Dr SUMIT SHARMA dispenses all variety of hearing aids ranging from Pocket models for the poor which are very economical to the highly sophisticated analog and digital Behind the Ear, In the Ear, In the Canal and Completely in the Canal type hearing aids (A brief description of each is given below) We also do Surgeries for Bone anchored hearing aids in situations where normal hearing aids cannot be fitted. The basic aim to dispense is that the right type of patient (with a particular type of hearing loss) should get the right kind of Hearing Aid (for that type of loss) as different aids are needed for different people. He has complete infrastructure ( machines) to diagnose all the different types of hearing loss (see infrastructure.) and has a complete setup for programming the digital haering aids.
HEARING AIDS.
A hearing aid is a highly sophisticated communication device. There are many different types of hearing aids, just as there are many forms of hearing loss but they share five basic components. All of the hearing aid components work on amplifying sounds to enhance particular hearing range problems. The design can vary but the overall effect is to enable you to hear clearly in any environment.
How hearing aids work
• A microphone picks up sounds.
• Sounds are analyzed by the processing chip.
• Processed sounds are sent to the amplifier.
• Amplified sounds are sent to the loudspeaker.
• Sounds are transmitted by the loudspeaker into the inner ear where they are transformed into electrical impulses.
• Impulses are picked up by the brain where they are processed.
Hearing loss can occur at any age, for any number of reasons and those it affects have their own particular story to tell.
But in general there are three types of hearing loss:
• Conductive,
• Sensorineural or
• Mixed (which is a combination of both).
Causes of hearing loss
The general and most common causes of hearing loss are age and over exposure to loud noise. However, hearing loss can also occur:
• As a result of infection during gestation
• Through infection
• After a head injury
• If the eardrum is perforated
• As a result of some cancer treatments
• As a result of tumors
• As a result of taking certain medications
• Sometimes cause cannot be determined.
It is a fact that 1 in 6 people over the age of 50 have trouble hearing and require some help with amplification of sounds. Hearing loss ranges from mild loss to moderate, severe and to profound.
When we have a mild hearing loss, our ability to understand speech diminishes. For those people who have a profound hearing loss, speech understanding is not possible.
At every level many types of sounds become more difficult or sometimes impossible to hear – sounds like birds singing, soft voices, appliances like the telephone become difficult to hear.
Recognizing the signs of hearing loss:
Typically, signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include:
Do you have difficulty following conversation in noisy environments?
Do you find yourself swapping the ear you hold the phone to in order to hear better?
Do you have trouble hearing the TV and radio at a volume others can?
Three steps to better hearing
Hearing solutions are designed specifically with your needs in mind and are an important step to empower you to participate actively and confidently in all aspects of life.
1. Diagnose
2. Choose your solution
3. Fitting and adjustment
Why treat hearing loss?
Our hearing is the key to actively participating in the world around us and untreated hearing loss can have a huge impact on our lives.
When hearing loss occurs,
• Reactions to the situation vary.
• Living with an unaddressed hearing loss can often lead to social isolation,
• We feel tired just trying to live our everyday day lives in the same way we once did when we could hear.
• Sometimes a loss of hearing can affect us both mentally and physically,
• If we isolate ourselves it could lead us to missing out on our activities and our interactions with our friends and family, we may feel lonely and left out.
It is important to break this negative cycle and get your hearing assessed if you recognize this pattern.
The earlier you begin to address your hearing loss, the better the chance of being able to retain many of the recognized “sound pictures” that our brain learns and stores from birth that help us quickly “get the picture” of a situation.
TYPES OF HEARING AIDS
Pocket Model is the conventional old model where the hearing aid is kept in the pocket and the sound is conducted to the ear through a wire and patient hears the sound. This is the most economical model and although cosmetically not accepted by many but is as effective as any other type.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids: Most parts are contained in a small plastic case that rests behind the ear; the case is connected to an ear mold or an earpiece by a piece of clear tubing. This style is often chosen for young children because it can accommodate various ear mold types, which need to be replaced as the child grows. Also, the BTE aids are easy to be cleaned and handled, and are relatively sturdy.
