Get to know about it from the best Audiologist in Delhi, Dr. Aniket Gupta
Hearing aids are small electronic devices to be worn in or behind the ear that enhances the hearing capacity of patients with hearing disabilities. These devices receive sound from external sources, convert the sound waves to electrical signals, amplify them and send them to the ear. In this blog, we help you with your doubts regarding these hearing aids. According to a statistical study by WHO in 2018, in India, the prevalence of hearing impairment (HI) is around 6.3% (63 million people suffering from significant auditory loss). The prevalence of adult-onset deafness in India is estimated at 7.6% and of childhood-onset deafness at 2%. Hearing aids have found to be very helpful in improving the ability to hear and communicate with the world in most cases of hearing loss. Hearing aids have improved so many lives and have given a second chance at life.
So, let’s look at 10 things to remember while going for hearing aids (feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye):
Let’s know about it from the most trusted Audiologist, Dr. Aniket Gupta.
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Hearing loss is a partial or total impairment of hearing. It can either be conductive, sensorineural or mixed type. To get your hearing ability examined online, go to https://www.phonak.com/us/en/online-hearing-test.html. There are many causes of hearing loss but many are temporary or can be treated medically and surgically. Chronic sensorineural hearing loss with cochlear damage needs rehabilitation by technical amplification. Uni or bilateral, severe, post lingual hearing loss is a common indication for the use of hearing aids. Get a hearing test from a certified audiologist to determine whether you need a hearing aid and decide the best-suited hearing aid for you.
Selecting the right audiologist is very important so that you are guided properly through the testing and with choosing the appropriate hearing aid. An audiologist should be certified and experienced in audiology. For conducting audiometry, the main hearing test, an audiogram is required. We at the Tarang clinic are well equipped for testing hearing loss. We have experienced audiologists at our clinic who have a very good review among the patients.
There are various types of hearing aids available for different needs. You should read about them and choose the most compatible type of hearing aid. Different types available in the market are Completely-In-Canal (CIC), In-The-Canal (ITC), In-The-Ear (ITE), Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) and Behind-The-Ear (BTE), the names suggest the structure and function of each type of hearing aid. Recently, digital hearing aids have come into the market. Phonak covers all types of digital and analog hearing aids. Phonak provides good quality hearing aids at reasonable prices.
There are so many options available in the market; it is difficult to decide which device to buy. These are some parameters to consider before you buy a hearing aid.
Also Read : What Is Hearing Aid, Types Of Hearing Aids And Its Cost?
In India, the prices of hearing aids range from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 depending on the type of device and the brand. Hearing aids are external appliances and are considered as an added benefit, therefore, they are not covered under insurance. So, anyone who wishes to start using a hearing aid needs to buy at their own expense. We at Tarang clinics understand its importance and have started giving discounts for senior citizens and have EMI plans available as well.
Hearing aids have three parts, microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The microphone receives the sound from an external source and sends it to the amplifier. The amplifier intensifies the signal and sends it to the ear through the speaker. The hearing aids are useful for people suffering from sensorineural hearing loss particularly. Phonak provides a wide range of digital and analog hearing aids that have additional functions. Hearing aids now come with Bluetooth connection. You can connect your device with your phone and control the function with one tap.
People with hearing impairments, especially, sensorineural hearing loss would benefit from hearing aids. Though it will take about 4 months for a person to adjust with the hearing aids, there are many advantages to using them.
Depending on the type, the hearing aids have a life span ranging from three to seven years while some may last longer. Behind-The-Ear lasts longer then In-The-Ear or In-The-Canal types of hearing aids. The durability of the hearing aid depends on various factors such as moisture, wax, device cleaning and care, style of device, the material of the device and your disability. Regular servicing is also important for the better life of the device.
Also Read : Deafness And Hearing Loss: Cause, Symptoms And Treatment
It takes about 4 months for you to become accustomed and get the most out of your hearing aids. Initially, you are more aware of the surrounding sounds but it takes 4 weeks to get used to it. The audiologist may inform you about some ways to adjust with the hearing aid easily. You need to be patient through the process, your life will be better after you start using a hearing aid.
It is very important to maintain hearing aids for their better performance and longer life. Here are some tips for maintaining your device.