Loud noises, certain medications, aging, and some types of diseases have been linked to ear damage. In most cases, surgery is done to make the patient’s condition better, but this doesn’t always work for everyone. For those who cannot get the surgery, special sound-amplifying devices can be used to improve one’s hearing.With the right sound-aids, you can make a big difference and avert some situations.

How They Work

A hearingaid is a small electronic gadget that was constructed as a solution to hearing problems. It does this by collecting sound waves via its microphone, amplifies it and then releases the sound into the wearer’s ear. This modern device is fitted with a speaker, computer chip, and a battery that gives it its abilities and additional features. People with a sensorineural condition use these little devices, and the type prescribed depends on the severity of a patient’s case. You can get yours online or at any audiology and hearing clinic in the U.S. There are about five main manufacturers of these gadgets, offering quality devices with the latest technology to address a market with diverse hearing needs. Before you get yourself one, you have to take a hearing test where your results will guide your hearing care provider into selecting the appropriate manufacturer whose product will be best for you.

Types of Electronic Listening-aid

Analog and digital hearing aids are the two main categories of listening devices made for the deaf, but the styles used in these sound tools are several. The devices are usually named according to the locality of their placement. They include:

1. Mini CIC or CIC (completely-in-the-canal)
2. In-the-ear (ITE)
3. In-the-canal (ITC)
4. Behind-the-ear (BTE)
5. Open fit
6. Receiver-in-canal (RIC)

Before buying a listening-aid, it would be better if you first explored some of the available options to get yourself the best. This is how you can do it:

• Book an appointment with a specialist like an audiologist for a check-up to determine your hearing loss causes and then get your hearing abilities tested. Feel free to ask your physician for a recommendation or referral to a reputable audiologist if you know none.
• Check to see if the device has a warranty as it will save you from incurring more costs from repairs when the device breaks down during the warrantied duration.
• Inquire about trial periods because it buys you time to find out more about the gadget and its special features.
• Be on high alert about misleading claims. You should know that a listening device cannot block all the background noises, nor can it restore your normal hearing. Be aware of dispensers or advertisements that claim otherwise.

Choosing the Right One

Various factors are always put into consideration before a certain type is recommended. Such factors include:

• Drainage- Persons with ears that need drainage may be limited to the number of hearing device models they can use.
• One’s ability to take out and put in the gadget
• Your outer ear’s shape-An ear with abnormal shape is less likely to fit a behind-the-ear listening device.
• The length or depth of the depression near your ear canal- If your ear is too shallow, it might not be able to accommodate some types of deaf-aid.
• Amount of wax buildup in the ear- Too much moisture or wax limits one from using an in-the-ear hearing device.
• The severity and type of your hearing loss
• The patient’s age and lifestyle

Some manufactures have put in some additional features like rechargeable batteries, wireless connectivity, noise reduction, telecoils, synchronization, variable programming, audio input ports, remote controls, and directional microphonesto improve the quality of service offered by listening gadgets.

Tips on How to Keep Your Device in Top Shape

According to the South Florida ENT Associates in Jupiter, FL, listening aids offer optimum performance when taken care of in the following easy steps:

1. Handle them with care
2. Make sure your hands are clean before you handle your gadget
3. Turn them off whenever they are not in use
4. Please keep them in a dry and safe environment
5. Change your wax guards frequently to prevent a deterrence in sound quality caused by dirt and wax
6. Avoid wearing them while swimming or taking a shower
7. Replace the batteries often
8. Schedule professional cleaning routines with a hearing expert