Audiologist Clinton Nottingham answers the top questions he encounters in the audiology clinic.
Do I really need hearing aids?
Most people are pretty surprised with what modern hearing aids can do. If you are noticing problems understanding people in noise, or speech isn’t as clear and crisp as it used to be, the answer is probably yes. You should start with a professional hearing assessment, which is similar to an individual optometry prescription, so you have the ‘evidence’ of a hearing loss. Even those with mild hearing losses notice a big improvement in their ability to concentrate and follow conversation with hearing aids. If you have doubts, most good hearing aid companies offer a money back guarantee period. There are a small proportion of people with ongoing ear problems who would not be suitable for hearing aids, and should be medically treated first.
My Aunt’s hearing aids whistle all the time. Why does whistling happen?
Your Aunts hearing aids were most likely ten years old. There have been many advancements in technology in the meantime and most hearing aids are tiny, but still employ good feedback (whistling) cancellers. Feedback occurs because the sound from the speaker is picked up by the microphone, the same way as the screech of microphones on a music stage. Well-adjusted hearing aids don’t whistle.
So it really depends how bad your hearing is. For those with mild hearing loss, feedback will not be a problem. For moderate or severe hearing losses, feedback can be tricky business. If the user requires more volume this increases the likelihood that feedback will occur. There are two main solutions. Firstly, turn down the volume – which isn’t ideal as it makes speech much softer. Secondly, providing a decent seal in the ear canal. The open fitting hearing aid may not be possible without some sound leaking out of the ear creating sharp chirps. It sometimes is a trade-off. A hearing professional would need to see the shape of your ear canal and a hearing test to make specific recommendations to eliminate feedback. The fool proof solution – a custom fitting plastic earmold.
I’m not comfortable with computers and technology. Do I have to program hearing aids myself?
We often have this question from people worried about their level of competency with technology. We have an award winning self-fit hearing aid system but its use is optional. If you don’t want to use the computer you don’t have to. We’ll set them up for you, and you never have to adjust them again. Of course, it would be a good idea to see our audiologists in clinic every year to ensure they are optimally set.
How long do batteries last?
Most hearing aid batteries last for about one week. It depends how much volume (power) you are using and how close they are to maximum capacity. Like a car that is driven in first gear uses more fuel, using a device at its voltage limits will flatten the battery quicker. Some hearing aids have rechargeable batteries, which is a great idea, but they are usually quite expensive models.
Are speaker-in-the-ear hearing aids suitable for me?
Yes, for most people they are. It depends on your level of hearing. We will look at your audiogram (prescription) before purchasing to give you some preliminary advice. If you have any worse than a moderate flat loss, or any middle ear problem, you might find the volume too soft to gain any meaningful benefit.