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Hearing is important
Do you or a loved one not hear like you used to? It’s possible you will answer this question, yes. In Oregon, one out of 12 people suffer from hearing loss and in the U.S., an estimated 30+ million people are affected.
Hearing well is perhaps more important than we realize. Since we hear “in stereo,” our ears allow us to judge direction of sound. It helps us enjoy our friends and family, keeps us safe from danger, and stay in touch with our world.
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Symptoms of hearing loss
Fear, loneliness, isolation, bitterness and confusion are symptoms of hearing loss. A person suffering with this problem may begin to avoid social events, ask others to repeat themselves, complain of others mumbling and keep the volume higher than normal on the television.
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Help for hearing problems
Modern technology makes better hearing possible. Just as a person with a vision impairment understands that glasses or surgery will correct their vision problem, help for hearing impairment begins when a person is willing to invest the time and effort to have their problem tested and treated. Most hearing problems can be helped, either medically or with amplification. The quality of help today far surpasses what was available even a few years ago!
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How many causes & types of hearing loss are there?
Some people are born with a hearing defect, but more often hearing loss is caused by the aging process, prolonged exposure to loud noise, a head injury or ear infection. There are two types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural (nerve loss). Conductive loss occurs when the eardrum or middle ear does not work properly. A build up of wax in the ear canal, an ear infection or a punctured or scarred eardrum can cause this type of loss. Often, a conductive hearing loss can be surgically corrected.
Nerve or sensorineural loss, the type most often associated with aging, occurs when sound vibrations are not processed correctly by the hearing nerve in the inner ear. When this happens, messages cannot be passed to the brain and words often sound muffled.
Usually, hearing aids will assist this type of loss by amplifying sounds that otherwise would not be heard. Hearing aids are custom made to fit each person’s loss and ear shape.
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Why should you seek help from an Oregon Hearing Society Member?
As a Society we maintain that our members adhere to a Code of Ethics for Hearing Aid Specialists, upholding the highest standards. These principles of professional conduct are to help provide the best service for the hearing impaired and to guide hearing health professionals in their relations with patients, colleagues and the general public. Seeking hearing help from one of our members will give confidence to the hearing impaired consumers of Oregon.
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The hearing evaluation
The first step for help with hearing loss is to possess the willingness to have your hearing checked. The hearing check, called an evaluation or test, takes about 30 minutes. During the test, which involves special equipment, you will listen with one ear at a time to a series of tones. As you respond to the tones, your results will be recorded on a chart.
The second part of the test determines your level of volume needs. To accomplish this, a series of speech tests are given, and your results are evaluated. This evaluation determines if you have a loss, the type of loss, and the proper way to help.
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Treatment
If the type of loss you have is determined to be conductive, surgery or other medical treatment may be needed. Some types of conductive loss and most nerve loss cannot be helped medically or surgically. Hearing instruments that amplify sound are the most prescribed methods to help with these problems.
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Which hearing aid is right for me?
If your hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids, discuss with your specialist your realistic goals and expectations and they can assist you in the selection process. Together, you will need to make several decisions in order to select an instrument that is right or you.
- Style of the hearing aid: Completely in Canal (CIC) , In-the-Canal (ITC), In-the-Ear (ITE), or Behind-the-Ear (BTE).
- Technology & Features: Analog = older technology but still appropriate for many hearing losses.
- Digital = Latest technology utilizing computers to allow better flexibility in fitting your hearing loss.
- Costs: The cost of hearing aids is determined by the style, the technology, added features and circuit configurations you need or desire. There is a wide range of prices available, so be selective and concentrate on getting a product suited to your hearing loss and your budget. Your hearing care professional is your partner in achieving your goals and expectations for better hearing. They are trained and knowledgeable on today’s technology and will recommend appropriate products for your needs and budget.
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Hearing again
At first your new hearing aids will take some getting used to. No doubt you’ll hear new sounds you haven’t heard in years. Remember, your hearing has been muffled until now. So be patient and understand that sounds will seem louder. You may have to learn to concentrate on a conversation in the midst of distracting background noises. Your brain takes a period of time to adjust to become familiar with the new sounds.
Within a couple weeks, you will be enjoying parts of life you may have forgotten about. To make your adjustment time easier, your hearing care professional may ask you to schedule post-fitting counseling and follow up care. During these sessions you will receive personal attention to your progress. With counseling and practice you will relearn your listening skills.
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