. Hearing aids are best for people who have experienced sensor neural hearing loss.

- Discuss the current available hearing aid options with your ENT. The right hearing aid is a combination of preference and the seriousness of your hearing loss. For instance, you may want a barely visibly "complete in-the-ear" hearing aid. Although the moldable in-the-ear options are great due to their lack of ambient noise feedback and their inconspicuous nature, they may not help as much with severe hearing loss.

- Consider some of the more noticeable hearing aids if your doctor notes more severe hearing loss. People with severe hearing loss may benefit from full shell and behind the ear models. While these types of hearing aids may provide better amplification for serious hearing loss, they are chunkier and clearly visible.

- Get any appropriate ear molds. A hearing specialist (known as an audiologist) will take an ear mold and fit you with your hearing aid. Follow your audiologist's instructions and note what you like or don't like about the hearing aid. If your aid doesn't improve your hearing, produces too much feedback or displeases you aesthetically, your audiologist will find a more suitable model.

Tips & Warnings

- If you have a lot of earwax but also have genuine hearing loss, consider an open fit "behind-the-ear" model. The open fit will prevent any damage that ear wax may cause to the devise. In addition, it's less visible than the traditional behind-the-ear model. Once you have a hearing aid you want to try, look into the details about the aid's trial periods. Since it's sometimes hard to get the perfect aid on the first try, most aids will have warranties and adjustment period pricing plans.

- Many health insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids. Read through your plan before you make a financial commitment. Watch out for any audiologist that seems to represent a particular type or brand of hearing aid. Scams are always possible. Try to find referrals from a reputable source such as your ENT doctor.

Hearing aids: How to choose the right one

2009-12-07T01:13:00.000-08:00

Hearing aid options

Some hearing aid options improve your ability to hear in specific situations:

* Directional microphones. These microphones pick up sounds coming from in front of you better than coming from behind or beside you. This technology improves your ability to hear when you're in an environment with a lot of background noise. Typically you'll have both a regular microphone and a directional microphone, so you can switch between the two types. Some hearing aids automatically switch between the regular and directional modes.
* Telephone adapters. This technology, also referred to as telecoil T switches, makes it easier to hear when talking on the telephone. The telecoil eliminates the sounds from your environment and only picks up the sounds from the telephone. Some hearing aids switch automatically when the phone is held up to the hearing aid, while others require flipping a switch. Keep in mind that this technology works only with telephones that are compatible with hearing aids — most cell phones aren't.
* Bluetooth technology. New hearing aids can transmit sound from Bluetooth devices, such as Bluetooth cell phones. These hearing aids require an interface that wirelessly picks up the Bluetooth signal from Bluetooth compatible devices and transmits the signal to the hearing aid. You don't have to hold the phone to your ear or hearing aid to hear the sounds.
* Remote controls. Some hearing aids use a remote control that makes volume control adjustments or other changes without touching the hearing aid. The remote may also make other adjustments, such as activating the directional microphone or increasing the noise reduction.

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Hearing Planet blog provides hearing aids doctor and hearing devices through a national network of hearing aid clinics with multiple brands,such as Hearing Aids, Discount hearing aids, Buy Hearing aids, Hearing aid, Hearing Aids for Sale, Hearing Aids Online, Digital Hearing Aids, Hearing Aid Comparisons, Hearing Aid Reviews, Compare Hearing Aid Brands, Hearing Device Models, Phonak Hearing Aids, Resound Hearing Aids, Siemens Hearing Aids, Sonic Innovations Hearing Aids, Researching Hearing Aids, Oticon Hearing Aids, Widex Hearing Aids, Starkey Hearing Aids.ns and others and independent advice to ensure the right hearing aid for you.

News For The Five Stages of Grieving - Over Loss of Hearing

2009-12-07T00:53:00.000-08:00

The other day, Daniel Allen, chief audiologist and vice-president of Audiotech HealthCare Corporation was discussing the readiness of some of the patients who come into the clinic, to be fitted for a hearing aid. He said, "I send, on average, 3 or 4 patients per year away because they aren't ready for hearing aids. Sometimes a husband or a wife will drag their spouse in to have their hearing tested, but that person is still in denial. What good is it to fit them for a hearing aid? They will just take it home, toss it on a nightstand and never wear it. Would you wear a hearing aid if you thought that your hearing was fine?"

"What can you do? Give the client the results of his hearing tests, discuss the options that he has and then give him time. Help him along in his grieving process 'the five stages of grieving'. When he's ready, he'll come back.

So, what are the five stages of grieving? The concept of these stages was first conceived by Elisabeth Kubler Ross, a renowned Swiss-American psychiatrist. She gave the Western World new insight into the treatment and care of the terminally ill. In her best-selling book, On Death and Dying (1969), she discusses the five psychological stages the terminally ill go through ... denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

These 'five stages of grieving' can also be applied to other life-changing experiences of pain or loss -- traumatic events like divorce, illness, loss of limb or more specifically the impairment of a sense such as hearing.

