Hearing loss is a common problem, and it’s becoming more prevalent in today’s digital world. According to the World Health Organization, 285 million people worldwide have some degree of hearing loss. Many of these difficulties are age-related, and studies show that one in three adults over the age of 65 has some form of hearing loss. Thankfully, advances in technology make it easier than ever for people with hearing impairment to continue enjoying their favorite activities.
Audiologists can help you find the best hearing aid for your needs. These devices have come a long way from the old-fashioned boxy models we all remember from our grandparents. Newer versions look and function much differently, but they all serve the same purpose: to improve hearing by amplifying sounds and filtering outside noise. This article covers everything you need to know about audiology and hearing aid options for the modern world.
What is Audiology?
Audiology is the study of hearing and balance. Audiologists are healthcare professionals who assess and treat people with hearing or balance disorders. These professionals work closely with other specialists, including otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists.
Audiologists fit people with hearing aids, select appropriate cochlear implants, and help patients adjust to tinnitus and other hearing disorders. Audiologists often work in private practices, hospitals, and schools. Audiologists need a doctoral degree and licensure to practice. Audiologists can help you find the best hearing aid for your needs. These devices have come a long way from the old-fashioned boxy models we all remember from our grandparents. Newer versions look and function much differently, but they all serve the same purpose: to improve hearing by amplifying sounds and filtering outside noise.
Types of Hearing Aids
Analog Hearing Aids – These devices use sound-amplifying circuits — which include a microphone, amplifier, and speaker — to improve hearing. They can be very effective at boosting soft sounds, but they don’t do much to filter out background noise. Audiologists still use them today, but they’re not the most effective hearing aid option.
Digital Hearing Aids – These devices offer far more functionality than their analog predecessors. Beyond amplifying sound, they can also reduce noise and provide feedback about the wearer’s hearing. Digital hearing aids can connect to mobile devices, allowing users to take advantage of useful features like voice recognition. Besides the above-mentioned advantages, these devices are also easier to program and less cumbersome than analog hearing aids.
Hearing Aid Options
Hearing aids have come a long way since their invention in the early 20th century. There are many different types of hearing aids, and they all serve the same basic purpose: to improve hearing by amplifying sounds and filtering outside noise. This can help people with hearing loss better understand speech and connect with their environment.
Hearing aids come in many shapes and sizes, and you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and hearing loss. Here are some of the most common hearing aid options:
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE) – BTEs are the most common type of hearing aid. BTEs sit behind the ear and connect to a portion that sits in the ear canal. The BTE earpiece can be worn in either or both ears, depending on the wearer’s needs. Behind-the-Ear hearing aids are known for their high sound quality. This type of aid is often used to treat mild to moderate hearing loss.
- In-the-Ear (ITE) – Similar to BTEs, ITE hearing aids are worn behind the ear and have a portion that sits in the ear canal. ITEs are slightly less visible than BTEs, but they also provide high sound quality. ITEs are also suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- In-the-Canal (ITC) – ITC hearing aids are smaller than ITEs, so they are less visible. They are, therefore, often used for milder cases of hearing loss.
- Completely-in-the-Canal (CITC) – CITC hearing aids are the smallest type of hearing aid and are suitable for mild cases of hearing loss. CITCs are completely invisible when worn. They are often used with children or for aesthetic reasons.
- Subtractive-CITC – Subtractive CITCs are CITCs that are custom-made for patients with mild to severe hearing loss. A doctor will remove a portion of the ear canal so the device can be placed deeper inside the ear and be less visible.
- Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE) – RITE hearing aids are worn behind the ear and have a portion that sits in the ear canal. RITEs are larger than other types of hearing aids, and they may be more visible. RITE hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are electronic devices that are surgically implanted inside the bone behind the ear. Cochlear implants do not restore normal hearing, but they provide a sense of sound to people with severe hearing loss. According to Apex Audiology in Colorado Springs, the cochlear implant contains electrodes that send electrical signals to the auditory nerve. These signals are deciphered by the brain as sound.
Cochlear implants are suitable for people with moderate to severe hearing loss that cannot be treated with hearing aids. They are also often used in combination with hearing aids. The most common type of cochlear implant is the behind-the-ear (BTE) model. Cochlear implants are a great option for many people with severe hearing loss. They provide a sense of sound to people who have not heard anything in decades. Cochlear implants are not suitable for everyone, though, so it’s important to discuss your options with an audiologist.
Auditory Prostheses
Auditory prostheses are used to treat people with bilateral hearing loss or deafness caused by damage to hearing nerves. These devices are often used in combination with sign language or other forms of communication. Auditory prostheses are often used in conjunction with cochlear implants. They provide a sense of sound to people with severe hearing loss that cannot be treated with hearing aids.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a common problem, and it’s becoming more prevalent in today’s digital world. Fortunately, advances in technology have made it easier than ever for people with hearing impairment to continue enjoying their favorite activities. Audiologists can help you find the best hearing aid for your needs. Hearing aids have come a long way from the old-fashioned boxy models we all remember from our grandparents. Newer versions look and function much differently, but they all serve the same purpose: to improve hearing by amplifying sounds and filtering outside noise.