Hearing aids help people with hearing loss hear better. Placed in or behind the ear, hearing aids are a constantly evolving technology, and are nowadays in fact small, high-tech computers which are being refined to provide an ever better artificial reproduction of natural human hearing.
What can be done about hearing loss
Hearing loss may sound like a daunting diagnosis, but fortunately, its effects can be remedied. A range of hearing technologies are available, becoming increasingly advanced and adapting to the needs of hearing loss.
Hearing care professionals, practitioners and experts constantly work to identify and prevent hearing loss on time, as well as finding the most suitable hearing instruments for patients.
Hearing aids
The uptake of hearing aids is on the rise, thanks to a growing share of the population taking action and seeking professional, high quality hearing care. But despite significant progress in recent years, more than 60% of persons living with hearing loss still do not receive the care they need. Therefore, with the right enabling environment, even more people could benefit from proper hearing care.
Benefits of hearing aids
Persons using hearing technologies self-report significant improvements in their daily lives, for example:
Over 90% find hearing aids useful in their jobs.
Two out of three have greater confidence moving in public spaces.
Less stress, physical and mental exhaustion, fewer depressive episodes.
Higher participation in group activities: Around 70% of users say their hearing aids help them manage situations in a difficult listening environment such as conversations in large groups, being on the telephone, or in a large public space.
Types of hearing aids
Different types of hearing aids are available, but before choosing the most suitable kind, you should firstly ask yourself a few questions: What is the type of hearing loss am I dealing with, how severe is it ,and what kind of lifestyle am I following? These factors are critical to finding which type of hearing aid is right for you. Following a hearing test, a hearing health professional can determine which kind of hearing aid will be the most beneficial and convenient for your needs.
There are three main types of hearing aids: Behind-the-ear (BTE), In-the-ear (ITE), and Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE).
Behind-the-ear (BTE)
A BTE can be recommended for people with any degree of hearing loss. Its main characteristic is that its components (battery holder, microphone, and controls) are adapted behind the ear, with a tube connecting them to the earmold. The advantage of BTEs is that their earmolds can be easily changed. Therefore, they are suitable for children whose earmolds must be frequently replaced as they grow.
Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)
A RITE hearing aid works like a BTE, but instead of an earmold, a receiver sits directly in the ear canal, connected to the casing via a small, barely visible electrical wire. This makes RITE’s more discreet than BTE devices. RITEs are suitable for all degrees of hearing loss and the receiver’s power level can be adjusted to meet individual needs.
In-the-ear (ITE)
An ITE is the most discreet hearing aid, as it has no wires or tubes, but is designed to sit directly in the ear canal. It is covered by a lightweight plastic shell. Apart from ITE, there is also the completely-in-the-canal (CIC) which is even tinier. ITE is designed for those with moderate to profound hearing loss, while CIC is for people who have light to moderate hearing loss.
Implants
Hearing implants are used when a person has hearing loss, but would not benefit from the sound amplification of hearing aids. This can be the case with a damaged or non-existent auditory nerve or for those who for some other reason are unable to wear hearing aids, such as difficulty inserting the ear mould or inability to cope with signals when surrounded by noise.
Hearing implants are advanced hearing solutions typically implanted through surgery. They bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. One part of the system is implanted (the implant or internal part) and the other part is an externally placed sound processor/audio processor that sits on the head.
Implants are suitable for any age group with severe hearing problems. Typically, children can receive cochlear implants from around 12 months (or under special circumstances even earlier). For adults, there is no age limit.
Cochlear implants (CI)
A cochlear implant bypasses damaged hair cells in the inner ear and transmits signals directly to the brain by connecting straight to the auditory nerve.
Cochlear implants make it possible for people to hear sounds even if they have damaged hair cells in the inner ear and have a severe or a profound sensorineural hearing loss.
Bone conduction devices
A bone conduction device is a hearing implant that converts sounds into vibrations sent to the inner ear via the bones in the head.
Bone conducted hearing solutions are typically used by people who have a conductive hearing loss or a mixed hearing loss and whose outer ear or middle ear are not able to conduct sound properly into the inner ear.
Middle ear implants (MEI)
A middle ear implant is a hearing device that picks up sounds with a sound processor / audio processor that sits on the head and converts sounds into mechanical stimulation of the ossicles of the middle ear.
It makes the structures in the middle ear vibrate in much the same way as normal sounds move the bones in the middle ear by converting sounds into vibrations.
Auditory brainstem implants (ABI)
An auditory brainstem implant (also known as an ABI) is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is unable to hear because of a non-functioning or non-existent auditory nerve.
Treating hearing loss in children
Hearing loss can occur at any stage of life. It can start during adolescence, the first years of childhood, even before birth. The factors are diverse, such as genetics, prenatal or perinatal complications (e.g. intrauterine infections, birth asphyxia, low-birth weight, etc.), other chronic ear diseases, noise exposure, or unsafe listening habits.
Hearing loss can be especially detrimental for children
Children’s brains develop quickly, and sound inputs are critical for the development of the brain’s neural pathways for hearing, speech and language. Untreated hearing loss strongly affects a child’s ability to understand, speak, learn, socialise and communicate. If a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, it is extremely important that they start using hearing aids as soon as possible, and for as much of the day as possible
All major manufacturers have developed different types of hearing aids specifically for children
From babies, infants and toddlers to school children and teenagers.
Choosing the right hearing aid (type, size and style) depends on the type and degree of a child’s hearing loss. The choice should always be made in close dialogue with hearing professionals. Most hearing aids for children are behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTEs) with an ear mould in the ear canal, so that the components can be exchange quickly as the child’s ears grow.
For smaller children, a hearing aid should be easy to use.
The hearing aids, including the earmolds, must be robust and able to withstand the impact of normal playing, but also be resistant to dust and moisture.
Some children who use hearing aids may also need help from a speech therapist and other health professionals, especially if the hearing loss is more severe or profound.
Connected and assistive listening
Most digital hearing aids let you connect directly or indirectly to other electronic devices. You can then use assistive listening devices to improve your hearing in different settings.
The available solutions depend on the hearing aid manufacturer and the specific hearing aid.
Bluetooth
Many hearing aids can connect to other electronic devices via Bluetooth, making it possible to stream sounds (e.g. music), directly into the hearing aids. The next generation of Bluetooth, LE Audio, will provide broadcasting of signals from many types of media to any user of hearing aids in the range of the transmitter.
FM systems or line-in options (mini-jack)
These are typically connected to the hearing aids via a special device that transmits wireless signals. Transmitters can be connected to your TV, your computer, your stereo or radio, and hereby send signals directly or indirectly into your hearing aids. Certain devices can also be placed on tables or elsewhere at meetings, conferences or lectures, sending the sound straight into a hearing aid.
Smartphones
Smartphones and other mobile phones can often be linked to your hearing aids as wireless connection via Bluetooth becomes more and more common. When your phone is connected to your hearing aids, the signals from the phone are sent directly into the hearing aid. An app for your phone is often available together with the hearing aid, letting you control and adjust your hearing aid via the app.
T-coil and loop systems
Some hearing aids are equipped with telecoils (T-coils), letting the hearing aids connect to a loop system. A loop system is a special type of sound system for people who use hearing aids. Typically, loop systems can be found in meeting rooms, auditoriums, theatres, cinemas, places of worship and other public places.
