Correcting Hearing Loss

Why should I correct a hearing loss?

Hearing is an essential to your quality of life. Helen Keller said that 'loss of vision means losing contact with things, but loss of

hearing means losing contact with people'. A hearing loss influences the interaction between family and friends causing communication

barriers between people who love and need one another. Anxiety, insecurity, isolation, and depression can affect those who do not hear

well. Scientific studies indicate that the negative psychological changes due to untreated hearing loss may be reversed by hearing aid use.

Why do people refuse help for hearing loss?
Denial or minimizing a hearing loss frequently occurs, because people incorrectly associate it with aging and disability. Some are

apprehensive about the challenge of learning how to use and insert a sophisticated, miniature electronic device. Others may feel shame and

embarrassment about wearing a hearing instrument.

Where should I go for hearing help?
A full range of testing, evaluation, and hearing aid fitting as well as after-sale counseling is available locally ,or contact your local

hearing health care professional. You may also look in your local Yellow Pages under "Audiologists" or "Hearing Aids,"

What is the cost of a hearing aid and professional fees?
Typically, the price of hearing aids includes all professional fees for testing, ear impressions, and home visits. Each hearing aid ranges

in cost from £300 to £2,000 depending on the type of components and the style of instrument. A deposit of up to half the total may be

required at the outset, and the balance can be financed with a payment plan.

Is there a trial period for a hearing aid?
Most hearing care providers offer a trial period for you to determine the value and benefits of your hearing aids. HDHS offer a minimum 30

day money back acceptance period, which may be extended, and will be specified on your order form or in writing.

What other consumer protections are available?
Studies confirm that over 90 percent of all consumers are satisfied with the service of the hearing care providers they have selected.

Hampshire Direct Hearing is dedicated to your hearing and communication needs. We encourage you to be an informed consumer by inquiring

about:

Qualifications of your hearing care provider including years of professional experience
Location and costs of after-sale services
The warranty period and what the warranty covers
Terms of the transaction, right of return, and professional services that are included -- all of which should be in writing
Successful hearing aid experiences of your friends

Should I get two hearing aids or one?
You should discuss the benefit of two hearing aids (binaural fitting). Approximately 65 percent of all new hearing aid fittings are

binaural. Clinical studies have shown the binaural hearing aids enhance satisfaction and provide better overall hearing in more difficult

listening situations such as small and large groups, outdoor environments, and in cars. See also: One or Two

What can I expect from my hearing aids?
Be realistic. Hearing aids will not "cure" hearing loss any more than eyeglasses will "cure" vision deficiencies; however, hearing aids may

provide many benefits, enable people to hear better and assist you in hearing sounds more clearly. Practice and patience in consultation

with your hearing care provider are the keys to success. Remember: your hearing, like your vision, can and does change over time. Your

hearing care provider can help you to monitor and adapt your hearing aids to these changes. See also: How to get the most from your

hearing instrument

How long do hearing aid batteries last?
Unlike watch batteries, hearing aid batteries typically last from four days to four weeks. We will provide you with an estimate of battery

life for your model and use pattern from the manufacturers specification sheets or technical data. The factors that affect battery life

are: how long the person wears the hearing aid each day, what type of circuit is in the hearing aid, and if the person opens the battery

door when it is not in use. Special Note: Store your hearing aid batteries in a cool, dry place to prolong their shelf life. Do not store

them in the refrigerator.

Does a hearing aid make your hearing decrease faster than without?
No. Hearing aids simply bring the level of loudness within a comfortable range for you. Noise exposure does make your hearing worse, but

your hearing aid should never be prescribed loud enough to cause damage due to noise. It is postulated that hearing aids may help preserve

the ability to understand speech because they allow the sensory cells in the inner ear to stay active.

Does a hearing aid help in background noise?
There have been claims that hearing aids can eliminate background noise and amplify only the sounds you want to hear. The new 100% digital

hearing aids do the best job in minimizing background noise; however, hearing aids cannot remove background noise. The newest hearing aid

technology contains a 100% digital circuit which measures and reduces "noise-like" sound with a series of mathematical computations. The

digital hearing aids process sound almost instantaneously, a feat hearing aids have never before been able to accomplish. This processing

ability allows for the best hearing improvement when background noise is present. If you tried hearing aids and could not adapt due to the

overwhelming amplification of background noise, you will find the digital hearing aid a major breakthrough in hearing aid technology.