Any degree of hearing loss will have a negative impact on a person's life. It will affect his ability not only to communicate with loved ones, but to hear some of his favourite sounds, from music, to children laughing, to birds singing. His professional, family and social life will all be disrupted, leaving him feeling frustrated and at times isolated. Coping with this loss is not an overnight process. Before he can come to terms with his condition and seek out assistance, he will undergo all of the five stages of grieving.

The first stage in this process of grieving is denial. In "On Death and Dying", Kubler-Ross states, "Denial functions as a buffer after unexpected shocking news, allows the patient to collect himself and, with time, mobilize other, less radical defences ... Denial is usually a partial defence and will soon be replaced with partial acceptance." Recognizing that there is something wrong, is perhaps the hardest part, especially if the hearing loss is gradual. Perhaps this is because even people with "normal" hearing have difficulty hearing in some situations ... at a public gathering, in a crowd, or in a noisy restaurant. Often a friend or a family member will notice a problem even before the individual concerned. But, when confronted, they will remain adamant, "My hearing is fine. Just speak up a little."

When denial can no longer be maintained, it is often replaced with feelings of anger, rage, envy, and resentment. Individuals may begin to lash out at everyone and everything in their frustration. This second stage is generally not focused on just one person, but at everyone. They may be angry at the audiologist who tested their hearing. "Your equipment is faulty. I need a second opinion." They may even go through a period where they resent those who have no trouble hearing. Keep in mind, if you are a family member or friend of someone going through this stage, this anger may feel like it's being directed at you. Don't take it personally. This is a process your loved one must go through to accept his condition.

Kubler-Ross argues that the third stage of bargaining, "...is really an attempt to postpone..." For a hearing impaired person, this may translate to postponing getting their hearing tested, or purchasing hearing aids. They may use excuses like "My hearing isn't that bad. People always mumble. If they would only speak clearer, I would be able to understand. Alright, if it gets any worse, then I'll go."

Kubler-Ross also outlines the fourth stage of grieving in her book. She suggests, "when the...patient can no longer deny his illness, when he is forced to undergo more surgery or hospitalization, when he begins to have more symptoms ... he cannot smile it off anymore. His numbness or stoicism, his anger and rage will soon be replaced with a sense of great loss ..." Once again, this can apply to the hearing impaired. When all excuses have been exhausted, he can no longer deny that he is having difficulty hearing. Like the terminally ill patient, he too will sink into depression. He has lost hope and grieves for everything that has changed and for the hearing sensations he will no longer be able to fully experience. People with hearing loss who have a close family life, find it emotionally painful to deal with their loss. They get tired of saying, "Huh? What? Pardon me?" They recognize this is disruptive to conversation and they slowly begin to withdraw or distance themselves from their families.

Given time, a person will eventually come to terms with their hearing loss and reach the final stage of acceptance. As Kubler-Ross denotes "If a patient has had enough time ... and has been given some help in working through the previously described stages, he will reach a stage during which he is neither depressed nor angry about his "fate." He will have been able to express his previous feelings, his envy ... [and] his anger ... He will have mourned the impending loss ..." Only when he has reached this point will he be ready to ask "What can I do to hear better? Is there a hearing device that will help me?"

The transition between each of these stages is not abrupt. A person will move gradually from denial to anger, anger to bargaining, bargaining to depression and depression to acceptance. For example, as he begins to realize he can no longer deny his condition, he becomes angrier and more resentful. Eventually this anger dissipates and is replaced with excuses or reasons why the hearing loss is not permanent. As these excuses run out, depression sets in. The duration each of these stages will last varies with each individual.

Daniel Allen gave an interesting example of this, "The time between when a person leaves my office and when they return varies. Sometimes it may be as long as two years before they are ready to accept their situations. Sometimes they go through this process quickly ... you never know. The important thing is that they come back when THEY are ready. I had a case recently where I gave a gentleman a hearing test and after talking to him, thought to myself "there is no way that this person is ready to be fitted for a hearing aid right now." He left the office, but to my amazement he returned two days later."

Only when the patient recognizes that unlike in death, something can be done to improve his quality of life, will he be ready to seek out help. The most important thing to realize is that before a hard-of-hearing person is ready to 'get help', he must go through the grieving process and come to terms with his condition.

Link :- hearingcenteronline.com/ newsletter/may00f.shtml

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Hearing Planet blog provides hearing aids doctor and hearing devices through a national network of hearing aid clinics with multiple brands,such as Phonak hearing aids, ReSound hearing aids, Siemens hearing aids, Unitron hearing aids, Sonic hearing aids Innovations and others and independent advice to ensure the right hearing aid for you.

