Hearing Aids Types

Protect Your Ears:

Know which noises can cause damage. Wear ear plugs when you are involved in a loud activity.

110 Decibels

Regular exposure of more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss.
100 Decibels

No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure recommended.

85 Decibels

Prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss.

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Hearing Loss: It occurs due to daily exposure to excessive noise in the work place, by continous receiving of phone calls , listening music in large volume, all the time using the earphone etc. It can be by birth or due to exposure to the noisy environment. One can get hearing loss problem on one ear only or in both the ears. Hearing loss can lead to deafness.

Hearing Aid: Hearing aid is a small electronic device that can be wore either in or behind the ear.It makes the sounds a bit louder so that after wearing a person can participate in daily activities.It can help people in both quiet and noisy situations. It consists of three parts: a microphone, amplifier and a speaker.The amplifier increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker.

It’s frustrating to be unable to hear well enough to enjoy talking with friends or family. Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. They can often be helped. Deafness can keep you from hearing sound at all.

What causes hearing loss? Some possibilities are

* Heredity
* Diseases such as ear infections and meningitis
* Trauma
* Certain medicines
* Long-term exposure to loud noise
* Aging

There are two main types of hearing loss. One happens when your inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. This type is permanent. The other kind happens when sound waves cannot reach your inner ear. Earwax build-up, fluid or a punctured eardrum can cause it. Untreated, hearing problems can get worse. If you have trouble hearing, you can get help. Possible treatments include hearing aids, special training, certain medicines and surgery.

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Hearing loss happens for many reasons. Some people lose their hearing slowly as they age. This condition is called presbycusis. Doctors do not know why presbycusis happens, but it seems to run in families.

Another cause is the ear infection otitis media, which can lead to long-term hearing loss if it is not treated.

If earwax blockage is a problem for you, ear, nose, and throat doctors recommend using mild treatments such as mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial ear drops to soften earwax. If you suspect that you may have a hole in your eardrum, however, you should consult a doctor before using such products.

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

If you take medication, ask your doctor if your medicine is ototoxic, or damaging to the ear. Ask if other drugs can be used instead. If not, ask if the dose can be safely reduced. Sometimes it cannot. However your doctor will help you get the medicine you need while trying to reduce unwanted side effects.

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

If the hearing loss is conductive, such as earwax blockage, hearing can usually be restored. If the hearing loss is sensorineural, parts of the inner ear or auditory nerve are damaged. Hearing loss of this type is permanent.

The effects of noise-induced hearing loss may be temporary or permanent, depending on the intensity and duration of the exposure. Ototoxic drugs are medicines that damage the inner ear. Sometimes the damage lasts only as long as you take the drug; other times it is permanent.

Even if you have lost some hearing, it is important to protect the hearing that remains. Unfortunately, a person who has experienced hearing loss might work in a woodshop or other noisy place without hearing protection. This action can lead to further damage to the inner ear.

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

Washing your hands frequently can help prevent an ear infection called otitis media that can cause long-term hearing loss. Also, get a flu shot every year to stave off respiratory infections. If you still get an ear infection, see a doctor immediately before it becomes more serious.

Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable. You can protect your hearing by paying attention to noises above 85 decibels in loudness, which can damage your ears. These include lawnmowers, snowblowers, motorcycles, firecrackers, and loud music.

Lower the volume on portable stereos and televisions. When you are involved in a loud activity, wear earplugs or other hearing protective devices. Be sure to protect children as well. Also, steer clear of loud noises that are too close or that last too long.

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Not all inherited forms of hearing loss take place at birth, however. Some forms can show up later in life. In otosclerosis, which is thought to be a hereditary disease, an abnormal growth of bone prevents structures within the ear from working properly.

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders