FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The majority of hearing losses result from aging. Other possible causes include prolonged exposure to loud noises, heredity, certain illnesses, and medications. However, the most common form of hearing loss is called “nerve deafness.” This is a result of the cochlea (inner ear) and auditory nerves not properly transmitting signals to the brain. 

One of every 12 Americans currently has some degree of hearing loss. For those aged 65 or older, the ratio is almost one in three.

While each hearing loss is unique, most people share common experiences as a consequence of their loss. Individuals affected by hearing loss often feel isolated from their surroundings, experience difficulty meeting new people or facing new surroundings, and often complain of appearing incompetent or feeling insecure.

The first step should be a professional hearing examination conducted by an otolaryngologist, audiologist or other hearing professional. This will help determine the level and type of your hearing loss. Proper treatment with either medical attention or a hearing aid will be recommended. Today’s modern technology allows many hearing losses to be corrected successfully with a hearing aid. Unfortunately, only about one-fourth of those individuals who could benefit from the use of a hearing aid, actually choose to do so.

Hearing aids treat hearing loss by receiving and amplifying sound. While there are many different types of hearing aid technology, four basic components are common to all: (1) a microphone, which receives sound and translates it into electrical impulses; (2) an amplifier, which makes electrical impulses stronger; (3) a receiver (speaker), which translates stronger impulses into louder sounds; and (4) a battery, which serves as a power source for the whole system. Hearing aids vary greatly in their styles, sizes, and levels of circuit technology. A Jones Hearing professional can help you choose the hearing aid style and circuitry that is right for your hearing loss and lifestyle.

It is true that there are several concerns sometimes mentioned by hearing aid users. Here are three of the most common:

My own voice sounds strange.

Hearing aids amplify some or all sounds. This includes the sound of your own voice. With time and use, this should become less noticeable, but if this bothers you, see a Jones Hearing professional who can address this problem.  

I have a problem with whistling sounds or feedback.

There are several common causes of this problem, all of which are easily solved. First, your hearing aid may fit too loosely. This allows the amplified sound to escape from your ear which is received by the microphone, thus resulting in feedback. Second, some feedback happens when you are standing too close to a surface that reflects sound, such as a wall. Finally, many feedback problems are simply the result of a hearing aid’s volume control being turned up too high. Most feedback problems can be easily remedied by the user.  However, if you continue to have a consistent problem with feedback, take your hearing aids to your hearing professional.

I feel pressure in my ear.

Sometimes, excess air can become trapped between your eardrum and the hearing aid. If this feeling persists, your hearing professional can alter your hearing aid to alleviate the problem.

Your hearing aid will be preset to a safe level of maximum amplification. However, keep in mind that you may have to reaccustom yourself to loud, and possibly startling sounds, as they are amplified by your hearing aid.

First, you need to understand that it is not possible for a hearing aid to completely restore your hearing. What it can do is enhance sound and thus allow you to hear better. Since hearing loss is gradual, over the years you may have become unaccustomed to normal environmental sounds such as traffic noise, the hum of a refrigerator or air conditioner, nature sounds, or background conversation. Therefore, when you begin to wear hearing aids, it is necessary to re-educate your brain to practice selective listening and learn once again to choose only those sounds that you wish to hear and ignore the rest. It is important that you wear your hearing aids as much as possible. This is the best way for you to get used to them and the way that they work. This also helps you to become more skilled at recognizing sound direction, learning what hearing aid settings work best in different situations, and using visual clues in difficult hearing environments.

Patience is the key. Your friends and family can be very helpful throughout the entire process. Encourage them to speak to you in a normal voice without over enunciating or over emphasizing their lip movements. These people can be very helpful to you as you become accustomed to your new hearing instruments. If, for some reason, you continue to find the adjustment to be difficult, your hearing professional will be happy to answer any questions which you may have and help you solve any of your hearing-related problems.

Hearing aid shells look alike, but it’s the circuit inside for which you pay. The least expensive circuits are Classes A, B, D, and H. The moderately priced hearing aids are Entry Level Digital and Basic Digital; the most expensive circuits are Advanced Digital and Premium Digital. Consider an automobile as an example. Within each body style the consumer has a choice of 4-, 6-, 8-cylinder or hybrid engines, a choice of radios, interiors and wheel covers. Although the exterior of two same-model cars may look alike, they can be priced completely differently. 

There are approximately 23 worldwide hearing aid manufacturers, each producing exceptional quality products. Which brand is right for you is determined by the results of your audiogram, your lifestyle, your cosmetic requirements and your dexterity. Your hearing professional will select the brand only after selecting the type of circuit best for your individual hearing loss as indicated by your audiogram.

The conventional Class A circuit amplifies each sound equally, whereas the other types of circuits automatically manage loud sounds and quiet sounds in different ways. The goal of non-linear and digital circuits is to deliver a natural loudness throughout your entire listening range without under-amplifying or over-amplifying the sound.