Archive for August, 2009

Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids Ratings talks about the types of hearing aids. Some of the Best Hearing Aids Brands are Beltone, Starkey, Phonak and Siemens. The hearing aid  is a device that is worn behind or fits in the wearer’s ear which helps to make sound more audible for the wearer. Typically, hearing aids are designed to amplify and deliver quality sound to the ears. Hearing aids are used to help people who have hearing problems. People with hearing problems are usually as a results of damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear. This is called sensorineural hearing loss and due to disease, aging, or injury from loud noise and even medications. By using hearing aids, people are able to hear and communicate better with other people. This aids to facilitate people to continue and participate in their everyday  activities with minimum difficulties. Most hearing aids can even help people hear better than normal people in certain environments.

What are the basic components to a hearing aid? It consists of three basic functional parts: a microphone, a amplifier and a speaker. The microphone will receive the surrounding sound and convert the sound into electronics impulse. The amplifier will increase the strength of the impulse and send this to the speaker. The speaker will produce the amplified sound to the ear. Of course there are other important components like the switch, program and the electronics. The switch for on and off button for the hearing aid. Electronics in the hearing aid that does the processing of the electronics impulse. The electronics can also do an analysis on the sound received. Next the electronics will do some cleaning and filtering of this information and process the impulse to the optimal for the wearer. The program switch is used to suit different environments to produce the best results for the wearer.

How do you know that you will need a hearing aid? When you feel that you are experiencing hearing difficulties, you can approach an audiologist for assistance. Audiologist will be able to identify the causes of your hearing loss. They will be able to advise on the extend of this problem and how to improve on your hearing capabilities. There are also some simple online self testing tools by various hearing aids companies like Siemens Hearing Instruments.

There are different types of hearing aids, mainly Behind-the-ear, In-the-ear and Canal types. These types are different in sizes, shapes and power.

Behind-the-ear is also known as BTE. BTE consist of two parts, one hard plastic case worn behind the ear and another soft earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The hard plastic case contains the electronics parts and also receive the sound from the surroundings. Inside the electronics, it does all the analysis and conversion. Then it will produced the amplified sound to the earmold to the ear. BTE can be used by all people to people with extreme earing problems.

In-the-ear is known as ITE in short. As meant by the name, this type of hearing aids fits completely inside the outer ear. Usually this type of hearing aids are for middle range hearing loss. This type contains all the electroncis inside the hard plastic case. This type does the receiving, processing and output of the sound to the ear.  This hearing aid is less visible than the Behind-the-ear type. As it is inside the outer ear, it is convenient especially talking over a phone. However this type may not be suitable for kids as their ears will grow and the shape will change. As such, the ITE will not fit well into the outer ear.

Lastly the smallest of all is the Canal aid. This type is the smallest and almost invisible. Usually for mild hearing loss only. This is due to the limited size and power that it can produce. Also because of the size, there is no much space for bigger batteries and complex components. On the other end, canal aid is the most esthetics among the rest.