MarijaAndreevnamm (2024)

28/08/2022

Hearing: Do I Need Hearing Aids?

Signs that you may be experiencing hearing loss may be if you often think others are mumbling, or have trouble understanding conversations in a group. Hearing aids can help amplify and separate out sounds.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
You may notice a number of early warning signs and changes in your behavior that may be related to hearing loss. You may begin to:
• Complain that people are mumbling or speaking too softly
• Frequently ask people to repeat what they have said –especially in noisy situations
• Prefer the television or radio louder than other people
• Have difficulty understanding on the telephone
• Not understand all the dialogue at the movies or during live theater productions
• Have difficulty understanding at your house of worship or other public gatherings
• Find yourself more impatient, irritable, frustrated or withdrawn than before
• Have trouble understanding people when you cannot see their faces
• Strain to hear conversations, especially when in a group setting
Why can I hear people but not understand them?
A common type of hearing loss is one in which people have normal or nearly normal hearing in the low-and mid-pitched sounds, such as vowels, but have hearing loss in the range we hear high-pitched sounds, such as consonants.
Vowels such as “o, ooh, ah, a, e” have most of their energy in the lower pitches or frequencies and are easy to hear. The higher pitch consonant sounds such as “s, sh, f, th” and tend to be softer and harder to hear. Yet, it is the high pitched consonant sounds that are most critical for speech clarity and understanding.
In normal conversation, speech might sound loud enough but lacks clarity so your ability to understand what is said is compromised. This problem is more noticeable when you are listening in background noise or when there is greater distance between you and the talker.
What can I expect from my hearing aids?
Unlike eyeglasses, hearing aids do not correct your hearing back to normal. Instead, hearing aids function to amplify sounds in a particular range of pitches – the range where the hearing loss exists. Included in those sounds can be speech or environment sounds such as bells ringing, birds singing, conversations from nearby tables at a restaurant or busy traffic noise.
While the hearing aid technology today is excellent, the devices are still an “aid” and cannot separate the desired speech signal from the background noise as well as our brain and two normal functioning ears can. Therefore, it is important to employ communication strategies when using hearing aids in difficult listening environments.
Do I need one or two hearing aids?
If hearing loss exists in both ears, there is greater benefit in using a device in each ear – similar to wearing eyeglasses with two lenses. There are always exceptions to the general rule and that will be discussed with your audiologist. Benefits from hearing aids in each ear include:
• Improved ability to understand speech in background noise
• Less amplification in each hearing aid reducing the possibility of feedback (hearing aid whistling)
• Less auditory effort so you are less fatigued a

27/08/2022

Helping you select the right hearing aid for you

With so many different types of hearing aids available, knowing which one is right for you can be difficult. Whether you already have a hearing aid or are simply considering your options, at Boots Hearingcare we make it simple for you to reach a decision. We explain how hearing aids work, what to look for when choosing the right type for you, and the pros and cons of the various styles available.
◦ Features to look out for

Rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable devices have built-in power units that do not require regular removal.
Telecoil technology
Useful during phone calls – it transfers the speech signals from your phone directly to your ear!

Bluetooth compatibility
Bluetooth hearing aids have greatly enhanced the overall user experience and enable hearing aids to function as highly personalised devices.
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What types of hearing aids are available?

Unlike older, bulkier technologies, the hearing aids you can buy today are much more advanced and are designed to be more discreet and powerful. A perfect choice given the recent demand for smaller devices. There are two main types of hearing aids available:
• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid styles
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids and Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid
Best for:
Mild to moderate hearing loss
Both CIC and IIC hearing aids are small and discreet. Invisible-in-canal aids fit deeper into your ear canal while completely-in-the-canal aids fit entirely within the ear canal, making them the perfect option for those who don’t want to draw attention to their hearing loss or may be feeling self-conscious about wearing hearing aids.
Pros:
• They are discreet, making them aesthetically appealing.
• As they fit directly within the ear, you can use headsets and telephones without removing them.
• They provide great sound quality and feel less bulky and more natural in your ear.
Cons:
• Due to their small size, they are often harder to remove and adjust, meaning those with dexterity issues might struggle with them
• Their size means they have a reduced processing capacity, so they're not the best option for severe or profound hearing loss
• They often have reduced battery performance
• If you have narrow ear canals you might not be able to wear IIC hearing aids as your ear canals have to be big enough to fit them
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids
Best for:
Mild to moderate hearing loss

Slightly larger than IIC and CIC hearing aids but still small and discreet, ITC aids sit comfortably in your ear canal and are often custom-made and moulded to the shape of your specific ear for the perfect fit. They are designed to fit the lower third of your external ear canal.
Pros:
• They are discreet and less visible than larger styles.
• They are normally custom made for the ultimate comfort.
• Usually available with a wider range of features.
• As they are slightly larger, they are much easier to handle, making them ideal for people who struggle to operate smaller hearing aids.
Cons:
• In-the-canal hearing aids are sometimes not suitable for more severe hearing loss, as they may not be powerful enough.
• They are normally custom made for the ultimate comfort.
• As they are still relatively small, they may be difficult to remove and keep clean if you struggle with dexterity.
Behind-the-ear (BTW) hearing aid styles
Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) and Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids
Best for:
All levels of hearing loss.

Both RIC and RITE hearing aids are designed to feature behind-the-ear components that connect to a receiver sitting within the ear or ear canal, and use a tiny wire to transmit sound.
Pros:
• These devices usually come with rechargeable batteries, making them a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution.
• The tip of RIC and RITE hearing aids sits within the ear canal without fully sealing it, making it feel more natural for the wearer.
• You have the option to change the levels of the receiver if your hearing changes or deteriorates.
Cons:
• As the speaker sits within the ear itself, they may require more regular cleaning and are more prone to damage from dirt and dead skin.
• They aren’t as discreet as other models; the hearing aid is more visible as it sits behind your ear.
• It’s harder to use a headset or telephone as it has to be held over the microphone.

26/08/2022

Air-conduction vs. bone-conduction hearing aids

Most hearing aids work through air conduction. They bring amplified sound into the ear canal. Sound then moves through the eardrum and three tiny bones in the middle ear to reach the inner ear, where it’s processed and sent to the brain.

For people who have problems with their outer or middle ear, those areas can be bypassed with bone-conduction hearing aids. They send sound through the skull to reach the inner ear.

Styles of Hearing Aids

Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids: BTE hearing aids are generally the largest hearing aid style. A plastic case containing most of the electronics sits behind the ear and is connected to an earmold that fits in the ear canal. BTE hearing aids can be used by people of all ages. The style is often chosen for young children because it can be adapted as they grow.

Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) aids: RIC (or mini receiver-in-the-ear; mini RITE) hearing aids sit behind the ear but are typically smaller than a BTE. The RIC hearing aid is attached to a tube housing a small wire with a dome-shaped tip at the end that rests in the ear canal (in some cases, earmolds are used). The RIC design allows more of the ear canal to remain open and is less visible than the BTE style.
In-the-ear (ITE) aids: This hearing aid sits completely in the outer ear (the “bowl” of the ear). All the hearing aid electronics are housed in a custom-fit shell.
In-the-canal (ITC) aids and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids: These are the smallest hearing aids currently available. The electronics are contained in a small custom-fit shell that fits partly or completely into the ear canal. Some people may like them because they are less noticeable while other people may find them harder to handle.

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