Bella Vista Hearing Center

Hearing Aids

The Best Hearing Aid
How Does Your Hearing Aid Suit You?
Types of Hearing Aids
Comparison of Hearing Aid Technologies
Binaural Hearing
Living With Your Hearing Aids
Hearing Aid Accessories
Hearing Aid Batteries
Battery Hotline

The Best Hearing Aid

There is no one hearing aid that is considered the "best". What works well for your spouse or friend may be inadequate for your needs.

First, a complete hearing evaluation will reveal the degree and type of hearing loss, your ability to understand speech in quiet and in the presence of noise and your ability to tolerate louder sounds.

Next, your lifestyle and expectations for your hearing are reviewed. Are you active? Are you on the telephone quite frequently? Have you ever worn hearing aids before? Are there any physical limitations? Sometimes the amount of hearing loss and ear size or shape will dictate the style of aid required. Your dexterity in picking up small objects may also be a factor.

Finally, are there any financial concerns? Generally, the smaller the hearing aid and the more sophisticated the circuit, the more expensive the hearing aid will be.

You should select hearing aids based on the knowledge of the audiologist and then choose a system you will be comfortable wearing and which also fits into your budget. The full potential of even the most sophisticated hearing aids often cannot be realized without the expertise an audiologist can provide. And don't be surprised if it takes a few visits before you really feel as though you and your hearing aids are "friends".

How does your hearing aid suit you?

Hearing aids cannot restore normal hearing sensitivity and sometimes it is difficult for the wearer to know what reasonable expectations are. Benefit, though, can be measured in several ways. Go over these points with your audiologist:

•Does the amplified sound have a natural quality or is it tinny and sharp?

•Are the aids comfortable to wear or do you feel plugged up with them in?

•Are you constantly turning the volume up and down?

•Are the aids easily inserted and removed?

•Can you hear better with your aids than without them?

Types of Hearing Aids

Behind-the-Ear
Aid fits behind the external ear and is coupled to an ear-mold for sound delivery.
Fitting Range: Slight-to-profound

Full Shell In-the-Ear
Custom type aid built from an impression of the user's ear. Aid is designed to fit in the outer portion of the external ear.
Fitting Range: Slight-to-severe

In-the-Canal
Custom hearing aid which fits mainly in the ear canal with only about one-quarter protruding into the outer portion of the external ear.
Fitting Range: Slight-to-moderately severe

Completely In-the-Canal (CIC)
Custom hearing aid which fits deeply into the ear canal. This is the smallest hearing aid available. May not fit all ears, may be more difficult to insert and may need more repairs.
Fitting Range: Slight-to-moderately severe

Open-Fit
Comfortable and cosmetically appealing digital behind-the-ear style that uses an ultra thin eartip to reduce the “barrel effect” of hearing your own voice while providing high frequency amplification.
Fitting range: Slight-to-moderate high frequency losses

Comparison of Hearing Aid Technologies

Digital

Can have more than one listening program which may switch automatically or through the use of a push button on aid or remote control
Does not require a volume control; may have a remote control if desired
Most natural sound reproduction facilitates understanding in most situations
Distinguishes between speech and steady state noise, allowing for enhancement of speech and reduction of noise
Contains millions of tiny electrical parts which process sound mathematically.
Feedback management system greatly reduces possibility of “whistling”
Can be easily reprogrammed in office to accommodate a change in hearing needs

Analog

Technology has been available for over 50 years
Typically only one listening program
Volume control is needed to make adjustments in quiet and loud situations, basically turning everything up or down
Beneficial in quieter situations such as one-on-one and while watching TV
Good for people who have a very quiet lifestyle
May not be appropriate for individuals with insensitivity to loud sounds
Does not process sound except to make it louder or to compress loud sound
Feedback (whistling) control is accomplished by reducing high pitch amplification which may decrease the user’s understanding ability
Major circuit changes must be made at the factory
Some models are programmable

Noise Reduction:
The noise reduction feature which is available in advanced digital technology circuitry improves listening comfort and reduces fatigue in noisy environments such as restaurants, social events and sporting events. Some hearing aids have this feature that can either be turned on or off, while others allow various degrees of noise reduction depending on your needs and preferences.

Digital Directional Technology:
Digital directional technology is used to amplify the sounds coming from in front of the hearing aid user while minimizing the sounds coming from other directions in the environment. Additionally some higher processing digital aids ensure that the loudest noise source in the room is not overamplified even as it moves around.

Digital Feedback Suppression:
Many hearing aid users have high frequency hearing loss which affects their ability to hear consonant sounds such as s, th and sh. Without adequate high frequency amplification, the speech signal will typically be unclear. Previously, providing adequate high frequency amplification often resulted in feedback or a high pitched ringing or screeching sound. The newer digital feedback suppression systems can eliminate or significantly decrease the feedback.