In-the-ear (ITE) aids: All parts of the hearing aid are contained in a shell that fills in the outer part of the ear. The ITE aids are larger than the in-the-canal and completely-in-the-canal aids (see below), and for some people may be easier to handle than smaller aids.
In-the-canal (ITC) aids and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids: These hearing aids are contained in tiny cases that fit partly or completely into the ear canal. They are the smallest hearing aids available and offer cosmetic and some listening advantages. However, their small size may make them difficult to handle and adjust for some people.
Receiver in the canal type Hearing Aids (modified type of BTE) – Designed for certain special situation in Hearing loss patients.
There are many advantages of the RIC hearing aid style, including:
• The ability to change to a stronger power receiver, in many cases, if hearing loss progresses. This costs significantly less than purchasing new hearing aids.
• The hearing aid itself is usually smaller, since the speaker/receiver is moved from behind the ear to in the ear.
• There is no tubing to collect moisture and tubing does not have to be replaced.
Protect your hearing
It is no surprise to learn that as we live our lives we are exposed to vast amounts of sounds at all different levels. Sounds that exceed 85 dB SPL are usually considered harmful.
What you may not realize is that 85 db SPL equates to the sound of noisy traffic. Loud music such as in nightclubs or at rock concerts is around 100 db SPL.
Regular exposure to sounds at or over 85 db SPL do irreversible damage but the good news is that we can protect our hearing and take simple steps to prevent possible damage or further damage.
Tips to help protect your hearing
Turn down loud appliances
• At home, turn down the volume on the television, radio, stereo and MP3 player.
• Reduce the number of noisy appliances running at the same time.
• Buy quieter products (compare dB ratings – the smaller the better).
Move away from the source
• Stay as far away from the source of noise as possible.
• Walk away when sounds get too loud.
Wear ear protection
• Use ear protection wherever possible, especially when working with noisy equipment like lawn mowers or leaf blowers.
• When you are exposed to sudden loud noises (e.g. a jackhammer), cup your hands over your ears or put a fingertip into each canal.
WORKING PRINCIPLES OF HEARING AIDS
Hearing aids work differently depending on the electronics used. The two main types of electronics are analog and digital.
Analog aids convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are amplified. Analog/adjustable hearing aids are custom built to meet the needs of each user. The aid is programmed by the manufacturer according to the specifications recommended by your audiologist. Analog/programmable hearing aids have more than one program or setting. An audiologist can program the aid using a computer, and you can change the program for different listening environments—from a small, quiet room to a crowded restaurant to large, open areas, such as a theater or stadium. Analog/programmable circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids. Analog aids usually are less expensive than digital aids.
Digital aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, similar to the binary code of a computer, before amplifying them. Because the code also includes information about a sound’s pitch or loudness, the aid can be specially programmed to amplify some frequencies more than others. Digital circuitry gives an audiologist more flexibility in adjusting the aid to a user’s needs and to certain listening environments. These aids also can be programmed to focus on sounds coming from a specific direction. Digital circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids.
What questions should I ask before buying a hearing aid?
Before you buy a hearing aid, ask your audiologist these important questions:
• What features would be most useful to me?
• What is the total cost of the hearing aid? Do the benefits of newer technologies outweigh the higher costs?
• Is there a trial period to test the hearing aids?
• How long is the warranty? Can it be extended? Does the warranty cover future maintenance and repairs?
• Can the audiologist make adjustments and provide servicing and minor repairs? Will loaner aids be provided when repairs are needed?
• What instruction does the audiologist provide?
How can I care for my hearing aid?
Proper maintenance and care will extend the life of your hearing aid. Make it a habit to:
• Keep hearing aids away from heat and moisture.
• Clean hearing aids as instructed. Earwax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid.
• Avoid using hairspray or other hair care products while wearing hearing aids.
• Turn off hearing aids when they are not in use.
• Replace dead batteries immediately.
• Keep replacement batteries and small aids away from children and pets.
