A hearing aids is an electronic device designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss. Firstly, sound is taken in through a miniature microphone where the sound is converted into an electronic, digital signal. Secondly, signal is processed, boosted, and modified to meet the user’s hearing loss. These can be considered as medical device and are fitted behind the ear or in the ear.

Hearing aids are most useful for those with hearing loss brought on by damage to the tiny sensory cells in the inner ear, known as hair cells, in terms of enhancing hearing and speech comprehension. Sensorineural hearing loss is the name given to this kind of hearing loss. The weakening may be brought on by illness, ageing, or trauma from noise or specific medications.

Hearings aids are broadly helpful in the cases of sensorineural hearing loss. Though the hearing aids cannot restore the normal hearing but certainly improve the hearing of soft sounds by amplifying, which you were missing.

Hearing aids have three parts

• Microphone - It recieves the sound and converts into digital signals
• Amplifier - It increasses the strength of the digital signal
• Receiver - It produces the amplified sound to the ear

Certain signs and symptoms may help you identify if you have hearing loss-

• Muffling of speech and other sounds
• Frequently asking others to repeat or speak slowly, clearly and loudly.
• Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd.
• Avoidance of social gatherings.
• Withdrawal from conversations.
• Trouble hearing consonants.

• Receiver-In-Canal(RIC)-Small, discreet and quick to fit. Perfect for First time hearing aids users.
• Behind-The-Ear(BTE)-Most common hearing aid style. Available in standard, mini or power.
• Invisible in the Canal(IIC)-Rest in the second bend of the ear canal where these are not visible (can see them).
• Completely-In-Canal(CIC)-Only the tiny removal handle of the hearing aid shows outside of the ear canal.
• In-The-Canal(ITC)-Custom hearing aid that fits in the ear canal. Smaller portion shows in the outer ear.
• In-The-Ear(ITE)-Custom hearing aid that fits within the outer portion of the ear.

Hearing aids work differently depending upon the electronics used. These are basically two types

Analog- These hearing aids work by making sound waves louder. They amplify all sounds, including noise as well (background sounds) as speech, in the same manner. The receiver then sends the amplified sounds into your ears as it is.

Digital- The technology in digital hearing aids operates a bit differently than the analog models. Tiny, powerful computers in the hearing device convert sounds into digital signals through binary code and produce a precise duplication of the sounds. The sophisticated technology in the device gives them the ability to differentiate between environmental sounds and speech sounds. This improves the performance of the hearing aid by allowing it to filter out background noise and feedback.

Analog hearing aid makes continuous soundwaves louder. These hearing aid essentially amplify all sounds (e.g.: Speech and noise) in the same way. As the listening environment changes, the hearing aid settings may be changed by pushing  a   button on the hearing aid.    These are mostly used traditionally and less common. Digital hearing aids are common. They have all the features of analogue programmable aids, but they convert sound waves into digital signals. Microchips in digital hearing aids analyses speech and other environmental sounds and store multiple program settings.

The digital hearing aids allow for more complex sound processing during the amplification process which may improve performance in certain situations, such as background noise and whistle reduction. They also have greater flexibility in be matched to the needs for a specific pattern of hearing loss.

Before deciding for a hearing aid, it is suggested that you get your hearing test done. After this you and your audiologist should select that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Price is also a key factor as hearing aids range from hundreds to lakhs of rupees. Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost. However, don’t use price alone to determine the best hearing aid for you. Just because one hearing aid is more expensive than another doesn’t necessarily mean that it will better suit your needs.

Do  check  services covered like warranty, insurance on the device maintenance & repair costs, upgrade opportunities and customer service.

Proper maintenance and care will definitely extend the life of your hearing aid.

• Always keep hearing aids away from heat and moisture. Use of dehumidifier kits help to absorb moisture and disinfect.
• Clean hearing aids as instructed. Ear wax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid.
• Avoid using hair spray or other hair care products while wearing hearing aids.
• Remove hearing aids while sleeping
• 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.

Binaural means pertaining to two ears. Binaural hearing helps us to localize the direction of sounds and bring more speech clarity.

Hearing aids are categorized as class 1 medical devices by the food and drug administration (FDA). Hearing amplifiers, on the other hand are not medical devices and are not regulated by the FDA.

Hearing aid includes input from a hearing professional, such as an audiologist. Hearing amplifier does not require a prescription or a visit to a hearing aid professional.

Unlike hearing aid with conventional disposable batteries, rechargeable hearing aids have built -in- batteries, that don’t need to be taken out on a regular basis. In a manner similar to how the mobile phones recharge, you dock your hearing aids on a charging unit rather than removing the batteries directly.

• No additional cost of batteries.
• Hassel free convenient use.
• All day continuous use without keeping stock of batteries.
• Environment friendly.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in rechargeable hearing aids.

Yes,recharge able lithium-ion batteries are a safe and dependable source that can be recharged many times when used under normal/standard conditions. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in mobiles, tablets etc. Problems may arise when batteries suffer damage by being exposed to water, high temperature, and physical damage.

Essentially, hearing aids include three parts that allow them to work- the microphone, amplifier, and receiver. Hearing aids amplify sounds via these three parts. First, the microphone receives natural sound and then converts this into a digital signal. Then, the amplifier works to increase the strength of this signal. And finally, the speaker is used to produce amplified sound in the user’s ears.

Many people with hearing loss first notice they are asking their friends and family to repeat more frequently, or they feel everyone around them is mumbling. Getting your hearing evaluated is the first step to treatment. Your audiologist will test your hearing to help determine if you have hearing loss and if you can benefit from hearing aids.

The life of a hearing aid is about five years. It is important to have regular appointments to ensure your hearing aid is functioning and programmed properly. Many hearing aids are still functioning well after 5-7 years, while others may need re-programming, repair, or replacement.

Each person’s experience will be different. Hearing aid can help you hear sounds you have not heard before (or have not heard for many years). relearning takes place in the central auditory system, and the brain needs some time to sort out any new information entering the ears. You will have to use min. 3-4 weeks which allows time to adjust to your hearing aid and evaluate their benefit. Based on your experience, programming changes can be made to help with the adjustment process. Most patients require several weeks of consistent hearing aid use to adjust to their new hearing aids.

Hearing aid can make understanding speech much easier. However, they do not restore the natural functioning of your ear.

Hearing aid can have rechargeable batteries (lithium ion) or use disposable batteries (zinc air). Rechargeable hearing aid come with a charger that plugs into an outlet or USB for patients to charge their hearing aid. If you chose a model that uses disposable batteries, the batteries can be purchased at hearing aid centers as well as online retailers, such as amazon, flipkart etc.

Here’s why two hearing aids can be better than one:

• Better hearing in a noisy environment: research has shown that speech understanding in noisy environments is optimized when the brain receives sound input from both ears.
• Improved ability to localize sounds: the brain uses the sound input from both ears to help determine the direction of the sound source. Having a hearing aid in only one ear can alter this sense of direction
  making it more difficult to localize sound.

One hearing aid is probably suggested if a person has hearing loss in one ear and normal or near normal hearing in the other ear. However, two hearing aids would most likely be advised when hearing loss is present in both the ears, whether it is same level or a different level in each ear, because with the help of binaural hearing aid user will get better sound localization, balance hearing and best sound quality.

Yes, you can wear hearing aid whole day. But it is recommended to remove hearing aid while sleeping and bathing.

earKART offers certain benefits when you buy earKART’s products. Under such benefits you can exchange your existing hearing aid with our upgraded device by paying the differential.

Yes, earKART offers one-year free insurance on hearing aid.

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