Wondering about the cost, science behind a hearing aid and how to choose the right one for you?

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):

1. Know more about your problem: Get a hearing test from a certified audiologist
2. How to find the right hearing care professional (Audiologist) for you?
3. What are the different types of hearing aids available in the market?
4. How to evaluate and choose the best out of different options?
5. Are hearing aids covered under insurance?
6. Will it really work for me? What is the science behind hearing aids?
7. What to expect from hearing aids?
8. How long do the hearing aids last?
9. How long does it take to adjust with hearing aids?
10. How to maintain your hearing aids?

Let’s know about it from the most trusted Audiologist, Dr. Aniket Gupta.

Also Read : All Ears: How to choose the Right Hearing Aid for Me?

1. Know more about your problem: Get a hearing test from a certified audiologist

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.

2. The First step is always the most important thing to consider: Get the right hearing care professional (Audiologist) 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.

3. What are my options: What are the different types of hearing aids in the market?

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.

4. Which one is the best for me: How to evaluate out of different options?

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.

• Hearing test: Visit an audiologist and get examined for hearing ability. The test results will determine the kind of hearing aid you would require. The audiologist will also guide you through this.
• Size: There are different sizes of hearing aids available in the market. Choose the one that fits in the ear comfortably.
• Type: There are various types of styles available in hearing aids like Behind-The Ear, Everyone has different requirements, so you should choose the type of hearing aid that suits your comfort and requirements the best.
• Ask feedback: Do your own research on the options available in the market. Read feedback on the purchases made by other customers on shopping sites or their own websites. Also, consult other patients with their experience.
• Cost: Hearing aids are costly and can be as expensive as Rs. 2,50,000 depending on the style and additional functions. So, choose the one that fulfills your requirements and fits in your budget.

Also Read : What Is Hearing Aid, Types Of Hearing Aids And Its Cost?

5. “I have heard that hearing aids are costly”: Financial plan: Are hearing aids covered under insurance?

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.

6. Will it really work for me? The science behind hearing aids

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.

7. What to expect from hearing aids: Setting the right expectations

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.

• Better social life: A hearing aid improves an overall experience in daily life. It helps you hear your surroundings better and hence increases your involvement in social activities eventually. You get a better social life after you start using your hearing device.
• Reduce tinnitus: related annoyance: Many patients have a ringing sound in their ear due to which there is a constant annoyance. Hearing aids may reduce this along with correcting the hearing impairment.
• Slow cognitive decline: It has been seen that people with untreated hearing impairment gradually lose cognitive function and may slow develop dementia as well.
• Increased earning power: hearing aids, by improving hearing ability, attempt to bring normalcy in a person’s life who has been suffering from the disability for a long time. The person becomes independent and gains/regains earning power.

8. How long do the hearing aids last: Durability of hearing aids

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

9. How’s life after starting with Hearing Aids: How long does it take to adjust with hearing aids

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.

10. Know about the maintenance: How to take care of your hearing aids

It is very important to maintain hearing aids for their better performance and longer life. Here are some tips for maintaining your device.

1. Cleaning: Keeping the device clean improves its life and efficiency. Regularly, remove any visible earwax and clean battery contacts. Always wash hands before handling the device.
2. Storage: The hearing aids should be stored in a safe place. Keep them away from children, animals, and sources of water.
3. Handling: These are very small devices with delicate parts, they need to be handled with care. Avoid dropping them, keep them away from children and animals and always store them in a safe place.
4. Batteries: When you are not using the device for a longer period, it is advised to remove the batteries. Keep the batteries away from moisture to prevent corrosion. While changing the batteries, always clean the battery contacts in the device.
5. Earwax: Though it is difficult to avoid the device getting in contact with earwax completely, you should regularly clean the device. It is one of the causes of decreased device performance.
6. Moisture: As it is an electronic device it is very important to be kept away from moisture and any water source. Make sure to remove the device every time before having a bath, while swimming or when there are chances of water contact.
7. Service: It is advised to schedule a regular servicing of the hearing aid. The professionals take proper measures required for the device and are also able to make necessary adjustments.