Hearing Aids

Hearing aids equipment such as – Programmable Analog provide excellent assistance. More so digital programmed instruments or hearing devices offer audiologists additional modification capability to improve performance in many different situations. Thus, depending on your hearing loss and its severity, multiple microphones may significantly improve discrimination and localization in both noisy and quiet situations.

A hearing aid has three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The hearing aid receives sound through a microphone, which converts the sound waves to electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier increases the power of the signals and then sends them to the ear through a speaker.

There are many types of hearing aids or hearing instrument available in the market under variety of brands and Styles. Some of the most commonly available styles and brands, and how each one of it fits in the wearer ears are sown in the picture below;

As one of the most commonly available hearing instrument; hearing aids are indeed a blessing for those in need. While in the event of selecting a hearing aid, it is advisable that you as a wearer can select from the following two section of commonly available hearing aids options;

• Circuit: Circuit options include: conventional, programmable, and digital.
• Size: Size options are: BTE, ITE, ITE half-shell, ITC, and CIC.

Based on your requirement and the audiologist and expert recommendation suitable models can be availed. And as we are all aware, hearing aids are very sensitive instruments. Hence, extra care should be taken to handle and care for your hearing aid devices. It is also advisable that to keep your hearing aid in top condition, you are required to regularly maintain it. Daily hearing aid maintenance should include;

1. Handling them carefully,
2. Keeping them away from pets, and avoiding all airborne chemicals like aerosols (deodorants, perfumes, and hairsprays).
3. Hearing aids are not moisture resistant, so keep them away from saunas, pools, and showers.

In order to meet these handling tips, as a wearer you must conduct your own maintenance program to assure their optimal performance. Before retiring to bed:

1. Wipe off the hearing aid with a handkerchief or other soft cloth that will not shred,
2. Inspect for wax and remove it if you find it,
3. Brush the faceplate (the surface facing out of the ear) where the battery door and microphone are housed (this removes fine particles that can collect), and
4. Open the battery door overnight to save power, and store aids in a container designed for moisture reduction. This will reduce the chances for breakdown.