Resources for your Hearing Loss

Hearing. For most of your life, it’s as natural as breathing. You listen without thinking. Converse with ease. Wake from sleep to the subtlest of audio cues. Yet little by little, things have changed. You realize how often you have to ask people to repeat themselves. How exhausting it’s become to attend a meeting. And how the TV is too loud for everyone but you. You still wake up and smell the coffee, but you haven’t been hearing its gentle drip – or half of what the morning FM deejay has been saying. What’s going on?

Explore the topics above, learn about hearing loss, including the importance of hearing, how to spot the signs of hearing loss, either in yourself or someone close to you, and intriguing facts and myths about hearing loss.

What does it mean to have a hearing loss?

It could mean not hearing the doorbell ring or your spouse call you from another room. It could mean missing key information in a business meeting or avoiding seeing friends for fear of being “found out.”

Hearing loss can interfere with the quality of your life, restricting your ability to interact with others, causing misunderstandings and fatigue, heightening stress and filtering out the myriad of sound experiences that give pleasure and meaning to life. And not incidentally, hearing loss can be a safety issue. What happens when you don’t hear the smoke detector?

Yet most people hesitate to act when it comes to treating a hearing loss. Part of the problem is that onset is gradual (and virtually invisible). In fact, it can take years for hearing loss to develop. Part of the problem is denial. Hearing loss may be a natural part of the aging process, but few of us want to admit to growing older.

But perhaps the biggest problem is how we view hearing loss, both as a culture and as individuals. Hearing loss has always carried something of a stigma in comparison to failing eyesight, for example—and as a society, we even tackle hair loss or impotence before hearing loss.

Fortunately, that’s changing, fueled in part by your search for knowledge at sites like this one. So, congratulations on taking a step towards making hearing loss not just another topic in the health care forum. In this section, read on to learn how to spot the signs of hearing loss, in yourself or someone close to you.

Maybe you already know you or a family member is dealing with hearing loss. Then again, it may be happening so gradually you’re not sure. Unlike many conditions, hearing loss is often hard to detect in its early stages.

The kind of signs to look for may differ based on your perspective—that is, whether you’re checking for yourself or a loved one. Click the appropriate link at left to recognize the signs of hearing loss in someone else or to evaluate your own situation.

In our culture, hearing loss has been viewed as something of a stigma. Part of the reason few people with hearing loss get help is that we simply don't talk about it. It's a sign of advancing age. Yet, like impaired vision, it is one of the most common health problems in the U.S. as well as worldwide.

Unlike impaired vision, hearing loss is often made fun of. People with hearing loss often have to deal with the perception that their intelligence or grasp on reality is unsound, simply because they don't hear something correctly.

The analogy to impaired vision is important, because hearing loss is such a similar phenomenon. The way both hearing loss and vision impairment are diagnosed (by a doctor or a technician), treated (with hardware that compensates for the loss) and dispensed (by trained clinicians, typically outside the “medical” sphere) is strikingly similar.

Yet eyeglasses are free of stigma--indeed, they're a fashion statement--while hearing instruments continue to be seen as undesirable. One reason is that people understand the physiology behind poor eyesight more clearly than that of poor hearing. Another reason is that eyeglasses have been around a lot longer. But it's only a matter of time before hearing instruments catch up.

That shift is now taking place, as an ever-younger group of people experience hearing loss and seek treatment. These changing demographics are helping to bring a very mainstream complaint into the popular dialog.

Click here to view demographic facts about who has hearing loss and why.

Click here to see common myths about hearing loss.

While hearing loss isn’t reversible, most age or noise related loss can be managed and often compensated for. Sometimes that means medication or surgery. But just as eyeglasses are used to correct most vision problems, hearing instruments are used to treat most kinds of hearing loss.

Any treatment starts with a screening of your hearing by a doctor or hearing professional. Once you know the nature and extent of the hearing loss, you’ll be able to make your own decisions about treatment.

But first, take the opportunity to educate yourself about hearing and how hearing loss occurs.

