Digital Hearing Aids Against Problems
It's no secret that hearing loss is a serious problem. It can impact your general quality of life, disrupt communication with friends and loved ones, and even put you at an increased risk for accidents, depression, social isolation and dementia. Fortunately, there are lots of solutions that can help preserve your hearing — both traditional (traditional) hearing aids as well as digital aids.
Traditional aids use mechanical or ink jet technology to amplify sound signals before sending them through the ear canal to the eardrum. Digital aids work differently: They first transform sounds into electric signals without amplifying them. They then send these signals to the cochlea, or inner ear, where they are processed as normal. This technology has a number of advantages over traditional-style hearing aids – and it's also something you should consider if you have hearing loss or tinnitus.
Digital technology has transformed the world of hearing aids. It all begins with sound: You'll need to have your hearing tested by a professional to determine what kind of loss you have and where in your ear it originates (there's more than one type of hearing loss, and some types are more difficult to treat). Once your hearing loss has been diagnosed, a hearing professional can determine which type of digital technology is best for you.
Different Types of Digital Hearing Aids
Digital ear implants are the most advanced form of digital hearing aid and are considered the ultimate treatment for significant damage to one or both ears. They consist of a small microphone which captures sounds and sends them to an electronic unit that processes the sound before sending it to an internal receiver. Effectively, this tiny receiver becomes an implanted part of a person's body. An external wire then sends these sounds to an implant in the ear.
Because they are surgically implanted, digital ear implants must be surgically removed and replaced. Another downside of this technology is that it may not provide a hearing solution for treatment of tinnitus – but some patients have found relief in combining their implant with other technologies.
Cochlear implants are similar to traditional hearing aids insofar as they pound sounds into the eardrum. However, the sounds never enter the middle or inner ear so you don't need to worry about decibels that can damage your ears over time. Instead, a microphone captures sound, which is then amplified by an external device before being transmitted directly to the auditory nerve. An internal component (the cochlea implant) is surgically inserted into the cochlea, where it produces fluid that stimulates the nerve. While these implants require an external device to work, they are much smaller than ear implants and do not need to be replaced as often. They are also capable of treating tinnitus.
Receiver-in-canal devices (RICDs) are another option for digital technology and may appeal to those who have suffered severe hearing loss in both ears. These miniaturized hearing aids use a tiny microphone that is placed just behind the ear. The microphone is connected to a miniature digital processor, which converts sound into electrical signals. These signals get translated into sounds before they are sent to the inner ear. One benefit of RICD technology is that it's much more comfortable than ear implants.
Sound quality isn't very different from traditional technology: The same type of sound processor and battery can be used in both types of hearing aids, although the benefits aren't as dramatic with RICDs. In most cases, the user still needs to manually adjust traditional hearing aids or switch on digital devices; this may not be possible for RICDs, though some models can automatically switch to digital mode when necessary.
Some digital hearing aids also provide the most effective treatment for tinnitus. For example, many of the new digital options boast a virtual sound system that can be used to treat symptoms of tinnitus, such as hyperacusis, a perception that noise is much louder than it actually is (a common cause). These devices are generally very effective in treating this condition — and there are plenty of products available that can treat more than just tinnitus.
Other forms of digital technology for hearing aids include bionic ear implants in both ears; cochlear implants; directional acoustic microphones (DAM) and interactive auditory assistance systems (I-HATS).
Hearing Aids for Children and Seniors
If you're a parent, it's important to be aware of the different types of hearing aids for children and seniors, as well as their pros and cons. The first thing to consider is the type of hearing loss. For kids with conductive hearing loss (CHL), you need an amplifier for a traditional hearing aid that pushes sound through the ear canal and into the eardrum. For kids with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), you'll need a digital version that goes directly into your ear canal. If your child has tinnitus, she might find relief by combining her hearing aids with other technologies (such as bionic ear implants and cochlear implants).
If your child is struggling with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), it may be wise to invest in a pair of multichannel hearing aids to reduce noise and focus on sounds that matter. There are also a number of hearing aid accessories like FM systems and open fit styles that can be combined with most digital hearing aids.
Seniors, who often suffer from age-related tinnitus or high-frequency loss, should consider digital technologies for their hearing aids as well.
When Should I Consider Hearing Aids?
There are a variety of reasons why you might benefit from wearing hearing aids, including:
Recognizing someone's voice or other communication cues . The chance that you'll mishear someone's voice or a familiar sound increases as your hearing declines. A hearing aid allows you to maintain your ability to recognize voices and other sounds — even in noisy environments.
. The chance that you'll mishear someone's voice or a familiar sound increases as your hearing declines. A hearing aid allows you to maintain your ability to recognize voices and other sounds — even in noisy environments. Staying alert . Many seniors have trouble focusing because of their difficult-to-control hearing loss, which can affect their ability to discern effective and relevant information. Hearing aids can help improve focus.
. Many seniors have trouble focusing because of their difficult-to-control hearing loss, which can affect their ability to discern effective and relevant information. Hearing aids can help improve focus. Being more independent . Deafness and hearing loss can make simple every day tasks difficult, making it hard to be self-sufficient and interact with others. Fortunately, today's digital hearing aids make it easier than ever to hear the things you need to hear while reducing background noise so you're able to stay independent.
. Deafness and hearing loss can make simple every day tasks difficult, making it hard to be self-sufficient and interact with others.
Conclusion
Finding the right hearing aid is a personal decision, but new technology has made this process easier than ever before. As you evaluate your options keep in mind that a hearing aid is not a cure or a solution to your hearing loss — it's just another tool to help you live with it.
It's also important to remember that not all hearing aids are created equally. It's important to work with someone who will give you an honest evaluation of the treatment options and explain what each device can and cannot do for you. It can be hard for many people with hearing loss, including seniors, to make decisions about their health care without accurate information from their doctor or audiologist.