High Tech Hearing Aids

Once you have bought a hearing aid for yourself, you need to take care of it on a regular basis. Taking care means doesn’t just mean keeping it clean, it also means that you should pay extra attention to the maintenance of its electronic components. To make sure your hearing aid stays in tip-top condition you will need to buy some maintenance supplies.

The first and most important thing is to maintain is the battery, everything needs power! Without a battery your hearing aid is useless. Make sure that you change batteries if they are not functioning properly. Hearing aid batteries are not like ordinary batteries, they normally last for a very long period of time. It’s a good idea to note down the date you first installed in the battery, this way you should know when it is about time to have it replaced. If you are not sure whether there is any life left in your hearing aid battery then it’s easiest just to change it, however you can buy a tool to test the amount of power left in a battery.

Other than these maintenance supplies, you also need some tools to clean your ears regularly. This helps to protect your hearing aids and keeps them going for a long time. The cleaning products include ear cream, ear picks or cotton buds, sanitized ear sprays, certain wax removal tools, and dri-aid (hearing aid dehumidifier). These products can be bought individually from different companies but if you buy a kit you might be able to get quite a good deal. These kits contain all the necessary supplies you are going to need in order to clean your hearing aids as well as your ears.

In addition to buying hearing aid maintenance kits, you also need to take precautions while cleaning your hearing devices. Do not use water to clean electronic parts and remember to use a dry cloth to wipe away any earwax and other dirt that has built up on the surface of your hearing aid. Occasionally a toothbrush can be used to remove stubborn wax, there are also specialist tools that you can buy so you don’t have to use your toothbrush! Of course you shouldn’t be using the same toothbrush that you use to clean your teeth with anyway. Take extra care while cleaning sensitive areas of your hearing aid, like the tubing that goes inside the ear and ear mold. If water bubbles are allowed into the tube, then just blow through one side.

Ear molds and other non-electronic parts can be washed with water and soap, but do not soak them for too long. Always dry the hearing aids completely before putting them back on otherwise you may experience some feedback, whistling and echo. If that’s the case, then remove your hearing aid and hold it in front of a fan for a few minutes, this dries off any accumulated water or soap bubbles.

You may also want to buy a hearing aid tester device. These devices or tools are shaped like a stethoscope, and therefore called stethosets. It is used in much the same way as a doctor uses a stethoscope to check the heartbeat. You can check if your hearing aid is working properly. If there is a fault, you can use this tool to diagnose exactly where the fault is located this maintenance tool especially comes handy when your kids use hearing aids and cannot tell by themselves whether or not they are working correctly.

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Looking for the best hearing aid? Hearing aids are expensive, so why not buy the best one available?

This is a good idea, but there’s only one problem: There is no “best” hearing aid. Which hearing aid is best for you depends entirely on your needs, and the nature of your hearing loss.

Here is a guide for what kind of hearing aid is best for you!

Types Of Hearing Loss

* Conductive Hearing Loss. This means that there is a problem somewhere in your ear, so that the sound is not getting all the way from your outer ear to the inner ear. This is the most common reason people get hearing aids.

* Sensorineural Hearing Loss. In this case, there is a problem further in the inner ear, or there may be nerve problem so that the signal is not getting from the inner ear to the brain. This is a much more serious problem, but can be helped with the use of a hearing aid.

* Mixed Hearing Loss. Mixed hearing loss refers to a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Buying A Hearing Aid

Note: Before buying a hearing aid, make sure that the manufacturer has a trial period. This is important. Most companies have a 30 or 60-day trial period during which you can return the hearing aid if it is not for you.

Regular Hearing Aids

Traditional hearing aids are designed to boost sound, and are good for any kind of hearing loss.

The most common hearing aids are the ones you’ve seen around. There are those that fit behind-the-ear (BTEs), in-the-ear (ITEs) and inside the ear canal.

You can also choose between digital and analog hearing aids. Analog hearing aids are less expensive, but are being phased out gradually, in favor of digital aids that have better sound quality and more features.

With more options to choose from, hearing aid users are increasingly choosing customized features such as dual microphone systems, different channels that can be switched back and forth, and telecoils that allow you to use your hearing aid with a telephone.

Implants

There are now hearing aids that can be surgically implanted. In this case, either the whole device or part of the device is put inside the body. There are advantages and disadvantages to this method. These are designed for those with serious and chronic hearing loss.

These devices take sound energy from outside and move the middle ear to reproduce the sound. They are designed for those with sensorineural hearing loss, and will not work if the middle ear is damaged. If you are considering this option, talk to your doctor to see if it might be appropriate for you.

Earglasses

The newest thing in hearing aid technology is a device that uses no electronics and no battery at all. It is a device made according to acoustic principles that sits behind your ear and magnifies sound about 12 decibels.

Earglasses work basically in the same way as cupping your hand around your ear does. It is a natural way to boost sound coming from in front of the listener. They will help you if you suffer mild hearing loss, only. For more severe hearing loss, more sophisticated technology is needed.

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The Songbird Hearing Aid has revolutionized the way those with mild to moderate hearing loss live independent lifestyles. Affordable and available for purchase for the first time in almost 4 years, the completely disposable Songbird Flexfit has been newly redesigned, based on the feedback of consumers, to be the ideal hearing device for virtually anyone.

Songbird launched its first direct-to-the-consumer, in-the-ear device in October 2003. Generating substantial sales during the year-long test period, the company found the demand for the product exceeded its financial resources. Pulling the Songbird Hearing Aid from the market in late 2004, the company re-evaluated the business and product line while addressing issues raised by customer feedback.