Unlike most medical tests, the tests that measure hearing ability are relatively quick and painless. An audiologist or hearing instrument specialist will probably perform 3 or 4 simple exams, which may include

These tests are performed at the hearing professional’s office and usually take less than an hour to complete. With the information from these tests, your hearing professional will be able to make an accurate assessment of your hearing capabilities and advise you of all your treatment options. In most cases, this means hearing instruments. If a medical problem is found, your hearing professional will refer you to a physician for next steps.

Your doctor may screen for hearing loss as part of a regular physical, but many do not. If you suspect a hearing loss, you can go to one of three types of professionals: a family physician or general practitioner, an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, or a hearing professional.

A GP or ENT can determine if there is a medical condition causing the hearing loss, or whether medical treatment, such as surgery, could be helpful. If not, your doctor will probably refer you to a hearing professional.

Hearing professionals include audiologists and hearing instrument specialists.

Audiologists are professionals with a Master’s degree in audiology, the study of hearing. They specialize in testing, evaluating and treating hearing loss. An audiologist may also fit hearing instruments.

A hearing instrument specialist is trained in fitting and dispensing hearing instruments. Hearing instrument specialists are often state-licensed and board-certified to test for hearing loss and to fit consumers for hearing instruments.

“Hearing instruments changed my life.”

“Hearing instruments don’t work – period.”

No matter what you’ve heard about hearing instruments, none of it matters until your own ears are in question. Then, nothing is more interesting than learning all there is to know about these emotionally and electronically loaded little devices: the aesthetics, the size, the microchips, the bells, the whistles, the possibilities, the costs, the success stories.

In this section, we’ll try to give you the reality: the information you need to consider and what you can really expect if you choose to wear hearing instruments.

Every hearing instrument is a miniature conglomeration of electronic circuitry encased in plastic. Every hearing instrument has these parts: a microphone that picks up sound, an amplifier to boost the sound, and a receiver that delivers the amplified sound into the ear. All are powered by tiny replaceable batteries.

Any hearing instrument you buy should help to compensate for your hearing loss and be comfortable to wear. Equally important is the attitude and commitment of the wearer—whether that’s you or someone close to you. It takes time and dedication to get the best possible result from any hearing instrument.

Fortunately, you can try hearing instruments without fear—there’s a mandated trial period of a minimum of 30 days in the U.S. (it varies by state) so you can be sure that your new instruments meet your criteria.

There are many makes of hearing instruments, and many models from each manufacturer. What’s important is to find the best solution for your listening requirements.

What should you think about in buying hearing instruments? Following is a list of seven factors to consider. All other things aside, your hearing instrument must be a good match for your loss characteristics, fit comfortably and be adjustable, either manually, by you, or automatically. Read through these factors and make some notes as to your priorities so you can discuss them with your hearing professional.

Loss Characteristics
The nature and severity of your hearing loss will play a large role in determining which hearing instruments are ultimately recommended to you. Your hearing professional can help you understand your unique loss characteristics, and explain the models that would best suit your needs.

Lifestyle
Consider your life, work, free-time activities. What are the things you do that are most affected by hearing loss? What are the things, if any, that you’re not able to do because of a hearing loss? Define your needs and set priorities. Your job may also be a factor. If you work outdoors in the elements or travel frequently, and are concerned about a hearing instrument’s durability, you may want to consider a back-up instrument.

Technology
Sound quality is perhaps the most important consideration—it’s why you’re even considering purchasing hearing instruments, after all. Not every technological advance benefits every hearing loss, and it’s safe to say that even basic hearing instruments can deliver appropriate sound quality. Consult your hearing professional—he or she will help you assess the level of sophistication you need based on a range of issues.

Handling
The smallest hearing instruments are the most discreet, but they are, well, small. If your eyesight or dexterity are less than what they used to be, size may indeed matter. Alternatively, some new instruments adjust automatically or via remote control. Your hearing professional will instruct you as to your best choices.

Appearance
Hearing instruments come in a variety of sizes, from tiny, completely-in-the-canal models to those that sit behind the ear. Many people are overly concerned about appearance, and it’s wise to remember that others will be far less aware of your instrument than you. Most hearing instruments are quite discreet. Keep in mind that hairstyle can also play a role.

Physiology
Physical factors can also influence your selection of a hearing instrument. The shape and size of the outer ear and ear canal can make it difficult for some people to wear particular styles. For example, if your canal is extremely narrow, in-the-canal instruments may not work for you. Your hearing professional will help determine which hearing instrument options are appropriate for you.

