After an evaluation and diagnosis, your hearing professional will recommend the best treatment methods for your level of hearing loss and lifestyle.
Depending upon your needs, there are a variety of options—more sophisticated and effective than ever before—that can help amplify sound so that you hear more of what you want to hear. Here are some of the options your hearing professional may recommend (and one they will not):
Hearing Aids
These are small amplifying instruments that you wear in or on the ear. There are a variety of types and styles of hearing aids available, with a wide range of technological features designed to improve understanding of speech in nearly every setting. Today’s hearing aids are smaller and smarter than ever, using digital technology engineered to help sort and process sounds, reduce background noise and focus on and amplify meaningful sounds—such as specific sounds in the spectrum of speech.
Assistive Listening Devices
While hearing aids may be your primary form of listening assistance, there are times when you may need additional technology for effective communication*. Assistive listening devices will help you hear in a crowded room or group setting, listen to the TV with or without the use of hearing aids, amplify the telephone, or hear better in an auditorium or other large public place.
Cochlear Implants
Used since the 1960s, a cochlear implant is an electronic device that is surgically implanted to improve hearing in those who have a profound or severe hearing loss. An external microphone picks up sound from the environment. A speech processor filters the sound and an electrical signal is transmitted to the implanted receiver and stimulator. This sends the signals as electric impulses through the cochlea to the brain.
Alerts and Other Safety Devices
Many other devices exist to help make you aware of sounds occurring in your home, such as the doorbell, fire alarm or alarm clock. Especially valuable at night when you are not wearing your hearing aids, these devices can signal you with flashing lights, horns, vibrations or fans. Your hearing professional can help you find information about these items.
Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAP)
These unregulated devices, available on television or at various retail stores, look like a hearing aid or a cell phone accessory. Though they may be marketed as hearing aid devices, they are not, as defined by FDA guidelines. “A PSAP is a wearable electronic product that is not intended to compensate for impaired hearing, but rather is intended for non-hearing impaired consumers to amplify sounds in the environment for a number of reasons, such as for recreational activities.**” They are not recommended for people with hearing loss.
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