What Types of Hearing Aids Are Used for Severe Hearing Loss?
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 5 to 10 percent of hearing loss in adults (and a somewhat higher percentage in children) can be treated medically or surgically. For others with severe hearing loss, hearing aids can be very beneficial.
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Types
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There are three types of technology used in hearing aids today: conventional analog, analog programmable and digital programmable.
Identification
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Conventional analog aids are set to respond to a particular sound frequency determined by an audiologist. For an analog programmable unit, the audiologist will pre-set several levels of amplification. Digital programmable hearing aids use digitized sound processing to differentiate between speech and noise.
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Benefits
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Conventional analog hearing aids amplify all sounds equally, which can be a problem in a noisy environment. Analog programmable aids allow the user to push a button and change to an amplification that improves hearing in a particular setting. Digital programmable hearing aids modify signals to reduce distortion from unwanted noise.
Considerations
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Digital programmable hearing aids are best for modifying sounds to match a person's specific hearing impairment but are the most expensive. Many people are happy with less expensive conventional or programmable analog hearing aids.
Tips
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It's important to select an audiologist certified by the American-Speech-Language Association to ensure you have the right hearing aid for your lifestyle.
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