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If you are facing 2 or more of these situations, it would be best to undergo an audiological evaluation.
Firstly, a hearing test called 'Audiometry' will help determine the degree and type of hearing loss pattern. Once this has been established, depending on your listening needs – a hearing aid will be selected. Different manufactures have their own strengths and weaknesses, your audiologist will possess the knowledge to help you select the most appropriate device.
Hearing aids have different technology levels, basic devices have fewer features and will be optimal for those who spend time in quite surroundings with greater number of one on one interactions. Advanced instruments can handle difficult listening situations better with noise reduction circuits. Premium instruments that are wireless can be connected to phones, televisions etc and can deliver output directly to the ear leading to better understanding of what is spoken.
A hearing test will help to determine the need to use a hearing aid or another form of treatment. If the hearing loss is arising from the inner ear, a hearing aid will be able to make sounds louder to improve speech clarity and help you understand what is spoken.
Hearing loss in both ears will require the use of hearing aids to both ears.
Hearing aid in one ear will help to hear from the side the device is worn on. A single device does not have the ability to help hearing for both ears.
The working of a hearing is simple, and has mainly 3 steps
The sound is initially picked up from the surrounding by a microphone, which converts the sound to electrical signals. These signals are amplified and analyzed (made louder, as per requirement) and sent to a receiver, which again converts the electrical signal to sounds your ear can hear. Most hearing aids are digital, and all are powered with a hearing aid battery.
The ear has three parts – the type of loss depends on which part of the ear is affected.
The outer and middle parts (ear canal, ear drum and tiny bones called Ossicles) make up the conductive component. Sound first has to pass through the outer portion of the ear, after which it is accepted as vibrations by the ear drum and Ossicles. When this system is affected in any way, such as by wax build-up or a hole in the ear drum, effectiveness of the system to take incoming sounds to the inner part of the ear reduces. Sounds will have to be louder, to be heard and understood.
'Sensori' – Means the sensory cells in the inner part of the ear called the cochlea are affected, and 'Neural' means the nerves that lead up to the brain cannot carry sounds effectively. Therefore, a sensorineural hearing loss affects not only the level of speech, but also the clarity.
Hearing loss arising due to a problem in the outer and/or middle ear plus the inner ear is known to be mixed in nature.
Longevity of a device depends mainly on day-to-day care and maintenance. Use of provided accessories such a de-humidifier box can prolong the life of a device.
Hearing levels will remain constant or stabilize. Progression of hearing ability or decline may occur due to other factors such as aging, medications that are toxic to the ears or other health related issues.
The cost of hearing devices varies and is available for all budgets. Purchasing hearing devices is not just a one-time transaction; it involves a relationship between you and your audiologist. Audiologists know that the most important consideration in hearing device selection is not the hearing itself; rather, it is the skill and knowledge of the professional dispensing the hearing device. The audiologist's responsibility is to ensure that a suitable device is selected based on your hearing loss, communication needs, personal preferences and lifestyle as well as to provide an understandable explanation of its benefits and limitations. The audiologists at Srinivas Speciality are committed to your aural rehabilitation because they know that it is the most essential part of hearing healthcare. Ecommerce web-sites and discount centers may sell hearing aids at lower prices because they are often placed on the user with minimal or no instructions and/or adjustments. Sales people with minimal technical training often staff these discount centers. It is important to do your research.
The reality is "communication is one of the most important skills" humans have. So if wearing hearing devices allows you to resume activities you enjoy, improve relationships with family and friends, and retain your independence, the cost becomes more justifiable.
Generally, hearing devices typically last about five years. The need for new hearing devices may occur if a patient's hearing status changes, however, with the flexibility of the new digital technology for adjustments, purchasing new devices can typically be prolonged.
At present, hearing aids are recommended if the level of technology a person is using does not meet their listening needs, and not because the hearing aids have stopped to function.
