Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States, and nearly 30 million Americans have some type of hearing problem. Approximately 30% of adults over the age of 65 experience hearing loss as a natural result of aging. However, although hearing problems are often associated with advanced age, as many as 20% of individuals between the ages of 45 and 65 experience hearing loss as a result of exposure to loud noise, illness and infection, head trauma, birth defects, reactions to certain drugs or other possible unknown causes.
Why Consult an Audiologist?
Audiologists are highly trained professionals who hold graduate degrees from regionally accredited universities. They are licensed in most states to practice audiology, and they have completed externships and national competency examinations.
The audiologist will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessment to determine the type and severity of your hearing loss. Then a comprehensive hearing aid evaluation will be used to determine which hearing aids are most appropriate for you. Audiologists use the most advanced computerized procedures and state-of-the-art equipment to individualize the fitting of your hearing aids to your particular type of hearing loss. In addition to properly fitting your hearing aids, an audiologist can provide follow-up care, hearing aid accessories and training for you and your family members.
The American Academy of Audiology guides its member audiologists with a rigid code of ethics requiring the highest standards of service and ethical business practices.
Which Hearing Aid is Best for Me?
Continued advances in technology have greatly improved the circuitry and signal processing in hearing aids. At the time of your hearing aid evaluation, your audiologist will guide you through the many options and help you determine which style and type of hearing aid is most appropriate to help you hear better.
The hearing evaluation process begins with a diagnostic hearing assessment. If you are a candidate for hearing aids, your audiologist will also conduct a hearing aid evaluation. Your audiologist will discuss the styles and technologies that are available and most appropriate for you. The audiologist will explain the policies and procedures for dispensing aids, discuss costs, and take impressions of your ear canals for the customized manufacture of your hearing aids.
When your new customized hearing aids are ready, you will return for the hearing aid fitting. The audiologist will ensure that your hearing aid feels comfortable and that you understand its operation. Additional testing will be done to confirm that the hearing aids are providing you with optimum amplification and clarity to understand speech. Your visit will include extensive counseling on the use and care of your new hearing aids. Follow-up visits will be scheduled if you need further help or if the instrument needs additional adjustments. You will be encourages to contact your audiologist with any questions or concerns you have about your hearing aids and their use.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) hearing aids represent the most advanced technology available. DSP technologies are constantly improving and operate with digital programming that allows the audiologist to adjust the parameters of the hearing aids through special computer programs. DSP operates by conducting millions of calculations per second to enhance sounds for easier listening. Most of these hearing aids amplify soft sounds while limiting the level of loud sounds.
Today's hearing aids offer a large number of optional features that may improve your listening comfort and your understanding of speech. These features are explained below:
- Directional microphones can improve your speech understanding in many types of noisy environments;
- Digital noise reduction automatically lowers the hearing aid volume for many types of noises, which may improve your listening comfort;
- Automatic feedback reduction can reduce the annoying squeal that some hearing aids make, without the reduction in your listening volume;
- A telephone coil microphone allows you to access different listening devices, which can work in collaboration with your hearing aid.
Most of the above optional features are available in an automatic mode or in a manual mode. In the automatic mode, the hearing aid decides when to turn on and turn off the optional features, while in the manual mode you can press a button to select the optional feature when you want to use it. Your audiologist will help you decide which of the optional features are most appropriate for your hearing loss and your lifestyle.
Coping with Hearing Loss
An important part of the audiologist's work is to counsel individuals and their families to help them understand and overcome problems created by hearing loss. The audiologist may recommend strategies or assistive listening devices to help optimize hearing performance with hearing aids. The personal counseling, known generally as hearing rehabilitation, may include suggestions for the use of associated listening and alerting devices to help individuals with all degrees of hearing loss. Amplification systems to increase the loudness and clarity of face-to-face conversations, television, and telephone and cell phone conversations are now possible with today's technologies. Your audiologist will be able to help you utilize assistive hearing technology appropriate to your lifestyle.
What Can I Expect from My Hearing Aids?
It is likely that your hearing gradually deteriorated over time, so you should not expect your hearing aids to immediately return your hearing to "normal". Using hearing aids successfully takes time and patience. Remember that it is important to tell your audiologist about any problems you are experiencing so appropriate adjustments can be made. Plan to consult your audiologist annually - more frequently if you notice a change in your hearing - to check on your hearing aids' performance and to stay up-to-date with the rapidly advancing technology.
For more information, Find an Audiologist to speak with in your area.