Do You Need a Hearing Aid?

Hearing loss affects many people, yet many people cringe at the thought of wearing a hearing aid. Here are some steps to determine whether someone you know may need a hearing aid. 1. Does the person frequently ask friends, family members and coworkers to repeat themselves? 2. Does the person frequently ask to have the volume turned up on the television or listening to the radio? 3. Does the person frequently seem to be shouting, even though he or she is not angry? 4. Does the person seem to misunderstand instructions or other information? 5. Does the person get frustrated easily at having made mistakes because of misheard information? If these conditions apply, the person should visit an ear specialist. The problem can be simple matter of an ear infection, which is quickly cured by antibiotics. Some medications can also cause hearing loss. Once they are changed or discontinued, hearing is restored, in most cases. Hearing loss can also be caused by a blockage of earwax. A doctor can easily remove it. Surgical procedures are available that may restore hearing, but they do not help every condition. The ear specialist can determine whether surgery will help. After ruling out these possibilities, it may be time to consider getting hearing aids. Many people over the age of sixty experience hearing loss, especially if they have spent much of their working lives in noisy workplaces. There are three main types of hearing aids. A bone conduction aid transmits sound from a microphone and amplifies it via a vibrating pad worn on the bone behind the ear. This type is used for permanent hearing loss cause by chronic middle ear infections or very narrow ear canals. Another type consists of a battery pack and a microphone. The microphone transforms sound into an electrical signal and sends it to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the sound and in turn transmits it to an earphone. This type of hearing aid has an earpiece that fits around the ear. The third type is similar to the battery-pack/microphone version. The difference is that all the components are housed in a single unit that fits just inside the ear canal. These models are the most expensive. When buying a hearing aid, buy from a company that has an audiologist on staff, rather than just sales representatives. Make sure the audiologist, a professional with a master's degree in the field, conducts a thorough hearing test. Always be sure the hearing aids are guaranteed. Insurance may cover the costs of testing and purchase. When the hearing aids arrive, be sure to follow the directions for caring for them. When not in use, they should be stored in their box so as to avoid being lost. If someone suspects there is a loss of hearing, he or she should take the time to visit their doctor or a hearing specialist as soon as possible. The sooner the problem is investigated, the easier it is to correct. Hearing aids are not shameful. It is better to wear them than to miss out on the sounds of living.