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| Hearing Instruments / Aids |
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Types:
- Conventional Technology:
This hearing aid amplifies all sounds within the speech range. Programming changes can be made by a screwdriver to adjust the volume, high frequencies, and low frequencies. Although this technology is very limited in programming options, it is very appropriate for some losses.
- Digital Technology:
This hearing aid processes sound similar to the digital processing found in computers, compact disc players, and cellular phones. They measure and adjust sound by analyzing it many times per second which improves sound quality. Programming changes are made through a connection to a computer. There are three levels of digital technology:
- Low end digital - provides good sound quality in typical situations; soft sounds are audible and loud sounds are not uncomfortable.
- Mid level digital - excellent performance in noise with fixed directional microphone (reduces noises behind you); excellent listening comfort in noise; excellent sound quality in most situations; excellent audibility of soft speech sounds.
- High end digital - exceptional performance in noise with adaptive directionality to track noise and reduce its volume; exceptional listening in noise; exceptional sound quality almost anywhere; exceptional audibility of the softest sounds.
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| Hearing aid styles and sizes |
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- Behind-the-ear hearing aid - This hearing aid is placed over the ear. The hearing aid is attached to an earmold which transmits sound into the ear canal.
- Full shell hearing aid - This hearing aid fills the entire bowl of the ear and into part of the ear canal.
- Half shell hearing aid - This hearing aid fills one-half of the bowl of the ear and into a portion of the ear canal. It is a size between the full shell aid and the canal aid.
- Canal hearing aid - This hearing aid fits into the canal portion of the ear.
- Completely-in-the-canal hearing aid - This is the smallest type of hearing aid available. It fits deeply into the ear canal.
Choosing the right hearing instrument depends on several factors. Physical factors include the degree of your hearing loss, the anatomy of your ear and the need for one or two instruments. Personal factors include the communicational needs that you would like to improve, manual dexterity and how large you need it, cosmetic concerns, price of the instrument, and sound quality. Your audiologist will work with you to ensure that the best decision is made to suit your needs. |
| Realistic Hearing Aid Expectations |
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- Hearing ability in quiet should improve
- Hearing aid performance in noise should be better than unaided performance in the same situation.
- Soft sounds should be audible; conversational speech comfortable; loud speech not uncomfortable.
- Your own voice should be acceptable, but will probably not sound like you remember it.
- Earmold and/or hearing aids should be comfortable in your ear.
- Time is needed for you to adjust to hearing aids. Follow-up may be necessary in order for you to become comfortable with the aids.
Remember:
- It takes time to become adjusted to hearing aids.
- Some sounds may appear strange at first, including personal voice, paper rattling, and footsteps.
- Hearing aids do not restore "normal" hearing sensitivity.
- You may still have trouble hearing in some noisy situations.
- You may have to modify your environment and use good communication strategies (i.e. facing the speaker, watching for facial speech cues, etc.) for better hearing.
- Your audiologist has the same goal you do. We want to help you find the best possible hearing aid to improve your hearing as much as possible.
Having an open mind and a willingness to adjust to your new listening situations are essential for a good experience with your hearing aids. |
| Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) |
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An ALD is a device that helps in difficult listening situations. ALDs can be used with or without hearing aids to overcome background noise and distance between a speaker and a listener. If you are having trouble understanding the television or while talking on the telephone, an ALD may be the best solution for you. Examples of ALDs include:
- Personal FM systems:
FMs consist of a transmitter microphone used by the speaker and a receiver used by the person listening. Classrooms, lecture halls, restaurants, or meetings at work are situations where an FM system can be helpful.
- TV infrared systems:
Sound is transmitted by infrared light waves. The transmitter transmits the TV signal to a receiver worn as a headset. The TV volume stays at a comfortable level for family members, while the volume stays at a comfortable level for family members, while the volume can be adjusted through the headset for the listener.
- One-on-one communicators:
A microphone is held by the speaker and the sound is amplified and delivered directly into the headset worn by the listener. The volume on the receiver can be adjusted by the listener. There are many more ALDs such as amplifiers for telephones, cell phones, answering machines, alarm clocks, etc. If you or someone you know can benefit from an ALD, please contact an audiologist for additional information. |
| Alerting Devices |
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| Alerting devices signal when a sound occurs. Examples include door bells, fire/smoke alarms, vibrating alarm clocks, phone alerting devices, etc.
Visual systems such as strobe lights signaling smoke alarm, door bell, or closed captioning TV are also available for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
If you are someone you know can benefit from an alerting device, please contact an audiologist for additional information. | |
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