F. A. Q
1.What is a hearing aid?
A hearing aid is an electronic device that can receive and amplify incoming sounds for people with hearing impairment to aim for better sound understanding through proper amplification.
2. What are the different types of hearing loss?
Different types of hearing aids look different.
One of the most important choices you must make while shopping for hearing aids is the style you want to wear.
There are three main hearing aid styles — behind-the-ear, in-the-ear and in-the-canal.
Behind-the-Ear Hearing aids (BTE)
BTE aids are connected to the custom earpiece place inside the ear canal through a clear plastic audible tube. These are suitable for almost all ages, from an elderly person to a child. They include the speaker and microphone behind or on top of the outer ear, with tubing that routes sounds down into the ear. These types are easily adjustable and have simple buttons to control volume and change program settings that suit your surroundings.
In The Ear Hearing aids (ITE)
Full Shell or In The Ear comfortably fit in external ear and is suitable for all type of hearing loss. These devices can be equipped with external switches and directional microphones and have the largest battery life. They are larger than the ITC and CIC aids and cover the outer area of the ear. Its convenient controls make it an appropriate choice for people of all ages, younger generation in particular.
In The Canal (ITC)
ITC is visibly larger in size than IIC and CIC and even have longer battery life. They are fitted partly or completely into the ear canal. They have an upper hand features like directional microphones. They tend to work better in noisy places and are lightweight, medium size hence easy to insert & remove.
3. Will others notice that I’m wearing hearing aids?
Some hearing aids (such as ITE hearing adis)are virtually invisible when you wear them, while other design(such as BTE hearing aids) will not hide.
4. How long will I get used to wearing hearing aids?
It’s only reasonable to expect that hearing properly with your new hearing aids will take some getting used to. This adjustment period varies for different people and can range from just a few days to a few months.
5. How do I take care of my hearing aid?
Hearing aids need to be kept dry. Methods for cleaning hearing aids vary depending on the style and shape. Other tips for taking care of hearing aids include:
- Keep the hearing aids away from heat.
- Batteries should be replaced on a regular basis.
- Avoid the use of hairspray and other hair products when the hearing aid is in place.
6. How do I wear a hearing aid?
Once the hearing aids have been fitted for the ears, the individual should begin to gradually wear the hearing aid. Because hearing aids do not restore normal hearing, it may take time to get used to the different sounds transmitted by the device. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends the following when beginning to wear hearing aids:
- Be patient and give yourself time to get used to the hearing aid and the sound it produces.
- Start in quiet surroundings and gradually build up to noisier environments.
- Experiment where and when the hearing aid works best for you.
- Keep a record of any questions and concerns you have, and bring those to your follow-up examination.
7. Do I need two hearing aids?
If you have hearing loss in both ears, in most cases two hearing aids are the best choice for optimal access to hearing. You will be able to hear better in noisy situations and you will be better able to tell where the sounds came from with two hearing aids. Your audiologist can explain the best solution for your personal hearing needs.
8. What is an Earmold?
New earmolds need to be made as you grow, sometimes as often as you change a shoe size! The audiologist uses a material to take an impression of your outer ear and ear canal to make an earmold. Earmolds must fit tightly into the ear or the amplified sound will leak out of the ear and go back into the hearing aid and cause feedback or a whistling sound.
9. How to clean in-the-ear hearing aids？
1） Take the hearing aid out of your ear.
2） With the hearing aid facing downward, brush the microphone receiver, cover and vent openings to remove debris or wax.
3） If there is wax or debris that cannot be removed by the brush, use the wax pick or wire loop.
4） Slide the vent cleaner from the vent opening on one side of the hearing aid into the opening on the other side. Wipe the wax and debris off the vent cleaner with the cloth before reversing the motion and pulling the vent cleaner back out of the hearing aid.
5） Brush off the wax filter to remove wax and debris.
6） Wipe down the entire hearing aid with a cloth.
7） Do not use chemical wipes, water or alcohol to clean an in-the-ear hearing aid.
10. How to change the volume of a phone call with my hearing aids?
Using your hearing aids there are 2 ways to change the volume of a phone call:
1. Using the volume buttons on your mobile phone.
2. If your hearing aids were configured accordingly by your hearing care professional you may also use the hearing aid multi-function button:
- To make the volume louder, use the upper push button
- To make the volume softer, use the lower push button
For further questions regarding your volume preferences, check the printed hearing aid settings received after your fitting, or contact your hearing care professional.