Should You Stop Wearing Hearing Aids in Loud Conditions – Could They Further Impair Your Hearing?

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

A standard patient question is whether their hearing aid will increase sounds which can be already too loud, making those sounds louder still. The answer to this common question is very reassuring.

The basic answer is that present day hearing aids won’t increase sounds that are already excessively loud making them even louder, thus potentially harming the wearer’s hearing even further, provided that they’re correctly fitted and adjusted. The phrase in bold type is the critical part, and the reason why you need to seek professional help with choosing and fitting your hearing aids.

The more complex answer has to do with the nature of modern digital hearing aids themselves, and how they work. Digital hearing aids receive sounds through their microphones and turn them into binary information that can then be processed by the hearing aid’s microchip before it is sent to the earphones. These digital hearing aids can be programmed, allowing audiologists to not only set a maximum volume that suits you, but to transform the nature of the sounds you hear. If you have primarily high-frequency hearing loss, for example, we might program the hearing aid to amplify those sounds while reducing the volume of lower-frequency sounds. This preference can be reversed, of course, if you suffer from primarily low-frequency hearing loss.

The newest digital hearing aids can also filter sounds to make them easier for you to understand. For example, if foreground voices are obscured by background noise, the hearing aid can detect the noise and suppress it or lower its volume, amplifying only the voices. The hearing aids can also be adjusted to dynamically compensate for differences in volume; if the speaker or music you are listening to starts softly but then increases and becomes too loud, the hearing aid can compensate for this. This process is aided by directional microphones that can detect where sounds are coming from and thus reduce the volume of background noise coming from behind or to the sides while increasing the volume of sounds coming from in front of you.

An important point to remember is that hearing aids will not protect your ears from loud sounds like earplugs do. Noise-induced hearing loss can still be caused by loud sounds such as chainsaws or overly amplified rock concerts. But in most situations your properly fitted and programmed hearing aid should handle most of the range of sounds you’re likely to encounter.

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The Difference Between Wearing One Hearing Aid or Two

April 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Hearing aids are a major investment, so if you have experienced hearing loss in both ears, you naturally think, “Do I actually need two hearing aids, or could I hear equally as well with only one?” Most hearing professionals will state that the benefits of using two hearing aids greatly exceed the additional expense, but to be fair let’s begin with the reasons why some individuals don’t require two.

To start with, if your hearing is fully normal in one ear, you clearly do not need a second hearing aid for that ear. Conversely, if you are totally 100% deaf in one ear, there is no point in having a second hearing aid. If you are prone to recurring ear infections, wearing hearing aids can potentially make the situation worse, so wearing a single aid might be an advantage. Or, if you have a specific form of hearing loss where the speech is heard garbled, a hearing aid in that ear may make your comprehension worse by amplifying the garbled speech. Except for these cases, the arguments for wearing two hearing aids are pretty persuasive, and are validated by surveys of consumer preferences and customer satisfaction – most hearing aid users vastly prefer the binaural sound provided by two hearing aids. Wearing two hearing aids greatly improves your ability to detect the source and direction of the sound. Understanding speech has been proven to be much easier when wearing two hearing aids than when wearing one, especially when the listening environment is noisy.

If you have hearing loss in both ears, wearing two hearing aids will enable you to keep stimulating both ears, whereas wearing only one can allow the other ear to deteriorate further from lack of use. For tinnitus sufferers, two hearing aids are almost always the wisest choice because the hearing aid is used to mask the ringing or buzzing sounds associated with tinnitus. Without the second hearing aid, these sounds continue in the other ear. Not surprisingly, consumer research studies have shown that wearing two hearing aids is less mentally tiring than wearing one.

Collectively, there are numerous reasons why wearing two hearing aids is the better choice and only a few situation where a single one might be recommended. But if you still have your doubts, test it for yourself by making an appointment to see us. You will be able to hear the difference for yourself between one hearing aid and two. Then decide for yourself which provides you with the better hearing experience. We think you’ll decide that two is better than one.