Learning to listen with hearing devices takes time and patience. You may need to learn to filter out unwanted sounds, just as you used to do with normal hearing. Your listening skills should improve as you become accustomed to amplification. It's also important to be realistic and not to expect 100-percent hearing in every situation. Besides helping you to hear and understand voices better, properly adjusted hearing devices will allow you to hear sounds that previously may not have been audible. The sound of wrinkling newspaper or water running may be annoying at first, however, after about 2-3 weeks, you will notice an adjustment to these sounds. Gradually increasing the amount of time you wear the hearing aids and following the schedule provided by your audiologist will result in an easier transition to amplified sound. During the initial adjustment period, you may be asked to visit your audiologist several times to monitor progress and adjust the controls of your hearing devices, if needed. These follow-up visits are crucial to your success with amplification.
Hearing evaluations are recommended annually just like eye exams. Hearing evaluations are especially recommended if there is a family history of hearing loss, history of noise exposure or if you are noticing any changes in your hearing. A baseline hearing evaluation is recommended at any age.
There can be a variety of reasons why hearing instruments are not effective or used. Sometimes the hearing instruments are not appropriate for the individual's hearing needs. The style, circuitry, or options may not be the optimal choice for this person. The hearing instruments may not be programmed correctly. Occasionally, the cosmetic appeal of the hearing instruments takes precedence over its function of improving hearing. The expectations of the hearing instrument wearer also needs to be realistic. Hearing instruments will not restore normal hearing, but they can greatly improve the ability to hear and communicate in a variety of situations. The choice of the best hearing instruments depends on many factors and can often be confusing. Our audiologists are experts in choosing the most appropriate hearing assistance and providing support and counseling throughout the adjustment period.
No hearing aid can completely eliminate background noise, but they can lessen the effects of non-speech noise. Srinivas Speciality can help you determine which hearing aid is the best fit for your listening needs.
Selection of hearing aid size depends upon your personal preference, your ear canal size, and your hearing loss. The smallest size of a hearing aid is a Completely In the Canal (CIC) and fits deep into your ear canal. It’s removed by pulling a small, nearly invisible cord. The next size is an In The Canal (ITC) hearing aid, which fits into your ear canal and is usually only visible from the side. An In The Ear (ITE) hearing aid fills your entire ear and a Behind The Ear (BTE) lies on top of your ear and goes behind it. The newest style is called a Receiver in the ear hearing aid or thin tube and is very popular with patients.
There is ample research to support that people with hearing loss are more successful with hearing aids when two hearing aids are worn versus just one, as well as demonstrating some major disadvantages when only one hearing aid is worn. Just as our brain is wired to receive visual input through two eyes to enhance our vision, same is true for our hearing. Our brain processes sound from both ears to allow an enhanced listening experience and when the brain only receives input from one ear, enhanced hearing abilities are lost.
People often think getting used to hearing aids will be easier if you wear only one hearing aid. As you can see it will actually be more difficult and your hearing will not improve as much as it would with two hearing aids.
It can take several weeks to completely adjust to your new hearing aids. Hearing tends to deteriorate gradually over time, so when sounds are reintroduced to the brain quickly, it can be a bit disorienting at first. This adjustment period is essential to get the maximum benefit from your hearing aids, but remember that you’ll be enjoying more of the sounds you love very soon.
Srinivas Speciality offers up to two years worth of free service, adjustments and cleaning.
Hearing aid prices vary depending upon the model and style, but also upon the degree of your hearing loss and any special options or services you may choose to personalize your instrument. Srinivas Speciality offers an easy payment plans that include zero-interest options and EMIs'.
In most cases, insurance doesn’t cover hearing aids.
Batteries cost about 35 INR per piece; they come in packets of 6.
It depends on the size of the batteries. Hearing aid batteries last approximately 5-6 days when the hearing aid is used full-time (morning to night, on a daily basis). If your batteries are lasting fewer number of days as compared to when you first started to use them, let us know. Your hearing aid may need to be repaired.