The next time you come across the word- hearing aids, dont get surprised as the much connoted term has nothing to do with sexually transmission of diseases, like AIDS. Though AIDS, i.e., acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has some other agents too, from which the disease travels from one person to another, but on the contrary hearing aids can happen to anyone without the requirement of a particular source to transfer itself. Basically excessive noise is the number one reason for hearing loss finally resulting in hearing aids.
Emphasising on the literal meaning of hearing aids, it is something that aids in hearing. More precisely it can be defined as a small electronic device that is worn in or behind the ear which makes sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in day to day activities. Like any another mechanical device the complete functioning of a hearing aid is controlled by its three parts, a microphone, amplifier, and speaker. The microphone receives sounds, converting the sound waves into electrical signals and sends them to an amplifier. The amplifier enhances the power of the signals and finally the signals are sent to the ear through a speaker.
A hearing aid user cant expect the full rectification of his/her hearing loss problem, as hearing aid just makes sound more accessible to the patient suffering from hearing loss resulting from the damage of the small sensory cells in the inner ear, called hair cells. A hearing aid magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear. The hair cells in the ear detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. The ear has over 25,000 tiny hair cells helping to hear the nuances of sound. Mathematically, the tendency of hearing & the damage of hair cells inside the ear are proportional to each other. The greater the damage to a persons hair cells, the more severe is the hearing loss; As a result greater hearing aid amplification is needed to make up the difference.
One can visit to otolaryngologist or audiologist for curing out hearing loss problems. 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. Furthermore, the level of hearing loss and the origin in ear that is causing the hearing loss determines the type of hearing aid a patient requires. There are small hearing aids designed to fit directly into the ear and larger hearing aids that fit behind the ear. Manufacturers use abbreviations such BTE (behind the ear), ITE (in the ear), ITC (in the canal) and CIC (completely in the canal) when describing their hearing aids.
Hearing loss is not just an ailment of old age. It can strike at any time and any age, even childhood. The signs of hearing loss can appear very slow or they can make a sudden appearance. Whatever the case may be the problem of hearing loss creep in with negative social and emotional repercussions. Its very annoying when in a social gathering a person finds it difficult in following conversation involving many people or requires frequent repetitions or tend to read lips or more intently watch people’s faces when they speak. This kind of difficulty hearing gives an experience of distorted and incomplete communication that it seriously impacts their professional and personal lives, at times leading to isolation and withdrawal.
Visit us at : Center for Hearing Aids
Sandeep Malhautra, Director, Center for Hearing Aids, New Delhi , INDIA
Center for Hearing Aids