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Quick Analog vs Digital Hearing Aids Comparison

March 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment

When trying to understand the difference between analog and digital hearing aids, it is important to first appreciate the history of analog versus digital, and the alternative ways that they amplify and process sounds. Analog hearing aids came out first, and were the norm in the majority of hearing aids for many years. Then with the introduction of digital signal processing (DSP) technology, digital hearing aids also started to appear. At this point, most (90%) of the hearing aids sold in the US are digital, although analog hearing aids are still sold because they’re often lower priced, and because some people prefer them.

The way that analog hearing aids operate is that they take sound waves from the microphone in the form of electricity and then amplify them, delivering louder versions of the sound waves to the speakers in your ears “as is.” Digital hearing aids take the sound waves from the microphone and convert them to digital binary code, the “bits and bytes” and “zeros and ones” that all digital devices understand. Once the sound is digitized, the micro-chip inside the hearing aid can manipulate the information in complex ways before transforming it back to analog sound and passing it on to your ears.

Remember that analog and digital hearing aids serve the same purpose – they take sounds and boost them so that you can hear them better. Both analog and digital hearing aids can be programmable, which means that they contain microchips which can be customized to alter sound quality to match the user, and to create different configurations for different environments. For example, there might be distinct settings for low-noise locations like libraries, for noisy restaurants, and for outdoor spaces like stadiums.

Digital hearing aids, because of their capacity to manipulate the sounds in digital form, often have more features and flexibility, and are often user-configurable. For example, digital hearing aids may offer multiple channels and memories, permitting them to store more environment-specific profiles. Other capabilities of digital hearing aids include being able to automatically reduce background noise and remove feedback or whistling, or the ability to prefer the sound of human voices over other sounds.

Cost-wise, most analog hearing aids are still less expensive than digital hearing aids, but some reduced-feature digital hearing aids are now in a similar general price range. There is commonly a noticable difference in sound quality, but the question of whether analog or digital is “better” is up to the individual, and the ways that they are used.

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Common Hearing Aid Buying Mistakes Made by First Time Buyers

December 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you’re shopping for your first hearing aid and finding the process confusing, you are not alone. When Consumer Reports did a comparative report on hearing aids, they followed consumers for six months as they tried to figure out which one to buy. After six months the disappointing results were in: these first-time hearing aid owners were left with ill-fitting hearing aids with volumes either too loud or too soft. Prices varied widely, and the people selling them did not always provide the kinds of information the shoppers needed. That said, there are tips that can help you when shopping for your first hearing aid, and in this article we’ll cover a few of them. We can’t provide all of the information that would be useful to cover in such a short set of tips, so we refer you in advance to an excellent set of guidelines at Your Guide to Buying Hearing Aids. These guidelines are provided on the website of the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), a non-profit corporation that educates the public about hearing loss and what can be done about it. In addition to their suggestions, here are ours:

See an audiology professional

Make an appointment to see one of our audiology specialists or any other certified hearing specialist in your area. You can be best prepared for your appointment by reviewing the BHI guidelines beforehand. It will help you to ask the right questions and know what the right answers are.

Determine which type of hearing aid you need

This is decided while working with the specialists, who will use tests they conduct during Step 1 to determine your type and severity of hearing loss. The type of aids you choose should reflect which type is best for your particular hearing problems, and for your budget.

Do your research

After selecting the type of hearing aid that is best for your situation use the Internet to research different models. Your research should focus on any reports of problems or repairs, consumer reviews on comfort and reliability, as well as price comparisons.

Locate a reputable vendor

This vendor may be your hearing specialist from Step 1 or someone they referred you to. The vendor should be able to make molds of your ears and fit the aids properly. While it is possible to buy hearing aids on the Internet, this is not recommended because most models have to be custom-fitted.