Digital Hearing Aid

2009-09-23T02:05:00.001-07:00

Digital Hearing Aid

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reBlog from Hearing Aids: Hearing Aids Doctor

2009-09-16T19:37:00.001-07:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

To get rid from different hearing loss problem one can use different hearing aids, which depend upon type of hearing loss. Different hearing devices can be different in structure but they perform same function.Hearing Aids, Hearing Aids Doctor, Sep 2009

You should read the whole article.

Types Of Hearing Problems - Hearing aids Doctor

2009-07-31T23:28:00.000-07:00

Usually it is noticed that when a person feels problem in his ear then at the first he feels pain in inner part of his ear. It depends upon the type of hearing problem, which a user face, so in this situation one should consult audiologist for curing of hearing pain. Because a patient cannot diagnose his problem fully as compared to a specialist one otherwise ignoring such problem may cause serious position of the patient. Moreover if there is a hearing difficulties there is likelihood of recommendation of hearing aid devices by the doctor.

Types Of Hearing Problems

There are different types of hearing difficulties depending upon the different situation, these problems are mentioned one by one:

Conductive Hearing

It is characterized by time being hearing loss and pain in outer or middle of the year. Person also undergoes mild hearing loss and he might be having some loss of sight.

Sensory Hearing Loss
Sensory hearing loss is occurred due to malfunctioning of cochlea in the ear. In this case special tiny hear cells become damaged and it effects on hearing capability of person very badly as compared to conductive hearing difficulties. The person with this problem cannot distinguish among the sounds around himself.

Neural Type Of Hearing Problem:

Neural type of hearing difficulties is occurred because of problem in connection of cochlea to brain. Since it is also regarded as nerve problem as it is only the nerve which takes important sensory information from cochlea to brain so in neural type of hearing difficulties nerve is mostly effected. Sometimes this problem also occurs due to hereditary traits, which comes into light along the growth of a person.

There are also other hearing loses due to different reasons but these are very temporarily. For example when a person is habitual of listening high-pitched voices then after sometime it is observed that it becomes very difficult for him to listen comparatively lower voices.

Working Of Hearing Aid:

To get rid from different hearing loss problem one can use different hearing aids, which depend upon type of hearing loss. Different hearing devices can be different in structure but they perform same function.

Structure Of Hearing Aid

Mostly hearing devices are composed of microphone amplifier speaker and battery. Each part performs its own role for getting best quality performance. These devices are very much sensitive and only ones careless attitude can lead to loss.

Hearing Aids Doctor Advice - Basic Components and Functions of Hearing Aids

2009-07-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

The basic components of a contemporary hearing aid include a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver, and a power supply.

A microphone is a transducer that converts the sound signal into electrical energy. The amplifier is a transformer that increases the amplitude of the electrical signal that is sent to the receiver. The receiver then changes the modified electrical signal back into sound energy that is directed into the ear.

A variety of microphones, amplifiers, and receivers are used, depending on the type and degree of hearing loss. The American National Standard Specification of Hearing Aid Characteristics specifies the electroacoustic tests that a manufacturer must perform and publish for each hearing aid before the instrument is shipped.1 The standard states the tolerance allowed so that the audiologist can perform the same tests to verify the performance of an instrument against specifications.

Currently used hearing aid microphones are primarily electrical devices that have good linear behavior over a frequency range of 50-6000 Hz. This range can be modified to be more appropriate for specific hearing losses.

Directional microphones have been developed that can vary with both the amplitude and the direction of the sound source relative to the microphone. They can reduce the sounds coming from the back of a hearing aid wearer compared with the sounds coming from the front by as much as 15 dB. This change can greatly improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the listener and thus the understanding of speech in the presence of noise.

Hearing aid amplifiers are transformers primarily composed of transistors that are built into an integrated circuit. These transistors provide a current source and serve a variety of functions. In these transistors, the primary function of the amplifier is to increase the power of the electrical signal received from the microphone.

Typically, hearing aids have 2 or more stages of amplification. The first stage is the preamplifier, which is at the level of the microphone. The preamplifier helps to amplify the initial input signal. At this level, the gain is relatively low.

Most amplification is supplied by the power amplifier. These amplifiers are typed in a particular class. The most common are referred to as class A, class B, and class D. They are distinguished by their power consumption, gain, and output abilities.

Each amplifier can be modified to limit the maximum output of the hearing aid. For linear amplification, the amplifier may be limited by peak clipping. This occurs when the electrical signal exceeds the maximum output of some component of the hearing aid circuit. This type of limiting causes various forms of distortion that have been found to reduce the intelligibility and the subjective quality of speech.

