Find the Right Hearing Aid for you and your Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can take a while to reach a level that begins to impair the quality of life making it difficult to hear ordinary conversation or listen to the television. As soon as any loss of hearing is detected it should not be ignored as it can never be replaced and there are other implications to consider. Personal safety can be put at risk when driving or crossing roads but hearing loss can also cause a feeling of isolation leading to depression. Confiding in someone can help come to terms with hearing loss and more importantly to take the first step in seeking assistance from a reputable audiologist.
Choosing Hearing Aids
There are many sophisticated hearing aids available that are discreet and comfortable to wear. The benefits they bring in terms of increased clarity of sound far outweigh any initial embarrassment some wearers experience when first using them. Wearers can now choose from a wide range of styles and colours that can be customised to fit ears perfectly. There is also an extensive choice of designs that offer high performance qualities such as dual microphones and wireless capabilities. Some models have recently been introduced that incorporate MP3 players and Bluetooth that are proving popular with the younger age groups.
Different Styles
Hearing aids are generally behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE) or invisible (IIC). Behind the ear models are streamlined and discreet and offer a powerful performance particularly for those with a more severe loss of hearing. Wireless options are available. BTE styles are also more suitable for people with perforated ear drums or who experience irritation in the skin of the outer ear. In the ear designs fill the outer ear cavity. They are customised for a comfortable fit and usually incorporate advanced features such as wireless and dual microphone capabilities for an increased performance. They are easy to handle even for people with limited movement in their fingers. Invisible styles fit inside the ear canal and are often referred to as completely in canal (ICC). They are virtually undetectable when being worn. They offer an increased performance when using the telephone but are too small to incorporate wireless functions. A mini in ear (MIC) version is just slightly larger and can include wireless for superior performance. Invisible styles give the wearer confidence but are not suitable for all types of ear shapes as they don’t always stay in place.
Choosing Correctly
An audiologist will determine the level of hearing loss which is usually described as mild, moderate or severe. Every individual case has a different requirement to the next and needs particular attention to ensure a suitable hearing aid is chosen that will provide the most benefits. The differences between the various styles will be fully explained by an audiologist. With help from Hear4U anyone with any degree of hearing loss will be confident of choosing the most suitable model.