Binaural Hearing

Most people will benefit from the use of two hearing aids because of the following:

Improved Understanding

Binaural hearing helps you sort out and understand individual voices. Our "built-in signal processor" combines signals from both ears into a single sound. Without such blending, our brain can only present us with incomplete information.

Less Stressful Listening

Listening with only one ear is physically tiring and stressful. The more realistic sound of stereo hearing lets you respond more confidently. And you don't need to worry about always turning your "good" ear toward sounds.

Safety

Our brain locates a sound source by measuring the tiny differences in duration and intensities between each ear. When a person hears with only one ear, the difficulty in locating sound can be dangerous, especially in traffic.

Both Ears Stay Active

When a hearing impaired person who has an equal hearing loss in each ear wears a hearing aid in only one ear, the unused ear tends to lose its ability to hear and understand.

Cushions Loud Sounds

Binaural hearing generally requires less volume, giving a more natural sound to voices and music. Sudden loud sounds lose much of their jarring effect when divided between two ears.

Better Sound Identification

Many noises which sound almost exactly alike when heard in one ear can be identified more easily when heard with two ears.

Hearing From Both Sides

As nature intended, hearing with two ears allows you to enjoy more natural sound. Hearing with one ear is like trying to see with one eye--it's possible, but, in most cases, not very effective.

Living With a Hearing Aid

Start Out on the Right Foot

Remember, your goal is to improve your hearing. Unfortunately, a complete return to the hearing of your youth is not likely, so try and keep your expectations realistic.

Feel Free to Ask Any Questions You Have During Your Instruction Classes

Always attend any scheduled follow-up sessions or adhere to any maintenance schedules your audiologist recommends. If you have a problem with your aid, make an appointment to have it checked. It may only need a simple adjustment

Read Up

Just like a camera or other sophisticated piece of equipment, hearing aids provide best results when used properly. Read the manual thoroughly.

Be Patient

Your brain may take a while to get accustomed to hearing again. Some insignificant sounds may appear too loud at first, until your brain learns to screen them out in preference to important sounds. This is completely natural and shouldn't cause concern.

Be Consistent

Hearing aids are not a special occasion dress or suit. For best results you should wear your aids every day. If you only wear them occasionally, or continually take them in or out, you are "teasing" your brain. While not harmful, you probably won't get the best hearing improvement this way.

Give Them TLC

Give your hearing aids tender loving care and they'll do the same for you. Your manual contains tips for the best care of your hearing aids, such as keeping them dry and clean. Cerumen (ear wax) can reduce your aids' efficiency and even cause them to malfunction.

Hearing Aid Accessories

Hearing Aid Battery Testers
Pocket size testers are available that can be used with all standard hearing aid battery sizes.

AdHear Cerumen Guards
If you have a problem with earwax getting into your hearing aid, consider the use of these cerumen guards. They firmly stick like an adhesive bandage over the end of the hearing aid and prevent wax and debris from entering and damaging the electronics of the hearing aid.

Dri-Aid Kits
This is a special container with moisture absorbing pellets. Once the battery is removed from the hearing aid, the instrument is placed in the container and sealed overnight. Hearing aid users who perspire heavily or notice rust in their aids should utilize this kit.

Dry and Store
Dry & Store® is a conditioning system for all types of hearing instruments - traditional hearing aids as well as cochlear implant equipment, noise maskers, ear monitors, and more. Best results are achieved with in-home use every night. While you sleep, it removes moisture, dries earwax, kills germs, and deodorizes your hearing instruments.
Results include:
· Fewer repairs
· Better sound quality
· Relief from itchy ears
· Longer battery life
· Fresh and clean hearing aids

Telephone Ear Pads
Foam pad that adheres to the telephone receiver which helps prevent feedback (whistling) during telephone use while wearing a hearing aid.

Hearing Aid Batteries

Fresh hearing aid batteries are always available at the Bella Vista Hearing Center. The size of the battery your hearing aid uses depends on the size of the hearing aid and its circuit requirements.

Zinc air batteries have replaced mercury or silver batteries. Battery life will vary between hearing aid users depending on the number of hours the hearing aids are used, the power of the aid, the preferred volume setting and the actual listening environments the person is exposed to.

If you have difficulty inserting and changing the battery in your hearing aid, consider the use of Energizer EZChange products. For more information click here.

Store batteries in a dry location at room temperature in their original protective package. Do not put them in the refrigerator. It is a good practice to open the door on the hearing aid when it is not in use to be sure that the hearing aid is not draining the battery unnecessarily.

Battery Hotline 202-625-3333

Hearing aid batteries can be dangerous if swallowed or used improperly. Always keep them out of reach of anyone who might swallow them, especially children.

IN THE EVENT THAT A BATTERY IS INGESTED, CALL THE NATIONAL BUTTON BATTERY INGESTION HOTLINE: 202-625-3333