One Ear or Two?
Two ears are better than one, since binaural, or two-ear hearing, is what helps us determine where sounds are coming from, and to distinguish between competing sounds more easily. If you have a hearing loss in only one ear, you may be fine with one hearing instrument. Age- and noise-related hearing loss tend to affect both ears, but your hearing profile for each ear is probably different. If there is a loss in both ears, then you will benefit more with a binaural approach. In addition, some of the benefits of digital technology require two hearing instruments.

Today, about two-thirds of new purchasers opt for dual hearing instruments, and as a group, they report a higher level of satisfaction than purchasers of a single instrument. Discuss the pros and cons with your hearing professional.

Improving your hearing and adding to your quality of life is hard to put a price tag on.

While it might seem odd, it’s not really what’s inside the piece of plastic that you’re paying for—it’s how well the hearing instrument improves your quality of life. The real value is what it’s worth to be able to fully engage in your relationships, work and the activities you enjoy.

You may also want to think about what you value most in terms of a hearing instrument’s features and benefits. How important is vanity? How important is the latest technology? The equation of price will depend somewhat on your priorities—and it’s different for everyone.

Hearing instruments generally run from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, and pricing varies between hearing professionals. Typically, costs reflect the amount of research and development that has gone into the product as well as quality of the components, with the smallest, most technologically advanced instruments at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. However, you can also get hearing instruments that provide a good benefit in a modest price range.

Some people put on a hearing instrument and hear better right away. For most, there is more of an adjustment period. The single most important factor in the process is the attitude and commitment of the wearer—and the development of realistic expectations.

Just as if you had a knee replacement or other medical procedure, you can expect to go through a period of rehabilitation, followed by adjustment to your new circumstances. You can also expect that this will take some time. You’ll need both a willingness to go through that process, as well as the patience to re-learn a new way of hearing.

Part of that re-learning is recognizing that hearing instruments won’t replicate the way you used to hear, nor will they restore or prevent further loss. Most people gain significant improvement in their sense of hearing with hearing instruments, though it is a gradual process that can and will take some time.

Digital technology’s superiority over traditional analog hearing instruments isn’t just what it can do with sounds, but how much better it does it.

By converting the incoming signals into computerized ‘bits,’ they can be processed, or manipulated extremely fast and efficiently in many complex ways using mathematical formulas known as algorithms. This gives digital signal processors (DSP) tremendous speed and agility to recognize sound’s key ingredients.

Like a graphic equalizer in high-end audio systems, algorithms can continually divide sounds into frequency channels. These help preserve and emphasize the higher frequencies containing vital consonant sounds in speech – the “c” and “t” sounds in “cat” – over the distracting rumble of low frequency noise.

Algorithms also manage noise by its duration. While speech sounds’ intensity can change radically in a millisecond, noise is more acoustically stable over a comparatively longer time. Using time, DSP precisely reduces the levels of continuous sounds like traffic noise and household appliances. And it instantaneously readjusts when changes occur, restoring amplification when shorter duration sounds are detected.

That same sensitivity is also useful in quiet surroundings. Utilizing an audio technique called expansion, the digital algorithm senses the consistency of softer environmental sounds from ventilation systems and appliances.

It automatically reduces amplification in the appropriate frequency range, immediately restoring proper levels when the sound pattern changes.

Digital algorithms can also minimize and eliminate the onset of feedback, a common nemesis to hearing instrument use. Within its elaborate frequency channel network, the algorithm detects the elements of feedback before they become audible. It then reduces levels in just those discreet channels, with no noticeable effect on perceived volume levels.

The precision and flexibility of digital technology also gives your hearing professional the ability to more accurately tailor your amplification for the best possible match to your listening and lifestyle needs. This process may include subsequent visits to ensure that you are receiving maximum benefit from your instruments.

In order to determine if the many advantages of digital hearing technology might benefit you, complete testing and evaluation are necessary.

How do I know if I really need a hearing aid?

How long is the hearing aid trial period? When does the trial period begin?

Is there a cancellation fee? How much?

Is there a particular size of hearing aid (a completely in the canal hearing aid versus a behind the hear hearing aid) that would work better for me?