Ensure proper fit and performance

This should be done before walking out the door after your first fitting, and the vendor you select should support this. Most reputable vendors will do this, and provide a “satisfaction guaranteed” warranty, complete with free followup fittings or adjustments, if necessary.

We are here to help you as you make the purchase of your first hearing aid and we wish you good luck on this exciting journey to better hearing!

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We Provide Earmolds

October 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Your ears are unique, with a complex inner shape. If you’ve ever resorted to those one-size-fits-no-one-really foam earplugs, you know how uncomfortable they can be. Their effectiveness is severely limited because they’re not made to fit your specific ear canal. Only custom-made hearing protection gives you the perfect, comfortable fit and reliable effectiveness.

Do you use an iPod? You’d be surprised how well new custom-fit ear buds help you connect with the music without stressing your sense of hearing— or harming your ears physically. The buds are created and fit by a hearing aid provider or audiologist. These specialized buds reduce external noise and don’t fall out when you’re exercising or running for the bus.

Are you a music lover? High quality custom-made earplugs are almost invisible when worn and they’re so comfortable you may not feel them either. With custom earplugs, you’ll increase your enjoyment of live concert performances without enduring a headache or ringing ears afterwards. Preserve your precious sense of hearing for the future.

Musicians, you’re understandably concerned about earplugs interfering with your perception of those essential high notes. Custom musician plugs are made from materials specially designed to allow you to hear the entire range of the sound spectrum, lowering the volume to a safer level without distorting sound.

How molds are made

Custom-fit hearing aids, ear protection and communication earpieces are made from a mold of your ear canal. Silicon is placed into the ear canals using a syringe to create the mold, which is refined to fit the individual and the ear bud if applicable. Specially designed swimming molds and hunter’s molds are also an option.

Could you use a set of musician plugs? These hearing devices can help anyone suffering from hyper-sensitive hearing (hyperacusis) or living in a noise-filled environment. What’s more, the earplugs don’t inhibit the ability to hear others’ voices. Ask about a customized hearing solution made here at East End Hearing.

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Your Hearing Aid Fitting

June 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you have been evaluated for hearing loss by your hearing healthcare provider, you may have already determined your candidacy for hearing aids. If you have made your ear impressions and ordered your aids, you now just have to wait for them to return from the manufacturer. Typically the wait time is 1.5 to 3 weeks for a custom aid or custom ear piece to return. Non-custom aids may be ready to be fit the same week as your evaluation. Once the aids have returned to your provider’s clinic, they will thoroughly check the devices to ensure that the hearing instruments are performing as expected. An appointment for fitting and orientation will be scheduled.

Expect your fitting and orientation to last between 1 and 1.5 hours. Your provider will place your hearing instruments in your ears and ensure a good fit. While the feeling may not be very natural for you at the beginning, there should never be any major discomfort or pain, even initially. If you note any of these symptoms, tell your hearing healthcare provider immediately.

Your aids will be connected by wires or wirelessly (typically through Bluetooth capabilities) to a computer programming software. Your provider will probably have pre-programmed basic settings prior to your coming in. The sounds seem very new and very loud to you at first. This occurrence is natural, but if the sound is uncomfortable or distorted tell your provider. Your patient feedback is just as valuable as the computer programming used. Some programming adjustments may be made to get the best sound quality for your hearing needs.

Some providers ask their patients to stick to a schedule of wear time for your hearing instruments. An adjustment period may necessary for some (but not all) patients to acclimate to this “new” sound. If you want to deviate from the schedule, wear more often – never less often.

Your hearing healthcare provider will guide you through the process of understanding the components of your aid, inserting and removing your aids, and hearing instrument care and maintenance. You should be given time to demonstrate these skills and ask any questions. You should be provided with a supply of batteries to carry you through at least a 30-day trial period. A follow-up appointment is usually set for one to two weeks. If you have problems with your hearing or hearing aids before then, contact your provider.

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