Your First Hearing Aid

Before selecting and purchasing a hearing aid it is important to remember that a hearing aid does not restore your hearing. Hearing aids help make soft sounds louder. According to the Better Hearing Institute, "Modern hearing aids can help 95 percent of persons with hearing loss." 

There are no "one size fits all" type of hearing aids. Every hearing loss is individual and different. The type and style of hearing aid that will be best for you depends on the nature and level of your hearing loss. Your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will help you decide on the best hearing aid for you, based on your level of hearing loss, budget and lifestyle.

Types of Hearing Loss

There are two main types of hearing loss. The first is called conductive hearing loss, and involves the outer or middle ear. With this form of hearing loss, sounds may seem muffled and the loudness of certain sounds may be affected. Usually conductive hearing loss affects a person’s ability to hear lower frequencies, particularly vowel sounds.

There are several possible causes of conductive hearing loss. These include wax obstructing the ear canal; infection of the tissue lining in the middle ear; a puncture of the eardrum or a malfunction in the movement of the ossicular chain (three tiny bones) of the middle ear. Usually, the treatment for this type of hearing loss is medical or surgical intervention.

The second and most common type of hearing loss is referred to as sensorineural hearing loss or "nerve deafness." Damage to the hair cells or nerve fibers in the inner ear distorts and diminishes the perceived loudness of sound. If you have this type of hearing loss, you may have difficulty in understanding speech, especially in noisy situations. You may also have trouble distinguishing consonant sounds (higher frequencies).

Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include birth defects, head injuries, infection, some medications, illnesses accompanied by a high fever, exposure to loud noises, or long-term exposure to noise. Generally sensorineural hearing loss cannot be treated medically or surgically. The use of a hearing aid may be the best method of treatment for individuals with nerve deafness.

Selecting a Hearing Aid

In North America there are more than one thousand different models of hearing aids being produced. Because of the extensive selection of hearing aids today and the individuality of each person’s needs, there are many points to consider. Selection of your hearing system should be made with the help of your hearing health care professional. They are trained to evaluate your hearing and help you with your hearing aid selection. See our section on Selecting a Hearing Clinic for more information.

Remember that advancements in hearing technology are constantly being made. Your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will know about some of the latest technology available. To help your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser evaluate which hearing system would be best for you, consider the following questions.

What are your physical concerns?

How is my dexterity?

Your dexterity is a factor in determining a hearing aid, as you will need to find a hearing aid in which you will be able to handle small batteries or controls.

Do I wear glasses?

The "behind-the-ear" style of hearing aid can be troublesome for individuals who wear glasses. One option available is the "eyeglass" style of hearing system with the hearing aid built into the frame of your eyeglasses. This type of hearing aid is available in the "behind-the-ear" and bone-conduction models of hearing aids. However, with the decreasing sizes of hearing aids, those who need both a hearing aid and eyeglasses are not limited to this style of hearing instrument.

What is my level of hearing loss?

Different types of hearing aids are recommended for different levels of hearing loss. In general "in-the-ear" style aids can be used with very mild to severe hearing loss; "in-the-canal" is suitable for mild to moderate loss; "behind-the-ear" is used for mild to severe hearing loss and the "body" aid is best suited for those with severe to profound hearing loss. Click here for more information on these types of hearing aids.

What are your listening needs?

Am I in a quiet or noisy environment all the time?

Am I in groups all the time?

Is music important to me?

Hearing Aids with dual microphones (some"Behind-the-Ear," "In-the-Ear," or "In-the-Canal" hearing aids) can help in noisy environments. Also, programmable or digital hearing aids can improve sound quality in noisy situations.

Do I travel a lot in the car?

You may experience problems with wind noise using some "In-the-Ear," or "In-the-Canal" style hearing aids.

Do I spend a lot of time on the phone?

With the "In-the-Ear" and the "In-the-Canal" styles of hearing aids, using the phone due to feedback noise can be a problem. (However, there are options such as telephone pick-up coils to help correct this) If you spend a lot of time on the phone then a good option is the "Completely-In-the-Canal" style of hearing aid.

What are your social needs?

Are you concerned about others knowing about your hearing loss?

If you want to be discreet about adjusting volume controls then a programmable hearing aid with a remote control would probably be a good option. Also if you are conscious about the visibility of your hearing aid, "completely-in-the-canal" hearing aids can be custom made to fit entirely in your ear canal.

What are my hobbies? Am I active? Can I wear my hearing aids square dancing?

If you have an active lifestyle, then depending on your hearing loss, the "completely-in-the-canal" style of hearing aid may be the best option for you. With this type of hearing aid wind noise, and the chance of losing your hearing aid while exercising are reduced. Feedback while talking on the phone is also virtually eliminated.

What are your economic concerns?

How much will a hearing aid cost?

Hearing aids range in price anywhere between $700 to $3000. In general, the smaller the hearing aid, the higher the cost. Also programmable or digital hearing aids cost more.

How much you spend on your hearing aid really depends on your needs.

