FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between digital and analogue hearing aids?
'Analogue' is the least expensive and oldest type of hearing aid technology. Although the 'frequencey response' of the hearing aid can be closely matched to your hearing loss these aids amplify both speech and background noise together. The advanced signal processing capabilities that are available in digital hearing aids are not available in 'Analogue' aids.
Digital Technology hearing aids contain computer chips which enables your hearing aid provider to more accurately fine tune your hearing aid to your hearing loss. This results in a more natural, satisfactory hearing experience.
Advanced Digital Technology Advanced digital hearing aids can virtually eliminate the problems common of the older type of technologies such as feedback (whistling) and sound artifacts. These types of aids can improve your speech intelligibility in the noisiest of backgrounds and automatically adjust themselves depending on your environment.
How do i know if i need one hearing aid or two?
The information gathered at your hearing assessment will enable us to determine whether one hearing aid or two would be best suited to your needs. Usually, if you have a hearing loss in both of your ears then two aids would be recommended. To understand the reasons for this click here.
Recent studies show that those who wear two hearing aids hear and understand more clearly and enjoy a better sound quality.
Approximately two thirds of new hearing aid wearers opt for two aids.
There are different styles of hearing aids - how do I know which would be the best for me?
Several things are taken into account when deciding which 'style' of hearing aid would be most suitable for you.
* The degree of hearing loss
* The size of your ear canals
* Your dexterity - ie the size of battery that you can easily handle whether a remote control would suit your needs
* Your 'style' preferences
For more information on 'styles' of hearing aids click here.
What if I lose or break my hearing aid?
How long will it take me to get used to my hearing aids?
Adjusting to a better life with hearing instruments. (Starkey Leaflet)
Choosing a hearing device is just the beginning of the journey to better hearing. How quickly you adjust to your hearing aid depends on how often you wear them.
When you first start wearing your hearing aids you will notice an increase in the noise levels around you. This background noise has probably always been there but with your hearing loss you may not have noticed these sounds.
It may take a while to get used to hearing sounds louder than before. As with anything new, it will take time and patience as you adapt to this new way of hearing.
Hearing is only part of how we exchange thoughts, ideas and feelings. Reading lips, facial expressions and gestures can enhance the learning process and supplement what amplification alone may miss.
The following steps can make communicating easier when you are adjusting to a new hearing device.
* Looking at the person who is speaking and sitting face to face in a quiet room.
* Minimising distractions; for example doing dishes at the sink and trying to have a conversation is difficult for those even with normal hearing.
* Moving closer to the speaker and within sight.
* Trying different locations in a room that has poor acoustics.
When you use your hearing aids for the first time, you'll notice that the hearing process feels different. That's because your brain actually has to relearn how to hear sounds - especially the complex range of frequencies in humans speech.
You can also optimise your use of hearing aids and make the most of your listening capabilities by engaging in an auditory training program. Click here for more information.
The following are observations made by first - time hearing aid wearers.
* It takes time to adjust to wearing hearing aids.
* Your voice may sound different at first.
* Hearing in situations with background noise should improve, but probably not as much as hearing in quiet places.
This period of adjustment is compleletely normal. But before long you'll start hearing the sound's you've been missing as well as many you didn't even realise were gone. You might begin to notice sounds you haven't heard for some time, such as the hum of household appliances, or the subtle sounds of nature.
Research suggests that speech comprehension increases over a period of several months after first using a hearing aid. The longer you wear the aid, the clearer and more natural these sounds will become. There's so much in life that's worth hearing. Spending time adjusting to your hearing aid is a valuable process which will ultimately allow you to make sure you can appreciate more of the sounds around you and enjoy hearing again.
