| Source – http://www.healthyhearing.com/answers/hearing_aids.asp |
| Hearing aids
1) What are the most common hearing aid styles? There are many styles of hearing aids. The most common styles are listed below: ITE: In-The-Ear units are often the most comfortable, the least expensive and the easiest to operate. They are also the largest of the custom made styles. ITC: In-The-Canal units are usually more expensive than ITEs. They require good dexterity to control the volume wheel and they are smaller than ITEs. MC: Mini-Canals are the size between ITC and CIC. A mini canal is a good choice when you desire the smallest possible hearing aid with a tiny volume wheel. CIC: Completely-In-the-Canal units are the tiniest hearing aids made. They require a “removal string” due to their small size and the fact that they fit deeply into the ear canal. CICs can be difficult to remove without the pull string. CICs do not usually have manual controls attached to them because they are too small. BTE: Behind-The-Ear hearing aids are the largest hearing aids, often the least expensive, and they are very reliable. BTEs have the most circuit options and they typically offer more power than custom made units. BTEs rest on the back of your ear. They are connected to the ear canal via custom-made plastic tubing; the earmold. The earmold is usually custom made from an ear impression to perfectly replicate the size and shape of your ear. PAC: Post-auricular-canal instrument. This is a new hearing aid design which physically separates the processor from the receiver/speaker. This design offers comfort and acoustic options as the tiny processor is placed behind the ear, and the receiver/speaker is placed deep in the ear canal. 2)How should I care for and maintain my hearing aids? More than 75 percent of all hearing aid repairs are due to moisture and earwax accumulating in the hearing aid. The vast majority of these repairs are 100 percent preventable. It is extremely important to clean the entire hearing aid every time it is removed from your ear by wiping and brushing it. To better protect your investment, use a DRY-AID kit every night! Electronic dry-aid kits are the best. They include a germicidal light that kills most bacteria and other germs. They also have desiccants to absorb moisture and fans to circulate air around the internal components of the hearing aid. Get in the habit of cleaning the hearing aid after each use and keeping the hearing aid in the dry-aid kit at night. The hearing aid is electronic and moisture is the enemy! Preventive maintenance is the key to trouble free, long life from a hearing aid. A well maintained hearing aid can easily last 5 to 7 years, maybe longer. 3)How often do I need to change the batteries in my hearing aids? Batteries should be changed about every ten to 14 days. The exact schedule for changing batteries depends on the amount of time the hearing aids are worn and the power consumed over time. Most new digital hearing aids have battery warning indicators. Before the battery goes out, the hearing aid will “beep, beep, beep” to tell you you have another hour or two before the battery fails. Using excellent, fresh batteries is important, and changing batteries should take no more than 60 seconds. 4)How long do hearing aids last? The most common repairs required by hearing aids are based on dirt and debris blocking the microphones and the receivers. In other words, the majority of repairs required are sue to poor/low maintenance. Your hearing healthcare professional will review with you how to maintain your hearing aids, how to keep them clean and dry, how to change batteries etc. Nonetheless, if the hearing aids are well maintained, generally speaking, they can last 5 to 7 years. 5)What are the different styles of hearing aids? In general, there are 4 basic styles of hearing aids… Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal (ITC), Completely in the Canal (CIC). There are variations on the four basic styles. Your hearing healthcare professional (audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser) will work with you to help you decide on the best style for you, based on your needs and desires. |