One vs. Two

If two ears are better than one, then so are two aids. If hearing loss is present in both ears then, with some exceptions, two hearing aids are usually suggested.

There are many benefits to binaural amplification (two hearing aids), including, enhanced sound quality in noisy or quiet settings; an improved sense of balance; an ability to hear from a farther distance, and a reduction in the strain from hearing. Please discuss this with your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser for more information.

Adapting to your new Hearing Aid

It will take some time to get used to your hearing aid. Learning to adapt is not an overnight process. However, with patience, practice and realistic goals most people do adjust. How long it takes you to feel more comfortable with your hearing instrument depends on your age, physical health, level of hearing loss, the length of time you have had your hearing loss; as well as your determination to improve your hearing.

Give yourself time to adjust. Don’t pick up your hearing aid from your dispenser and immediately begin wearing it all the time.

Begin by wearing your hearing aid only around your family or friends.

In the first few weeks, don’t wear your hearing aid in noisy setting, like the airport, or a crowded mall.

Slowly increase your wearing time.

Don’t set the volume on your hearing aid too high.

Don’t force yourself to do too much. If you are tired or frustrated, take a break.

Some sounds may sound strange to you at first. Especially your voice! Don’t worry. This is natural. Practice reading aloud to get used to this.

You may find background noise like traffic, the buzz and hums of household machines, clashing dishes, etc. frustrating and distracting. Practice concentrating on whatever sound you would like to hear. If you have a multi-programmable hearing instruments, practice adjusting the programs or volume to find the settings that are best for you.

You may find conversation in group settings troublesome. Sometimes several people speak at once. Move closer to the person you would like to hear. Try to focus on one person at a time. Watching his or her lips may help you understand.

When you go to public performances or presentations, try sitting in front of the spokesperson, so that you can see his or her face. Do not sit too close. Many public buildings like theatres, churchs, conference rooms have Assistive Listening Devices or other systems to help people with hearing aids. Call ahead to find out what is available.

Above all, don’t be afraid to talk to your audiologist or your hearing aid dispenser if you have any questions about adjusting to your hearing aids.

Caring for your new Hearing Aid

The average life of a hearing aid, used daily is approximately three years. During this time your hearing aid will need to be cleaned regularly, serviced and repaired. You will likely need to replace the batteries in your hearing aid every five days to two weeks. This figure varies with the model of hearing aid you have selected and your pattern of usage. Ask your hearing care provider for a closer estimate when you purchase your hearing aid. It is a good to visit your hearing clinic regularly to have your hearing aid dispenser check and clean your hearing aid. A yearly hearing test is also recommended to ensure you are getting the best performance from your hearing aid.

Here are a few tips to remember about caring for your hearing aid.

Wipe your hearing aid daily with a soft lint-free cloth. Alcohol, solvents and cleaning products can damage your hearing aid. See your hearing aid provider for advice on cleaning your hearing aid. You must use a proper tool to clean the receiver and vent openings. Your hearing aid dispenser can do this for you or you may be able to purchase the correct tools for this from him or her.

Protect your hearing aid from moisture, steam and humidity. Do not take your hearing instrument in the bath, shower or any swimming area. Leave the battery compartments open at night. Remove the battery and store your hearing aid in a cool, dry place.

Do not wear your hearing aid when applying hair sprays, oils etc. Do not wear them during your treatment at a hair or beauty salon.

Keep your hearing aid away from small children and pets, (dogs, especially are sometimes drawn to feedback signals.)

Do not attempt to make repairs on your hearing aid yourself. Screwdrivers and oil can damage them.

Trial Period and Warranty

Most hearing clinic are required to give at least a 30 day trial period to make sure that your hearing aid works for you. Sometimes dispensers give a longer trial period. Some dispensers charge a "restocking fee" of anywhere between $35-$200. This covers the cost of the initial testing, fitting and adjustments. However, the cost of the hearing aid itself is refundable. Check with your hearing aid dispenser before purchasing your hearing aid.

Warranties generally vary with the manufacturer. Some companies offer a one year repair or replacement warranty on defective parts or labour. Others may replace or repair your hearing aid if lost or damaged for any reason during the warranty period. You may also purchase an extended warranty when you buy your hearing aid. Check with your hearing aid dispenser when you select your hearing aid.

Check out these other informative sections of the hearingcenteronline.com website.

1. How is your hearing? You can try our Hearing Test Questionnaire and see what your results are!
2. Understanding your Hearing Test. Check out this article to find out what to expect at your hearing test, and what  it all means.
3. What does Hearing Loss Sound Like?  At the bottom of this page there are some Audiograms if you would like to see what one looks like.
4. The Interactive Ear. This is a "Macromedia Flash" presentation of the parts of an ear and how they work.
5. The Interactive Hearing Aid.  This is a "Macromedia Flash" presentation of the parts of a hearing aid and how they work.
6. The Hearing Dictionary.  If you did not understand any of the words in this article you can look them up here.