FAQs About Hearing Aids

For better hearing and a better quality of life, hearing aids are invaluable. If you need to wear a hearing device, this should be something you take into consideration. Your ability to hear will be improved and you will be able to live a life that isn't hindered by your hearing loss. 

Many people new to hearing aids often ask the same questions of their audiologists. If you have questions, you should speak to your audiologist too. However, you might also find the answer you're looking for below.

How do hearing aids work?

Hearing aids have three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier and speaker. The hearing aid receives sound through the microphone which converts the sound waves into a digital signal that is sent to the amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signal and produces the amplified sound into the ear through the speaker. 

Which hearing aid is right for me?

This depends on your personal needs and preferences. If you have profound hearing loss and need a more powerful hearing aid, your audiologist might recommend a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid to you. If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, it might be that an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid is the best option for your needs. And if visibility is important to you, an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid could be your preferred choice. There are pros and cons to each, and your audiologist will discuss these with you. 

Are hearing aids difficult to maintain?

Hearing aids are relatively easy to take care of although your audiologist will give you advice if you need extra help and support. Moisture and earwax are the reasons why hearing aids often need to be repaired but you can deal with both by purchasing a cleaning and drying kit. The kit will contain the tools needed to clean each part of your hearing aid. And by putting your hearing aid in the kit at night, you will remove the moisture that could damage the inner workings of your device. 

What challenges can I expect when wearing a hearing aid?

It's far better to wear a hearing aid than not wear one, despite the challenges you might encounter. One such challenge will be the way your brain adapts to sounds when you first wear your device. Sounds can appear unnatural and startlingly loud at first, although this is something your brain will adapt to. 

Another challenge is getting used to the settings on your device. Your audiologist will help you with these and you will get used to them fairly quickly. There are other challenges but as with any new piece of kit you might purchase, you will get used to your hearing device eventually. 

What hearing aid features do I need?

Hearing aids come with a variety of features, some of which are included on the device as standard and some of which are optional. These can include directional microphones, wireless connectivity and noise reduction technologies. Your audiologist will discuss these with you when determining which hearing aid is right for you.