Treating Hearing Loss
Who you should see and what steps you should take .
By ELIZABETH BRASSINE , AU . D
Hearing is one of the body ’ s most remarkable senses . It integrates with our brain to help us connect with the world around us . Made up of a complex system of delicate and synchronous parts , it ’ s easy to take this vital sense for granted . If any of these components aren ’ t working properly , the result could be hearing loss . For 48 million Americans — or nearly one in five ages 12 and older — this is precisely the case .
If you think you or someone you know has hearing loss , you ’ re probably wondering what the next step should be : that ’ s easy — see a hearing professional . It ’ s important to see someone who specializes in hearing issues such as a Doctor of Audiology . Schedule a comprehensive evaluation to begin treatment and rehabilitation as soon as possible .
DON ’ T DO IT ALONE While hearing loss typically can ’ t be reversed , most cases can be managed with the help of an Audiologist and hearing aids .
SEE A PROFESSIONAL Just as every person is unique , every hearing loss and need is unique too . To ensure you get a solution that ’ s custom-fit to your precise needs and lifestyle , it ’ s always recommended that you consult with an audiologist . These trained experts have the experience , education , and technology needed to diagnose and measure your degree of hearing loss , then recommend and administer a solution personalized for you , including ongoing support and care .
GET THE RIGHT SOLUTION Today the best solution for sensorineural hearing loss is hearing aids . Like all high-tech devices , hearing aids have improved significantly over the past several years in terms of performance and appearance . From “ invisible ” solutions that fit deep inside your ear and are virtually undetectable but still deliver exceptional sound quality , to wireless options that stream audio from your phone and TV , today ’ s hearing aids sound better , fit more comfortably and perform more reliably than ever before .
HOW A HEARING AID WORKS ( THE BASICS ) A microphone picks up sound and converts it into an electrical / digital signal . An amplifier then increases the strength of the signal , which in our more sophisticated devices , is manipulated by advanced signal processing . This allows the signal to be “ shaped ” to someone ’ s hearing loss . The receiver or speaker converts it back into sound and sends it into the ear canal , to eventually reach the inner ear . That signal goes up the auditory pathway to the brain which “ hears ” and understands the sound as speech .
There is a difference between basic amplification products and hearing aids . Hearing aids and personal sound amplifier products
( PSAPs ) both improve the ability to hear sound . PSAPs are typically stripped of sound enhancement features . In many ways , these devices are a throwback to the old analog hearing aids that basically just made all sounds louder . However , hearing aids are designed to improve your hearing in more difficult listening situations with advanced technology features like feedback elimination , noise reduction technology and often better ability to hear on the phone .
TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE Nearly 95 % of people with sensorineural hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids . But wearing two hearing aids delivers these additional benefits :
• Better understanding of speech
• Better understanding in background noise
• Better and smoother sound quality
• Better sound identification and localization
• Better tinnitus masking
TREATMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Research by the National Council on Aging ( NCOA ) concluded that hearing loss treatment is shown to improve : physical health , communication in relationships , warmth in family relationships , ease in communication , emotional stability , sense of control over life events , and earning power .
THE RIGHT FIT Today ’ s best hearing aids are precision instruments , utilizing advanced technology that can and should be customized to fit your specific hearing loss and unique lifestyle needs . Determining which hearing aids are right for you depends on a variety of important and unique factors including : the nature and severity of your hearing loss , your eyesight and dexterity , the size and shape of your outer ear , the types of activities you enjoy ( listening needs assessment ) and cosmetic concerns . That ’ s why getting fit with the advice and consultation of an experienced Audiologist can ’ t be overemphasized .
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR INVESTMENT The Better Hearing Institute reiterates this in their report “ The hearing aid fitting process requires complete in-person hearing assessment in a sound booth ; the training and skills of a credentialed hearing professional in order the prescriptively fit the hearing aids using sophisticated computer programs ; and appropriate in-person follow-up and counseling . This is not possible when consumers purchase one-size fits-all hearing aids over the internet or elsewhere .”
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