Hearing Aids

Introduction to Hearing Aids

A Hearing Aid is a small electronic device that you wear in or behind your ear. A Hearing Aid makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations. However, only about one out of five people who would benefit from a Hearing Aid actually uses a Hearing Aid.

More About Hearing Aids

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.

How can Hearing Aids help?

Hearing aids are primarily useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people who have hearing loss that results from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, called hair cells. This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. The damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines.

A Hearing Aid magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear. Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. The greater the damage to a person's hair cells, the more severe the hearing loss, and the greater the Hearing Aid amplification needed to make up the difference. However, there are practical limits to the amount of amplification a Hearing Aid can provide. In addition, if the inner ear is too damaged, even large vibrations will not be converted into neural signals. In this situation, a Hearing Aid would be ineffective.

How can I find out if I need a Hearing Aid?

If you think you might have hearing loss and could benefit from a Hearing Aid, visit your physician, who may refer you to an otolaryngologist or audiologist. An otolaryngologist is a physician who specializes in ear, nose, and throat disorders and will investigate the cause of the hearing loss. An audiologist is a hearing health professional who identifies and measures hearing loss and will perform a hearing test to assess the type and degree of loss.

The Hearing Aid that will work best for you depends on the kind and severity of your hearing loss. If you have a hearing loss in both of your ears, two Hearing Aids are generally recommended because two Hearing Aids provide a more natural signal to the brain. Hearing in both ears also will help you understand speech and locate where the sound is coming from.

You and your audiologist should select a Hearing Aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Price is also a key consideration because Hearing Aid range from hundreds to several thousand dollars. Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost. However, don't use price alone to determine the best Hearing Aid for you. Just because one Hearing Aid d is more expensive than another does not necessarily mean that Hearing Aid will better suit your needs.

A Hearing Aid will not restore your normal hearing. With practice, however, a Hearing Aid will increase your awareness of sounds and their sources. You will want to wear your Hearing Aid regularly, so select a Hearing Aid that is convenient and easy for you to use. Other features to consider include parts or services covered by the Hearing Aid warranty, estimated schedule and costs for maintenance and repair, options and upgrade opportunities, and the Hearing Aid company's reputation for quality and customer service.

Tips on Choosing Hearing Aids

The following are links to manufacturers and suppliers are various types of Hearing Aids:

Hear At Last
HearAtLast offers a bold and fresh new approach to hearing tests and the dispensing of the "Next Generation of Hearing Instruments." We offer state-of-the-art hearing solutions using the latest in clinical testing equipment to pinpoint hearing loss.
www.hearatlast.com

Hearing Aid Brands?
Recommended Hearing Aid Brands?
deafness.about.com/b/2007/01/12/recommended-hearing-aid-brands.htm

Audiology/Otolaryngology: hearing aid brands, magnatone hearing ...
Magnatone hearing aids, gn resound, consumers union - Yes there are Honda and Toyota type hearing aid companies out there
en.allexperts.com/q/Audiology-Otolaryngology-963/hearing-aid-brands.htm

Advancedhearing.com - hearing aids for less
We sell new hearing aids, complete with all associated equipment needed...even batteries are included. The same, brand new, hearing aids all reputable ...
www.advancedhearing.com

Hearing Aid Comparison Chart: Compare Different Brands and Models
With so many different brands and models of hearing aids, finding the right one that fits your needs and your budget can be difficult
www.aidright.com

Hearing Aids - Hearing Aid Prices and Audiologist Locations
We provide the world's leading hearing aids ,through a nationwide network of ... Hearing aid prices on this website already include the cost for full and ...
www.ahearingaid.com

UT Hearing Aids - Brands of hearing aids
We have numerous brand name hearing aids available in a variety of models and sizes. The audiologist will take your hearing loss and hearing needs into ...
www.uthearingaids.com/hearaid/brands.htm

Hearing Aid Information and Reviews - Hearing Aids 1000
Questions to ask when searching for the right hearing aid...
www.hearingaids1000.com

Hearing Aids for the UK
earing aids website that provides information and product offers to UK hearing aid buyers. ... About hearing aid brands & models ...
www.hearingaidworld.com

Digital Hearing Aids
Our brand-name hearing aid batteries are The Best Deal On the Internet. And with our wide variety of hearing aid accessories, we makes Lloyds THE One-Stop ...
www.lloydhearingaid.com

Hearing aid batteries, all popular brands of hearing aid batteries
Hearing aid batteries at greatly discounted prices from Rayovac, Duracell and Power One.
hearing-aid-batteries-co.com

Texoma Hearing Offering Top Brand Name Hearing Aids at affordable
Texoma Hearing with the best prices on hearing aids batteries and accessories plus quality customer service.
www.texomahearingaid.com

New Sound Hearing Aid Centers
Your Hearing Aid Source .... we repair all hearing aid brands ... FREE Consumers Guide to Hearing Aids Compares & Ranks 24 Hearing Aid Brands. ...
newsoundhearing.com

Hearing Aids All Brands
Hearing aids - all brands. ... Bay is located in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. We specialise in providing all aspects of hearing and balance care
www.hotfrog.com.au/Products/Hearing-aids-all-brands

Hearing Aid Reviews - Best Hearing Aids - Digital Hearing Aids
We suggest looking online at Amazon.com since they do carry some of the major brands of hearing aids and offer decent pricing. ...
www.galttech.com/research/health/hearing-aids.php

Hearing Aids - Open fit digital hearing aids and In the Canal
All Programmable Hearing Aids -Our prices are $1000's less than competitive hearing aids brands ...
www.hearingaidscentral.com

Feel free to contact us at 1-800-311-CARE or info@thecareguide.com should you have any questions or require further assistance in finding appropriate Hearing Aids.