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Basics of Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids
Learn about the basics of hearing loss and hearing aids in this informative article. Understand the causes, types, and treatments of hearing loss, and find out how hearing aids can help you hear better.
Hearing loss affects more than just the person who has it. It can also have a significant impact on the people around them
Hearing loss can have a huge impact on your personal and professional life, from your work life to your relationships and emotional well-being of You and People around you. Your Hearing loss not just only affects your life, but it also has a huge effect on the people around you, who love you and are around you to take care of you. Hearing aids can make a big difference, especially if you pick the right ones and get help adjusting to them.
Hearing loss that’s due to problems with the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear is called conductive hearing loss. Most of the time, surgery or other medical help can make it better. But those options aren’t right for everyone. If you have an open ear canal and a relatively normal external ear, a hearing aid may help.
Not everyone with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. But only 1 in 5 people who could have improvement wear them. Most of the time, they’re for people who have damage to their inner ear or the nerve that links the ear with the brain. The damage can come from:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Noise exposure
- Ear infections
- Head injuries
- Certain medications
- Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and Meniere’s disease
A hearing aid is a battery-powered electronic device designed to improve your hearing. Small enough to wear in or behind your ear, they make some sounds louder. They may help you hear better when it’s quiet and when it’s noisy. Here’s how they work:
- A microphone picks up sound around you.
- An amplifier makes the sound louder.
- A receiver sends these amplified sounds into your ear.
All hearing aids use the same basic parts to carry sounds from the environment into your ear and make them louder. Most hearing aids are digital, and all are powered with a traditional hearing aid battery or a rechargeable battery.
Small microphones collect sounds from the environment. A computer chip with an amplifier converts the incoming sound into digital code. It analyzes and adjusts the sound based on your hearing loss, listening needs and the level of the sounds around you. The amplified signals are then converted back into sound waves and delivered to your ears through speakers, sometimes called receivers.
Types and Styles of Hearing Aids
Find the right hearing aid for you at Central Audiology in Karachi. We'll consider your hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget to find the perfect solution.
There are two main types of hearing aids:
1. Analogue Hearing Aids
2. Digital Hearing Aids
Analog hearing aids convert sound waves into electrical signals and then make them louder. They’re usually less expensive and have simple volume controls.
Digital hearing aids convert sound waves into numerical codes similar to computer codes, then amplify them. The code includes information about the direction of a sound and its pitch or volume. That makes it easier to adjust the sound to what you need, whether you’re in a restaurant, a quiet room, or a stadium. Most will adjust automatically. Although this type costs more than an analog hearing aid, the results are much better. They’re also smaller and more powerful.
There are Five main styles of hearing aids.
1. Completely In Canal (CIC)
2. In The Canal (ITC)
3. In The Ear (ITE)
4. Behind The Ear (BTE)
5. Receiver In Canal (RIC)
All of these are discussed in detail further.
Completely In Canal (CIC)
A completely-in-canal (CIC) aid is smaller and nearly hidden in your ear. Either type can help mild to moderately severe hearing loss. But because of their size, they can be harder to adjust and remove. This style of hearing aid isn’t ideal for children or adults who might have problems with very small devices. An invisible-in-canal (IIC) aid is nearly impossible for others to see. You may put it in every day, or it may be a device you wear for several months at a time. Is the smallest and least visible type Is less likely to pick up wind noise Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life and can be difficult to handle Often doesn't include extra features, such as volume control or a directional microphone Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker
In The Canal (ITC)
In The Canal (ITC) hearing aids are slightly larger, and extend a little farther out than CIC hearing aids. However, due to their slightly larger size, ITC hearing aids can accommodate more features than CICs. Like CICs, these hearing aids are also custom fit for your ears. Is less visible in the ear than larger styles Includes features that won't fit on completely-in-the-canal aids, but may be difficult to adjust due to its small size Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker Is the smallest and least visible type Is less likely to pick up wind noise Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life and can be difficult to handle Often doesn't include extra features, such as volume control or a directional microphone Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker
In The Ear (ITE)
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside your outer ear. They have a hard plastic case that holds the electronics. They’re best for people with mild to severe hearing loss, but they don’t work as well for children whose ears are still growing. Includes features that don't fit on smaller style hearing aids, such as a volume control May be easier to handle Uses a larger battery for longer battery life, with several options for rechargeable batteries Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker May pick up more wind noise than do smaller devices Is more visible in the ear than smaller devices Is the smallest and least visible type Is less likely to pick up wind noise Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life and can be difficult to handle Often doesn't include extra features, such as volume control or a directional microphone Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker
Behind The Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids sit in a hard plastic case behind your ear. A plastic ear mold fits inside the outer ear and directs sound to the ear. A different type, called a Mini BTE, fits entirely behind your ear, with a narrow tube that goes into your ear canal. This helps keep earwax from building up and makes sure your own voice sounds clear. BTEs can work for mild to severe hearing loss, but they aren't for everyone. Traditionally has been the largest type of hearing aid, though some newer mini designs are streamlined and barely visible Has directional microphones Is capable of more amplification than are other styles May pick up more wind noise than do other styles May be available with a rechargeable battery Is less visible in the ear than larger styles Includes features that won't fit on completely-in-the-canal aids, but may be difficult to adjust due to its small size Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker Is the smallest and least visible type Is less likely to pick up wind noise Uses very small batteries, which have shorter life and can be difficult to handle Often doesn't include extra features, such as volume control or a directional microphone Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker
Receiver In Canal (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) styles both have a behind-the-ear component that connects to a receiver in the ear or ear canal with a tiny wire. These allow low-frequency sounds to enter the ear naturally and high-frequency sounds to be amplified through the hearing aid. RIC and RITE may be a good choice for people with mild to profound hearing loss. Typically has a less visible behind-the-ear portion Has directional microphones Has manual control options May be available with rechargeable battery Is susceptible to earwax clogging the speaker
At Central Audiology & Hearing Care Services Karachi, we offer the most comprehensive diagnostic facilities and the latest technology in hearing aids to suit your needs and lifestyle. For any further information regarding hearing aid features or function please visit us or call us at +92(300)9200222
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Central Audiology, Mahenti Tower, Ch. Khalique-uz-Zaman Road, Clifton Block 8, Karachi, Pakistan. Adj Lunar Furniture