If you have a hearing impairment, a hearing aid is a life-changing device. The technology is nothing short of miraculous. A tiny computer chip connected to a microphone is the key component that amplifies sound. Some aids are designed to work with a Bluetooth and smartphone to receive calls and adjust hearing aid settings. Other accessories make it possible to listen to an MP3 player, television, or laptop.
Getting Started
The first step in obtaining a hearing aid is to contact your health insurance provider to find a specialist who's covered under your plan. When you go online or call your insurance company, request to be directed to an otolaryngologist, an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT). After verifying the doctor's participation in your plan, you can make your appointment. If you're a veteran, you should begin by contacting your local Veterans Affairs facility. You may be able to obtain a hearing aid at no cost, and only be responsible for an office visit co-pay. If you have Medicare Part B, and your primary care physician refers you to an ENT, Medicare will cover a diagnostic hearing evaluation by an ENT and audiologist. However, sad to say that Medicare won't pay for a routine hearing exam, hearing aid, or fitting.
Hearing Evaluation
Your ENT will examine your ears and ensure there are no abnormalities, such as an infection or tumor. He will also remove any wax accumulation to prepare you for a hearing test. The test will be performed by an audiologist, a doctor trained to diagnose and treat hearing loss. The audiologist will also fit you for your hearing aid, and perform maintenance and adjustments as needed.
Standard Features
The basic components of a hearing aid are a microphone, speaker, amplifier, program button, and battery. To see a labeled picture of a hearing aid, click here: Here's the job description of each part. The battery provides the operating power. The microphone picks up sound, which is strengthened by the amplifier. The speaker or "receiver" transmits sound to your ear. A program button stores various hearing aid settings tailored to different environments. You can change the setting for listening to music, television, and telephone conversation. You can also activate noise reduction.
Optional Features
Telecoil
A telecoil is a small wire that transmits sound from a telephone. It minimizes background sound and enables clearer conversation. A telecoil is also ideal for use in public places equipped with audio/induction loops. Examples are churches, theaters, and auditoriums. The telecoil picks up electromagnetic signals from the room and converts them into sound. It also cancels out background noise. An especially nice feature of a telecoil is its ability to eliminate "whistling" of the aid while using a phone. A telecoil can be manual or automatic, but to use it with a room loop, it must be manual. A program selector is an optional add-on that enables switching between the acoustic signal of phones and the magnetic signal of room loops.
Volume Control
Various designs are available:
- No volume control – a drawback with small models.
- Wheel or lever adjustable.
- Remote control access. This makes adjustment easy, since you can see and feel what you're doing.
- Memory volume control. With this feature, the hearing aid "learns" your volume habits. It adjusts the volume according to the settings you typically use in various situations.
Programs
A hearing aid can feature several sound programs, activated by push-button or remote control. The programs may use different settings for microphones, bass, treble, or volume. Options are:
- Automatic - Settings are automatically adjusted according to the environment, such as noisy or quiet. Automatic programs can be simple, switching between two settings. They can also be advanced, varying volume, pitch, and microphone mode.
- Quiet - Useful for one-on-one conversation or when alone.
- Noise - Eliminates background sound.
- Music - Designed for listening to music, with all its sound variations in tone, it improves sound quality.
- Telephone - May vary from reduction of high-pitched sounds to eliminating whistling. Can also involve selecting a telecoil or Bluetooth setting. If sophisticated, can automatically switch to a phone program as your ear approaches a telephone headset.
Types of Hearing Aids
The type of hearing aid your audiologist recommends will be based on your:
- ear canal size and shape
- degree of hearing loss
- manual dexterity
- lifestyle
- preference
- technological requirements
Hearing aid costs shown below are from June 2014 price guides. They include the typical fees for professional services of examination, advisement, fitting, training, and care. Be sure you know the total cost of your hearing aid and services before making a purchase.
Following are the various types of hearing aids currently available:
Tinnitus
A tinnitus hearing aid uses generators to create sound that reduces the buzzing and ringing of ear noise known as tinnitus. Price ranges from $1,500-$1,800.
IIC - Invisible in the Canal
The IIC fits well inside the ear canal and is not visible. It is easy to use with a phone. It requires manual dexterity to change the batteries, which have a short operating life. Price ranges from $1,695-$2,958.
CIC - Completely in the Canal
This model is small and hardly noticeable. The CIC has fewer controls and simpler technology than slightly larger hearing aids. It is designed for mild to moderate hearing loss. Because of its small size, the controls and battery can be challenging to handle. The battery has a relatively short life. The CIC does not have a telecoil. Price ranges from $1,365 to $2,860.
ITC - In the Canal
This device rests both inside and outside the ear, but it's barely visible. It can house more features than a CIC, including a telecoil. It's suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss. It is the easiest to manipulate. Battery life is relatively short. Price ranges from $1,700 to $2,860.
ITE - In the Ear
his style fits in the outer ear, and is visible. It is more powerful than the CIC and ITC, and serves mild to moderately severe hearing loss. The ITE has more room for features such as volume control and telecoil. It is easy to insert. Price ranges from $1,600 to $2,700.
BTE - Behind the Ear
- Small, “thin-tube” BTE’s have a thin tube leading into the ear. All the electronics are located behind your ear, within a banana-shaped case. They can be fitted with a “one-size-fits-all” dome ear tip, or with a small, custom-made ear piece. They are suited to all degrees of hearing loss. The thin-tube BTE is also termed "receiver in the aid" or "RITA." Price ranges from $1,200 to $2,700.
- The RIC (Receiver In Canal) hearing aid is a miniature version of the thin-tube BTE, and the least visible option. The receiver is located within the ear rather than behind it. It has 3 levels of amplification. It's a good choice for moderately severe to severe hearing loss. Controls, telecoil mode, and battery are easily accessed. Price ranges from $1,580 to $2,700.
- The Power BTE is the largest type, and is most commonly used for severe or profound hearing loss. It's ideal for the person who's often in loud social settings. Price ranges from $1,850 to $2,700.
BTE Benefits
Although the BTE is visible, it has many advantages over smaller hearing aids:
- Only the BTE will work with Bluetooth technology, which provides hands-free use of a telephone.
- The BTE can access sound from a television.
- A "direct audio" feature enables the BTE to connect with an FM radio, MP3 player, and other audio devices.
- The BTE comes in a waterproof design, which is an advantage if you enjoy activities where a hearing aid can get wet, such as fishing, swimming, and water sports.
Choosing Features
Your lifestyle is a major consideration regarding choice of hearing aid. If you:
- Often find yourself in noisy environments, consider a telecoil option and volume control.
- Are at risk for getting the hearing aid wet, consider a BTE style.
- Want something simple, opt for a CIC model.
- Prefer having lots of control and adjustment capability, consider a BTE style.
Brand Names
Following are the top brand names of hearing aids: Beltone, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Siemens, Sonic, Starkey, Unitron, and Widex.
Hearing Aid Shopping Tips
1. Discuss your activities and needs with your audiologist. 2. Determine what features are important to you. 3. Focus on features, not brands. 4. If your purchase involves a contract, be sure you read the fine print. Take note of:
- what's not covered, such as the cost of repair, replacement, batteries, and additional visits
- the length of the trial period during which you can exchange or return your hearing aid
- warranty length
- return fee
- a refund if you're not satisfied
5. Consider future needs. Ask whether the hearing aid has enough residual amplification in the event of worsening hearing loss. 6. Before leaving, ask for training and practice in removing and inserting the battery, cleaning and storing the aid, putting it into your ear, accessing controls and switches, and using the telephone while wearing it. Happy Hearing!
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