By Steve Hart, Au.D., Hart Hearing Center
Start with a Hearing Test
First, any person who suspects hearing loss needs a diagnostic audiological evaluation. Your audiologist will test you and determine the nature, type and degree of loss. There are several types of hearing loss, including:
- conductive, which refers to a mechanical problem with the transmission of sound through the auditory system, and is sometimes medically treatable.
- sensorineural, which often involves damage to the inner ear. This is the most common type of hearing loss and is rarely able to be treated medically. Sensorineural hearing loss is managed with amplification, that is, with hearing aids or other devices designed to enhance the auditory signal.
Hearing loss can occur in one or both ears, may range from mild to severe and may be caused by a variety of conditions, such as:
- noise exposure
- heredity
- the normal aging process
- ototoxic medications
- infections and other diseases
Your audiologist will determine which type of loss you have and make appropriate recommendations. If the loss requires medical consultation, the audiologist will refer you to an appropriate doctor.
They will also send your primary physician a report and a copy of the evaluation.
More About Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss often occurs gradually over time and may affect both ears. Most often the higher frequency (i.e., “higher pitched”) tones are affected. Because consonant sounds are higher pitched and carry most of the meaning of speech, those with sensorineural loss will often report that they can hear speech but not understand it very well. The absence of consonant sounds makes it difficult to differentiate between words such as “cat”, “bat”, and “rat”. This loss can truly sound as though people are mumbling, and people with this type of loss may have no idea how much they are missing. Eventually the loss may become more and more obvious. Individuals may become fatigued, stressed and distracted from straining to understand at home or at work. People with untreated hearing loss may withdraw socially, simply because too much effort is required to try to follow conversation.
Treating hearing loss early can alleviate these negative situations and maintain social and occupational status.
That’s where hearing aids come into the picture.
Five Steps To Finding the Best Hearing Aids
Today’s hearing aids are the best they’ve ever been. The technology is very advanced, they are comfortable to wear and they work well in many different situations. There are many happy people who truly love their hearing aids. If you are interested in becoming one of these happy hearing aid users, there are a number of things to remember.
- Buy the best hearing aids you can afford. There is a difference in the technology at various price levels – the best of the best have extremely fast processors with multiple noise reduction schemes and voice finding features that allow the user to hear and understand speech well, whether in an office, a grocery store, or a noisy restaurant. These features function automatically, without the user having to adjust the instruments themselves. Developing this technology takes a lot of time and money, but the results are often worth it.
- Keep in mind that the best hearing aids are made by companies you may not be aware of. The most reputable companies spend their money on the research and development mentioned above rather than on constant, expensive national advertising.
- Expect the best, but do not expect new ears. Hearing aids are great, but they cannot duplicate the incredible sophistication of the human auditory system. You can expect to hear much better than without them, but not the same as when you were eighteen (nothing much works like it did then). In addition, keep in mind that there will be an adjustment period. Your ears hear sound, but your brain processes the sound, and we all know that the brain is a creature of habit. Be prepared to spend some time learning to listen again.
- If you have two aidable ears, buy two hearing aids. No exceptions. If you want to make sound clearer instead of just louder, you need two. Ask any professional and the answer will be the same: Research indicates that the human auditory system generally functions optimally with a binaural signal.
- Make sure that you are comfortable with the professional you are dealing with. See an audiologist. Verify their credentials and make sure that they are interested in finding what works for you. You will interact frequently with your audiologist, so go to someone you trust.
In addition, look for a minimum two-year warranty on the hearing aids you purchase. A 45-day trial period for hearing aids is required in NYS, and can sometimes be extended if additional time is needed to make a decision. The idea is to find a practitioner who wants you to benefit from hearing aids, rather than someone who just wants to sell them to you.
Types of Hearing Aids
Digital circuitry is the industry standard now, and there are many options which offer favorable results which can fit within any budget. Along with different levels of technology, hearing aids are available in several styles.
- behind-the-ear hearing aids
- in-the-ear hearing aids
- completely-in-the canal hearing aids
- receiver-in-the-ear or “open fit” hearing aids
Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids, also called open-fit hearing aids, are the newest category of styles. They have an impressive number of advantages over more traditional aids. They sound better, amplify more naturally and are vastly more comfortable.
The best style hearing aid depends on your hearing loss, lifestyle and other factors. This decision is one you and your audiologist can best make together as a team.