Hearing aid accessories

Other ways to customize your hearing aids exist, including:

• Directional microphones. These microphones pick up sounds coming from in front of you better than coming from behind or beside you. This technology improves your ability to hear when you're in an environment with a lot of background noise. Typically you'll have both a regular microphone and a directional microphone, so you can switch between the two types. This might require a larger hearing aid to accommodate the two microphones.
• Telephone adapters. This technology, also referred to as telecoils, makes it easier to hear when talking on the telephone. Flipping a switch directs your hearing aid to eliminate sounds from your environment and pick up sounds from the telephone only. Keep in mind that this technology works only with telephones designated as hearing aid compatible — most cordless phones and cell phones aren't.

All FAQ

Getting used to a hearing aid takes time. Your listening skills should improve gradually as you become accustomed to amplification. The sound you hear is different because it's amplified. Even your own voice sounds strange when you wear a hearing aid.

One common misconception is that the aid restores normal hearing just as corrective lenses restore normal vision. Hearing aids do not restore hearing to normal. As a general rule, a hearing aid usually improves hearing by one-half of the loss.

When you first get your hearing aid, start slowly by listening to the radio or TV in a quiet room. This will give you an idea of how well the device can help you. Then move on to more-challenging environments. Starting off in a loud restaurant, for instance, can be frustrating and confusing.

You may find in some situations that it's best just to remove your hearing aid. When background noise is very loud, hearing aids can be more annoying than useful.

All FAQ

In situations of severe to profound nerve deafness, cochlear implants — which help compensate for damaged or nonworking parts of the inner ear — can improve hearing. Cochlear implants have improved in the last several years. If your hearing loss is so severe that conventional hearing aids can't help you, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant. Talk to your audiologist about this option.

All FAQ

Hearing aid research is going on all the time. Better instruments and better circuits are being developed right now. If you have hearing loss, don't wait to get help. Just like computers, there will always be something better in the future.

Implantable hearing aids are being developed that will be completely under the skin. These hearing aids will require surgery but aren't yet available. Cochlear implant-hearing aid hybrids are being investigated for people who have mild loss at some frequencies but can't hear some sounds at all. There also are new developments in other devices that help you hear better when hearing aids aren't enough. Ask your audiologist about assistive devices for TVs, phones, fire alarms or anything else you want to hear better.

All FAQ