do you hear what i hear the beauty of hearing aids
TRANSCRIPT
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? :
THE BEAUTY OF HEARING AIDS
For the more than 20 million Americans with hearing problems, life can be full of
missed opportunities. Friends and families often get tired of raising their voices and adapting
to the problem. This can make a lonely place for the hearing-impaired. Luckily, hearing aids
— small electronic devices that amplifies sound — can help the hearing-impaired people hear
better.
Audiologists from Los Angeles to New York know that not everyone who needs hearing
aids wears them. In fact, one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid do not
actually wear them. And to gain a better understanding of this assistive device, here’s what’s
to know.
Aids with hearing
Hearing aids are electronic
devices that fit inside or behind
the ear and helps amplify sounds
from the outside. Hearing aids
are helpful, but no matter how
technically advanced, they do not
restore normal hearing, except in
some very mild hearing losses.
Choosing the right aid
Whether you’re getting the analog or digital version, or the adjustable over
programmable type, you and your audiologist should first determine if a hearing aid is the
right device for your type of hearing loss. Pacific Specialists and other specialized doctors
need to find out first if your hearing problem can benefit from a hearing aid or not.
And before any purchase, ask if the warranty covers repairs and if there is a free trial
period to try it out.
Adjusting to your device
Adjusting to a hearing aid is a gradual process. It involves adjusting and learning to
listen in different environments and becoming accustomed to hearing different sounds at
different levels.
As such, your own voice
may sound too loud. You may
also hear a whistling sound or
feedback. This is often due to
the fit of the hearing aid or
because of earwax or fluid
buildup. See your audiologist for
any concerns.
Hearing is living, and
thanks to today’s digital
technology, people with hearing
problems are living life much
better.
Eye and Ear specialists,
like Pacific Specialists, provide
more resources on hearing aids
and their proper use.