Council on Aging Answers 2015 - 40

Hearing Aids:
What You Should Know

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COUNCIL ON AGING - ORANGE COUNTY

n Providence Speech and hearing Center

Perhaps you've noticed that your hearing isn't
what it used to be. You miss a word here and there in
conversations. You find yourself turning the television volume up louder and louder to hear your favorite programs. You can no longer hear voices over
certain background noises.
Perhaps you've thought about getting hearing aids,
but you're not sure where to start. Knowing more
about the hearing aid options available, what to look
for when selecting and purchasing hearing aids, and
how to adjust to them may help ease some of your
concerns.
Getting started
Equally as important as deciding to get hearing
aids is deciding where to get hearing aids. Many
are sold by hearing aid distributors who work on
commission and may sell you a device that doesn't
completely meet your needs. It is essential to find a
full-service hearing aid sales and service center that
offers the latest in high-quality hearing aids and repairs. Look for a Doctor of Audiology who will perform a full audiology evaluation to determine your
degree of hearing loss and if you need hearing aids.
Hearing aid technology
With today's digital technology, hearing aids can
be programmed to your specific hearing loss and
can automatically adjust to your preferences and environment. A computer chip inside the hearing aid
converts and analyzes incoming sounds. The chip
adjusts those sounds based on your level of hearing
loss, listening needs, and the sounds around you. The
aid converts the signals into sound waves, and delivers them to your ears. The result is sound that's finely
tuned to your hearing loss.
40

Answers Guide 2015

Hearing aid styles
Hearing aids are available in different styles which
vary in size, features, and the way they fit. Some fit
completely inside your ear canal making them almost invisible; others fit partially in your ear canal
while others hide behind your ear.
When selecting a style, you will want to consider:
degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, how much you use
the telephone and how often you're in noisy environments, comfort and how visible the hearing aids will
be to others.
Some hearing aids have built-in options to improve your ability to hear in specific situations. Discuss with your audiologist the best style and options
to meet your needs, then ask about a demonstration
or trial period with the hearing aids you select.
After the fitting
Once you've chosen hearing aids, getting used
to wearing them takes time. Hearing aids improve
your hearing by amplifying soft sounds and reducing
loud background noises. It takes time for your brain
to adjust to this new way of hearing. Your listening
skills will gradually improve as you become accustomed to the amplification. Remember that your
hearing loss was likely a gradual process, but hearing
aids make an immediate difference. Give yourself
time to get used to the change.
Your audiologist can give you tips to ease the transition and help you enjoy an enhanced ability to hear
and communicate in a variety of situations. By wearing your hearing aids regularly and taking good care
of them, you'll likely notice significant improvements
in your overall quality of life.
For more information visit Providence Speech and
Hearing Center at www.pshc.org or the Hearing Loss
Association of America at www.hearingloss.org.

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http://www.pshc.org http://www.hearingloss.org

Council on Aging Answers 2015

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