CANADA/English
Hearing loss is a common problem, affecting 3 million Canadians*. Those who suffer from it often have questions, and we’ve listened. Visit the online resources listed here and browse the questions below to learn more about hearing aids and hearing loss.
MORE HELPFUL LINKS
Find An Audiologist: Canadian Academy of Audiology
http://www.canadianaudiology.ca/consumer.html
YOUR HEARING LOSS QUESTIONS: ANSWERED
Here are some answers to common questions about hearing loss. Click on the question you’re interested in to expand it and see the answer from an audiologist.
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Q. Do all hearing aids work the same way?
A. All hearing aids have the same basic components: a microphone that picks up sound, an electronic circuit that amplifies the sound, and a receiver that transfers that sound to the inner ear.
Where hearing aids differ is in some of their specific features. Some have automatic-gain, which increases the volume automatically, and some are controlled manually. Some hearing aids use a noise-reduction technology for listening in challenging environmental situations. Consult with your hearing specialist to determine which features would benefit you the most. -
Q. How do I determine if I'm a candidate for a hearing aid?
A. The first step is to make an appointment for a hearing evaluation. Your hearing specialist will ask you about your day-to-day challenges with your hearing and your family history of hearing loss. They'll also ask about your occupation and any medications that you may be taking, as they may have contributed to your hearing loss. If a hearing instrument is an option, your specialist will discuss with you the various available technologies. You'll be given a hearing instrument for a 30-day trial period. The results from this trial will determine the benefits of the amplification and increased hearing. -
Q. How often should I have my hearing aid cleaned and checked?
A. It is suggested that you have your hearing aid cleaned and checked four times a year. There are tools and equipment that can get into places where your brush is unable to reach. -
Q. Why does my voice sound so strange to me when I'm wearing my hearing aid?
A. That is called the occlusion effect. Essentially, when your ear is occluded, or blocked by your hearing aid, it restricts the airflow through your ear, which changes how you hear yourself. Talk with your hearing specialist, as he or she may be able to make changes to the hearing instrument. -
Q. What can I do about the whistling (feedback) produced by my hearing aids?
A. Feedback can be annoying. Fortunately, there are a few different things you can do to correct it. If these don't work, contact your hearing specialist.- Properly reinsert the hearing aid.
- Verify that wax is not blocking the receiver.
- If this does not solve the problem, make an appointment with your hearing specialist.
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Q. Are there any hearing aids available to help my hearing in noisy situations?
A. Today's digital-hearing instruments have the options of multiple programs that can adapt to certain surroundings just by pressing a button, or the aid can automatically adapt to your surroundings. For example, one would add a program to your hearing aid selection if you played the violin; you would not want to compress the sound but hear the full body of the violin. If you have a digital hearing aid that allows multiple programs, contact your hearing specialist to discuss adding a program that meets all your needs. -
Q. Is there an advantage to replacing an old hearing aid, even if it is working well?
A. The advantage to replacing 11-year old hearing instruments is that the technology has changed dramatically. We are now in the age of digital hearing instruments, which can process sound at a very rapid speed. The digital signal can recognize speech from noise and compress the noise so that speech can be heard over the noise. Try testing one of the newer products out on the market, and you may be pleasantly surprised. -
Q. What is the best cell phone to get when you wear hearing aids?
A. Cell phone models vary among carriers. When you select a cell phone, ask if it is hearing aid compatible and if you can try it out in the store.
Your selection will also vary regarding the style of hearing instrument you use. If you wear behind-the-ear hearing instruments, you will be able to adapt the aids with a boot and cord that will go directly into the cell phone for better clarity. In-the-ear hearing instruments do not have the ability to have accessories attached. Again, it varies on the model of the telephone and the style of hearing instrument you use. The only challenge will be feedback, and different styles of phones will give you different results. Also, be sure to review the return policy, in case the phone does not meet your needs. -
Q. Can and should I wear hearing aids while using headphones?
A. There are accessories available for individuals wearing behind-the-ear hearing aids. These accessories attach to the aid and allow the user to connect a cord directly to the audio device, allowing for greater understanding of what you are listening to with less interference. Contact your hearing professional for more information. -
