Anyone diagnosed with hearing loss can benefit from tiny electronic devices called hearing aids. These can amplify sound for better communication, regardless of ambient noise. Less than a quarter of all who really need them currently use them.
The device comes with a microphone that converts sound waves into electrical signals, which are then amplified into a speaker and sent to the ear. However, if you hair cells are so severely damaged that no amount of amplification can help, hearing aids may prove ineffective.
Hearing aids are available in three basic formats: Behind-the-ear, in-the-ear and canal aids. They have different ranges of application from mild to moderate hearing loss, and for different age groups.
Electronically speaking, these devices can be either analog or digital, based on whether they convert sound waves into electrical signals or binary numerical codes. Analog aids can be programmed to your changing needs, from a quiet place to a crowded shopping mall.
What to Look for
The best way to determine what to choose might be to listen to your audiologist first: If you are diagnosed with loss in both the ears, you will be better off having two hearing aids. Though analog aids are less expensive than digital aids, price alone cannot be the criterion. Ease of usage, convenience, quality of the amplification, need for upgrades or maintenance and technical assistance should dictate the choice.
Newer technologies involving implantable hearing aids strengthen sound vibrations entering the inner ear. A middle ear implant (MEI) is attached to one of the bones of the middle ear. There are also surgical options available: A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) transmits sound directly to the inner ear through the skull, bypassing the middle ear. Ask your audiologist if the benefits of newer technologies outweigh the higher costs or risks entailed.
Common Pitfalls
There may be a risk of minor stress or trauma to the ear canal when an audiologist engages in an invasive procedure while taking an impression of the external ear canal and ear. And so, choose only reputed audiologists to air your hearing troubles.
If you are someone with prior abnormalities in ear anatomy, including tympanic membrane perforations, retraction pockets, and mastoidectomy cavities, better consult an otorhinolaryngologist (or Ear Nose &Throat specialist) as well.
If you are a new hearing aid user, your voice may sound louder inside the head (occlusion effect).
There could be problems with the radio frequency interference caused by digital cell phones or your aid might not filter out the background noise. Do not hesitate to talk to your audiologist.
If you are a candidate for cochlear implant, you should understand what pitfalls lay ahead: Problems can arise due to minor facial nerve stimulation during the programming of the device, bursting of the sutures, problems in the insertion of the electrodes in the scala tympani or technical problems with the device itself.
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