Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
Hearing loss is any alteration in hearing capacity and is categorized by degree and type. Degrees of hearing loss include mild, moderate, severe and profound. Types of hearing loss are classified as conductive, sensory, mixed or central. The most common type of hearing loss is sensory, directly related to aging of the hearing organ and is commonly referred to as presbycusis. Hearing loss can occur due to any alteration in the outer, middle or inner ear.
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Improved Performance and Comfort With Digital Hearing Aids
Those with a loss of hearing will benefit from the use of a hearing aid. Today’s digital hearing aids contain sophisticated noise management systems and directional microphones. They can more easily respond to changes in the sound environment while maintaining settings optimized for speech understanding. The result is improved performance and comfort in more challenging listening environments.
Hearing Loss in Both Ears
If you have a loss of hearing in both ears, it is in your best interest to be fit in both ears (binaurally). The following is a listing of the many advantages of listening binaurally.
- Improved Speech Understanding
- Localization (who is speaking in a group, where a sound is coming from)
- Restful Listening
- Preserving Auditory Potential or maintaining auditory stimulation
- Binaural Input
Digital Hearing Aid Advancements
Digital hearing aids contain chips that are programmed via computer. If your hearing loss changes or progresses, the overall amplification of the hearing aid can be manipulated to meet those changes. A given hearing aid will typically last 3-5 years. Technological advances in hearing amplification are occurring continuously to better meet the needs of those with hearing loss.