Q. How can I prevent and treat soreness caused by my hearing aid?
A. If your earmold is new and it creates sores in your ear, it is recommended that you return to your specialist immediately. They will be able to smooth down the area of the earmold that is irritating the ear. In fact, they might even have to take a new impression to have it remade. If the earmold is old or if your ear changed shape through weight loss or gain, the earmold might be too loose, in which case you should have new earmolds made. In either case, the hearing aid should not be worn until the sore is healed and the earmold situation resolved. -
Q. My ear plugs up when I wear my hearing aid, even with a new battery. Is there anything I can do?
A. You might want to check the venting size in the aid or the ear canal itself if your ear feels plugged when you wear your aid. One possibility is that you are experiencing canal closing, which can result in hearing well in the morning and difficulty hearing in the afternoon. You should contact your professional to discuss options to resolve your problem. -
Q. I have hearing loss of high-pitched sounds. Is it true that I can’t wear an in-the-ear hearing aid?
A. No, that’s not necessarily true. For some individuals, the degree of hearing loss can dictate the style of the hearing instrument needed. Usually, behind-the-ear aids have a larger microphone. Because of the power needed, an individual with severe or severe-to-profound hearing loss will typically be fitted with a behind-the-ear aid. But, Siemens® has a hearing instrument for severe loss that goes completely into the canal (CIC). Other factors, such as speech discrimination, also determine the selection of a hearing instrument. -
Q. Is there a special telephone that I should purchase that is more compatible with hearing aids?
A. There are many telephone models on the market made to assist individuals with hearing difficulties. These telephones have louder amplifiers, making the person you are talking with easier to hear, and louder ringers to alert you when you are receiving a call. -
Q. Is there a wireless device that makes it easier to hear my TV and the sound in movie theaters?
A. There are a few wireless devices on the market designed to assist in movie theaters, conference halls, and similar venues. One of the newer devices is manufactured by Sennheiser®. It communicates with hearing instruments that have Bluetooth® capabilities. With this device, you will be able to listen through your hearing instruments. The other option would be to remove your hearing instrument(s) and replace them with a headset. This all depends on the amount of hearing loss in question.
It is suggested that you speak with your hearing professional. Many professionals have the ability to test these devices in their practices. There is also information on the Web. Just visit your favorite search engine and type "TV listening devices." -
Q. Why do I sometimes experience hearing loss and gain when I remove my hearing aid?
A. Your question should be directed to an ear, nose, and throat doctor. You have what is typically called fluctuating hearing loss, and you are not alone. Some of my clients’ ear canals collapse after a few hours of wearing their hearing aids. This requires them to take off their hearing aids until the next day. This does not mean you have the same problem, so I would recommend that you call your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. -
Q. What are the different kinds of hearing loss?
A. There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss. They all have different causes and effects, but the end result is the same—you don't hear as well as you used to. -
Q. I have been experiencing a lot of ringing in my ears, what can I do to address this issue?
A. What you are experiencing is called tinnitus. It can be a ringing, buzzing, or shrill sound in the ear. Some individuals might experience it all the time and others might have it come and go. Review your current medications (prescriptions, over-the-counter items, vitamins, and other supplements) with your medical professional to find possible causes of your tinnitus. Sometimes stress levels can cause tinnitus. Certain experts believe that dietary habits might contribute to tinnitus as well. Consult an ear, nose, and throat doctor experienced in tinnitus treatment. The Tinnitus Association of Canada has a wealth of information on the Web at www.kadis.com/ta/tinnitus.htm. -
Q. What are Assistive Listening Devices?
A. Assistive Listening Devices are used to improve an individual’s function in day-to-day life. Examples of Assistive Listening Devices include an alarm clock that shakes your bed to wake you up, a smoke alarm that flashes light to alert you of a fire, or a headset to help you hear the TV without disturbing others. -
Q. What other devices are available to treat hearing loss?
A. Another device to aid hearing is a cochlear implant, which is a small, electronic device that can help provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. The implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin. -
Q. How bad does your hearing have to be to get a cochlear implant?
A. First, for those who might not know, a cochlear implant is an electronic device that is surgically implanted. Unlike a hearing aid, which amplifies sound, this implant works by stimulating the functioning nerves of the inner ear. To be a candidate for a cochlear implant, there are many variables that need to be considered. If you speak to your audiologist or ENT, they can give you information regarding the criteria and refer you to cochlear-implant recipients who you might want to talk with.
*Hearing Review, "North America."