You've probably heard the old axiom about silence being golden, but for 20 million Americans struggling with hearing loss, silence is something they never want to face. To ensure they maintain some level of hearing, many of these Americans will buy a hearing aid. Due to assistance from a former American President, hearing aids are enjoying a greater level of acceptance. The appearance of the former president on national television wearing one of the new in-the-ear canal hearing aids really helped a lot of people. Of even greater significance is the fact that he let into having hearing issues.
Of the estimated 20 million hearing-impaired Americans, only 12.4, or a little over half, wear hearing amplification devices. It takes an average of five years for those who know they have a hearing problem to take action and look for solutions, according to a well-known audiologist. Hearing aids have a stigma attached to them that make them undesirable. Besides the fact that hearing aids are associated adversely with getting older, many people think of them as bulky and unattractive devices.
Though many associate it with older people, it is common to see children suffering from hearing loss as well. The hearing aids of today are very different from those of the past 50 years. There are many new options available to help a larger variety of patients be able to hear. One of the most recent, tiniest versions of the hearing aid is called the canal aid. Since the previously mentioned former president wore that type of hearing aid, it was commonly referred to as the Reagan aid.
Developed only a short time ago, the canal aid is tremendously innovative, is custom fit to each ear canal, is hard to see when worn, and is extremely lightweight. The doctor stated that the canal aid is meant to amplify high pitched sounds and is not intended for the most serious cases of hearing loss.
It is attractive in a cosmetic sense because it is small and hard to see, but the very fact it has been so miniaturized causes other problems. The overall production volume of the ear canal aid is somewhat limited and can be it can be difficult to increase the quality control. It's just not possible for manufacturers to produce great quantities of this style at a price that is near that of other hearing aids. Canal aids may be the biggest fad in the hearing aid market, but they are not the biggest seller. As of today, the behind-the-ear model is the most popular type. A recent poll taken by the national hearing aid society indicates that this kind of hearing aid represents roughly 52 percent of the market.
About half, or some 50 percent, of aids are the in the ear ones and include the canal aids. For cosmetic purposes, men usually select the canal aid and women choose the behind the ear type because it can be covered over by their hair. Behind the ear models may be the mot popular type of hearing aid, but there are other types which are still available.
It is important to have a professional diagnosis to make sure there's a hearing problem before purchasing any hearing aid. A specialist needs to clear you medically for having a hearing aid. The audiologist we talked to can give permission if she wishes, although she claims a specialist will be better suited to diagnosing ear problems.
Consulting your doctor is crucial since there are times when hearing impairment is the direct result of an ear infection or similar issue that needs surgical or special medical attention. While state law does require a prescription when ordering a hearing aid, you do not have to undergo a medical examination if you sign the proper waiver.
But, anyone purchasing a hearing aid in the absence of a doctor's authorization will have the waiver read out loud to him or her by the hearing aid vendor who will also tell the customer that he or she is proceeding against his own best interest. The hearing aid dealer may legally test a client for a hearing loos, and fit them with a hearing aid, once the client understands what the waiver is and signs it. When buying a new aid, specialists strongly advise that a certified audiologist is conferred in for the right testing. Testing services are also available at some hearing aid dispensaries.
Before deciding to buy a certain type of aid, the purchaser should see if a hearing aid trial period is available. The trial period may or may not be free for the buyer. Despite the fact that hearing aids are become more advanced, less obtrusive and more widely accepted, audiologists emphasize that they are only able to amplify sound, not reverse hearing loss. She remarked on how they are wonderful devices, but also made a point to remind prospective consumers that hearing aids simply boost sound without restoring hearing, unlike eyeglasses (which help to restore vision).
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