Is a Hearing Device Helpful for Moderate Sensory Hearing Loss?

Working with an audiologist to manage your hearing loss is important to ensure that you receive the best care and are informed about all your options. One option your audiologist might recommend is a hearing aid. Hearing aids come in many different forms, so it is important to learn about them all and consult with your audiologist to make sure you find the right fit for your situation. One of the biggest things that goes into choosing the right path for you is to know what kind of hearing loss you have and what course of treatment would work best. Each individual has a specific and unique situation, so your solution should work for you. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and occurs when the ear nerves and hair cells are damaged due to age, noise or another factor. This hearing loss affects the pathways that lead from the inner ear to the brain. Conductive hearing loss is caused by something like fluid, tumors or malformations in the outer or middle ear. This keeps sound from getting to the inner ear. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. There are also different severities of hearing loss that need to be accounted for before a good decision can be reached. Minimal hearing loss is the least problematic, and the individual may encounter few difficulties. Mild hearing loss will only limit the soft sound in your life, like the ticking of a clock or distant speakers. Moderate hearing loss will encompass louder sounds like a vacuum cleaner that is running and may present problems in understanding faint speakers and in conversational speech. Moderately severe would include even louder sounds like a dog barking and soft speakers. A severe or profound hearing loss would include difficulty in hearing a loud conversation or a baby crying. For many people with hearing loss, one good option is to use a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. It is one of the most commonly used types of hearing devices because they can help a wide range of people, and it is probably the one you are familiar with already. It is applicable for all ages and can help manage varying degrees of hearing loss. This hearing aid is a curved plastic casing that rests behind the ear to hold the battery, electronics, and controls for operating and changing the settings of the hearing aid. Attached to this casing is another piece called the ear mold. These are custom fit each individual to maximize comfort and to ensure the sound is transmitted well. With so many ways for it to be adjusted to fit the specific individual, it is not a surprise that the BTE hearing aid is so popular. Here are some more of the benefits of a BTE hearing aid.

Comfort

Some hearing aid users find that hearing aids that come into direct contact with the ear canal to be uncomfortable, but this is not a problem with a BTE hearing aid. They are lightweight, so there is no discomfort on your ear. They are comfortable to wear and easy to take on and off.

Maintenance

BTE hearing aids do not come into direct contact with the ear canal, so they are easier to maintain. The casing for the batteries and other components is larger, so switching batteries and cleaning the device is easier, especially for users with limited eyesight or dexterity. The larger casing also means bigger batteries, which means they last longer and require less maintenance.

Cost and features

BTE hearing aids are also one of the most cost-effective hearing devices on the market. Because they do not require any procedures to start using, the time spent at the audiologist’s office is lessened as well as the cost. Even though it is a more affordable option, there are also many options that make it a sensible choice like directional microphones, telecoil and Bluetooth.

Minimal feedback

Feedback from hearing devices is a common complaint. The internal pieces of the BTE hearing aids are not as close together as with other devices, and that extra distance minimizes feedback for the user. When managing your hearing loss, it is important to find an audiologist who will work with you. At EarTech Audiology, we believe in providing our customers with the best hearing care possible. We assist people with a large range of hearing issues and work with patients from newborn to over a hundred years old. Our audiologists have over 50 years of combined experience to ensure we are able to bring you the best care possible. We would love to talk to you about your needs, contact us today at (866) 464-1008.