Digital Sound Technology

The new Songbird Flexfit Disposable Hearing Aid was developed by the Sarnoff Corporation in Princeton, New Jersey. Sarnoff is responsible for inventing the technology behind High-Definition Television (HDTV) and Digital Satellite Television. Each Songbird is built with digital high-tech components that are custom designed for this application, and offer incredible sound quality. The digital components also keep the batteries from draining quickly, increasing overall battery life to up to 400 hours of active use. Volume is controlled by a small wheel on the body of the hearing aid and also serves as the on/off switch.

Discreet and Comfortable to Wear

One of the primary complaints of the original Songbird was the level of comfort. The new Flexfit design of the disposable hearing aid fits discreetly behind the ear with only a small tip inserted into the ear. It is adjustable to provide a custom fit and includes an optional foam ring to help hold it in place if you find the Songbird slipping out of your ear. The compact design of the Songbird Hearing Aid is designed so that it cannot be seen when people look straight at you and will only be slightly noticeable if they look at you from the side.

Affordable and Hassle-Free

The Songbird Hearing Aid is available without the need for seeing a hearing health professional, and costs a fraction of what normal hearing aids cost. It requires no maintenance other than keeping the hearing aid clean of earwax to prolong battery life and sound quality. A customized wax removal brush is included for added convenience along with a protective case.

Songbird has taken great steps to improve upon the design of the 2003/2004 model, and has created a disposable hearing aid unlike any other device available. With its high-quality digital sound, extended battery life, discreet design, and customizable fit, the Songbird Hearing Aid gives a whole new level of independence and convenience to those with hearing loss.

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Hard of hearing people use hearing aids so they hear sounds, such as voices, better. A hearing aid is not a new device but has been around for centuries but looks nothing like the hearing aids of today.

In the 1800s, people used a funnel like cone to amplify sound. They called this an ear horn or hear trumpet. Another type of hearing aid had earphones and a microphone that plugged into a desk but was certainly not portable. Hearing aids have come a long way since those days.

Studies show that one out of every ten Americans has some type of hearing problem. With todays technology, hearing aids have helped eliminate this problem. The new models of hearing aids today are most often very small and well hidden along with excellent sound quality.

Hearing aids come in three basic types, which are:

1. Conventional hearing aids – These hearing aids were the behind the ear original ones released for sale. You can adjust the volume up or down but if the individuals hearing loss level changes, the manufacturer must adjust this, which is inconvenient.

2. Digital hearing aids – It is not only the most convenient; it can help specific hearing problems. A health care professional will help with the decision on the most beneficial hearing aid and then adjust them to the user.

It is comfortable to wear and the level of sound adjusts itself automatically. The amplifier and microphone adjusts the digitally enhanced sound but they cost more than conventional and programmable hearing aids.

3. Programmable hearing aids – Technically, more advanced than conventional hearing aids, the volume adjusts itself.

4. Disposable hearing aids – Less expensive than technologically advanced hearing aids, it is similar to conventional hearing aids in sound quality. Their shelf life is very short at less than 40 days.

When shopping for a hearing aid, consult an ear doctor who will help you choose the best hearing aid for your needs, budget and lifestyle.

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Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, typically abbreviated SSHL, is a frightening problem that hits about 4,000 people each year in the United States. It is an affliction that doctors still don’t quite understand, as there are over 100 things that can cause sudden hearing loss. Even then, some people who are struck with SSHL never do find out what caused their problem.

SSHL is technically defined as a loss of hearing that reduces your hearing abilities by more than 30 dB, spanning at least three contiguous frequencies. This loss can happen either suddenly or over a span of about 72 hours. While SSHL usually only strikes one ear, some people have reported the unexplainable deafness in both. With this type of hearing loss, a person might also experience tinnitus and/or dizziness.

Most people say that they wake up to discover that they are deaf in an ear. Others do not notice the change until they try to use one ear alone, like listening to the phone. Even more rarely, some people hear a “pop” noise before suddenly losing their hearing. People can recover from SSHL just as suddenly, with some undergoing a spontaneous recovery without medical intervention within three days after the strike. Others only have to wait a week or two before their hearing is restored, although 15% of sufferers of SSHL never recover and actually get worse.

In looking for the probably cause for the hearing loss, doctors may interview you about your past health issues or any injuries you might have sustained. Only about 10-15% of SSHL sufferers can determine what might have hurt their ears, which may include:

Infectious disease or virus

Loss of blood circulation

Toxins like chemicals or snake bites

Head or ear trauma

Birth defects or abnormal tissue growth

Immunological or neurological disorders

Because so little is known about the cause of SSHL, doctors do not have an exact method to fight the problem. They do, however, recommend to visit a physician immediately because research has shown that the quicker the treatment, the better. After asking you about medications or experiences that may have caused the deafness, a doctor may ask you to discontinue a possibly harmful medicine. Usually, a healthcare professional will prescribe steriods, which help reduce inflammation and promote immunological strength. These can help with the SSHL if it is infection or virus-related.

Sadly, sometimes doctors cannot help with the SSHL. Thus, to stay active and able to hear, many people turn to hearing aids. Studies have shown that bone anchored cochlear systems tend to have the most success with people with SSHL, although there are a number of other hearing aid devices that can help with the deafness.

For more information on hearing disorders and the hearing aids that help, check out Hearing Planet today.

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