A hearing aid that has some type of level-dependent signal processing is termed a nonlinear hearing aid. Most nonlinear hearing aids reduce gain as input or output levels increase.

Nonlinear hearing aids are designed to amplify a wide range of sounds so that they are audible to the hearing-impaired listener without becoming uncomfortably loud. These aids usually use some form of compression circuit that reduces the gain of the instrument when either the input to the device or the output of the device exceeds a predetermined level. This process results in a comfortable amplification for the wearer and prevents the hearing aid from saturating.

Compression hearing aids can provide amplification of the speech components that are essential for intelligibility and can reduce impulsive or high-level sounds that normally cause discomfort.

The hearing aid receiver is an output transducer and handles more power than a microphone. Receivers in hearing aids are very small because of cosmetic considerations.

In general, larger receivers can supply larger output signals. Therefore, the small receivers on hearing aids may be taxed to their output capabilities.

The receiver must also be chosen to match its amplifier. A mismatch in design produces limited output and increases distortion.

Because of the receiver's open position in the external ear canal, it is vulnerable to damage from debris in the ear canal and from the aid being dropped. Manufacturers state that approximately 40% of hearing aids returned for service have damage or blockage to the receiver.

Hearing aids doctor - Which Hearing Aid Batteries Are Right For You

2009-07-18T01:59:00.000-07:00

Which battery do I need?

Hearing aid batteries have been standardised across the board now, and as such are fairly easy to identify. There are four sizes available, size 10, size 312, size 13 and size 675.

They are colour coded for ease of recognition. Size 10 batteries are coded with yellow labels and packaging, size 312 are coded brown, size 13 are orange and size 675 are blue.

Most of the smaller hearing devices from Phonak, Resound or Oticon will use a size 312 (brown) or a size 10 (yellow) battery. Some of the larger digital hearing instruments will use the size 13, and a few power aids such as the Oticon Sumo or the Phonak Naida will use the size 675.

As a rule, the larger the battery, the more life you will get from it and the longer you will be able to listen to your hearing instruments without needing to change the battery. Newer hearing devices, do generally tend to be smaller which is clearly desireable from a cosmetics perspective. These smaller hearing instruments tend to use 10 or 312 batteries. Try to find a quality battery brand such as Rayovac, whihc are specifically designed and manufactured for hearing aid wearers. These will most likely provide better performance with your hearing devices than other brands. You may find that some brands of hearing aid batteries will provide a recycling facility where you can send them back and these can be reused.

Hearing Aids doctor Advice - Didn't Hear You, Can You Repeat That

2009-07-14T01:38:00.000-07:00

It doesn’t matter how you say it, they all mean the same thing: you didn’t hear what was just said.

I’ve been thinking recently about how often I don’t hear what someone has said and how often I ask them to repeat themselves. In some situations I will ask repeatedly, no matter how many time it takes, until I hear. In others, I will only ask once or twice. And, in others, I will not ask at all.

With family and close friends I am happy to ask repeatedly; most, if not all, of them know I am partially deaf and they are usually happy to repeat themselves until the cows come home. Sometimes, and I guess it depends on their mood, they don’t want to repeat themselves - this annoys me quite a bit, if what they just said is not worth repeating why was it worth saying in the first place?

The people I really struggle with are the quietly and soft spoken ones. Some people just refuse to speak up and it will not matter how many times I ask them to repeat it, I will never hear them properly! I find myself avoiding speaking to people who I know speak really quietly, just to avoid the hassle - I wish I didn’t do this because I’m sure it looks rude to them and I’m no doubt missing out on some good conversation. The obvious answer here is to tell them that I have trouble hearing what they say; I really don’t feel comfortable doing that and I can’t remember a time when I ever have done. I really should make the effort to start in future.

In the opening paragraph I said that in some cases I will never ask the person to repeat themselves. I used to do this a lot - I used to be too embarrassed about my hearing loss, I tried to hide it as much as possible - I would either try and guess what they said based on the odd word I’d heard or the context of the conversation or simply nod, laugh or give a short answer like “yes” or “no”. I realised some years ago that this was a stupid thing to do, I cringe at the amount of times I must have given stupid and meaningless answers. I’m sure a lot of people do this exact thing all the time, it’s an easy way out.

It’s rarely uncomfortable to ask someone to repeat themselves in a one-to-one conversation; a group conversation can, on the other hand, be very difficult. It is a good idea to position yourself somewhere where you will have the best chance of hearing; this is something you can do when you know that one person in the group is going to be doing most of the talking: the teacher at school/college, someone giving a presentation to a group, and so on. It’s not so easy when you don’t have a single person to concentrate on: when you are chatting with friends or in an office meeting, it is particularly difficult if there is also background noise such as background chatter or office air-conditioning. It is too easy to loose the conversation when you are having to listen for voices coming from all directions.