How do I know if I have a hearing loss?
This question can be answered with a series of questions:

Do you often ask others to repeat themselves?
Is it especially difficult to understand conversation in a restaurant, group situation, or when there is background noise?
Do you hear conversation but have difficulty understanding the words?
Has your spouse or a friend ever told you that you don't hear well?
Do you turn up the radio or TV louder than others prefer?
Do you find yourself ignoring sounds when not facing their source?
Do you feel frustration with friends and family when you cannot hear them?
Do you hear some people more clearly than others?
Are you withdrawing more from contact with friends and family?
Do you turn one ear toward a speaker in order to hear better?
If you answered "Yes" to one or more of these questions, you may have a hearing impairment and it would be wise to get your hearing checked

as soon as possible.

How do I know if I am a candidate for the tiny, almost invisible, hearing aids?
We will determine if your hearing loss and the size and shape of your ear canal will accommodate the tiny, almost invisible hearing

instrument. The advantages of the tiny hearing aids include better telephone compatibility, less outdoor wind noise and the obvious

cosmetic appeal. The disadvantages are shorter battery life (approximately one week versus two weeks for bigger hearing aids) and a

slightly higher cost than their larger counterparts.

Do hearing aids need to be repaired often?
Hearing aids are fragile instruments that need daily maintenance. It is not unusual for a hearing aid to be sent to the original

manufacturer for repair or service. The majority of hearing aid repairs are caused by ear wax and moisture. You will receive instruction

and cleaning supplies to keep your hearing instruments in good working condition to help reduce the number of repairs.

How often do you have to replace hearing aids?
The life span of a hearing aid depends on many factors. A conservative life span estimation is outlined below based on the level of

technology and the manufacturer recommendations.

Type of technology Years
Conventional-Analog three to five
Computer Programmable five to seven
100% Digital five to fifteen

Of course how well the instruments are taken care of is an important indicator of how many successful years you will receive from the aids.

If hearing aids are protected from ear wax and moisture damage, they may last even longer than the above estimates.

Will a hearing aid help with the telephone?
A hearing aid will help with telephone if a few prerequisites are completed first. If telephone use is a high priority for you when trying

amplification, a telecoil may be added to the hearing aid. The telecoil insures the hearing aid will not whistle while using a compatible

telephone. The hearing aid when properly fitted and with instruction, should not whistle or distort when using the telephone.

My ears ring all the time. Is there anything that can be done?
Tinnitus is the name given to the head noises that some people experience. There are several reasons why we may have tinnitus. If a

hearing impairment accompanies the tinnitus, the best form of alleviation may be a hearing aid. When the sounds around you are restored to

their normal loudness levels with a hearing aid, the tinnitus tends to fall into the background and become more manageable. The tinnitus

returns when the aids are taken out, however, one may experience considerable relief during the wearable hours. There are also "tinnitus

maskers" which are often used when trying to sleep. The masker is tuned to match the tonal quality and pitch of the ringing, which blocks

or "masks" the tinnitus. There are also instruments that look like hearing aids which "mask" the tinnitus; you may wear these devices all

day. Counseling is the cornerstone for all tinnitus sufferers. The lack of control one has over the ringing, and the annoyance and

distraction that come along with it can cause depression, anxiety, and/or insomnia. Counseling allows tinnitus sufferers to realize that

they are not alone, and helps them find healthy ways to live with it.

N.B. If you have recently started suffering from 'Tinnitus' it would be advisable to contact your Doctor first. Under the 'Code ofPractice' of the Hearing Aid Council, Tinnitus is a referable condition and a professional Audiologist would refer you to your Doctor ifyou have not already sought his advice.

Do you sleep in hearing aids?
No, one should not sleep with their hearing aids in their ears. Taking the aids out allows the moisture to evaporate. Moisture within thehearing aid could cause electrical "shorts" within the circuitry, leading to an increased number of repairs. In addition, the outer ear maybecome irritated or even infected if it is not allowed to breathe. If hearing the alarm, the phone, or the doorbell is a concern, there arealerting devices that may supplement the hearing instruments.

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