How To Choose A Hearing Aid

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A hearing aid is a small electronic device placed behind or in your ear to help you hear better. It contains a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker. A hearing aid can help you if you have mild or moderate hearing loss. You may need a hearing aid in both ears.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or audiologist as directed:

You may need appointments to adjust your hearing aid or to check for any changes in your hearing. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

How to choose a hearing aid:

The type of aid that is best for you may depend on the type of hearing loss you have. It may also depend on other factors such as how well you can handle small objects and your lifestyle. There are different sizes of hearing aids. You will want to choose a hearing aid that you can handle well. Some hearing aids cause more feedback than others. Feedback is a whistling sound that comes out of the ear mold when it does not fit properly. This feedback makes it harder for you to hear.

Types of hearing aids:

• Behind the ear: A small plastic case rests behind your ear. It is connected by a tube to a molded plastic piece that fits inside your ear. This hearing aid has larger controls and dials. This aid may fall off when you are active, and it is hard to use with headphones.
  
  
• In the ear: This plastic case fits inside your ear. It fits securely and may not be as easy to see as some other hearing aids.
  
  
• In the canal: This aid fits halfway into your ear canal and is well hidden. It may be hard to use a telephone with this aid.
  
  
• Completely in the canal: This aid fits entirely into the ear canal and is very hard to see.

How to take care of your hearing aid:

• Change the batteries as needed: Batteries may need to be changed every 1 to 2 weeks.
  
  
• Learn how to use the hearing aid: Learn how to use the features on the hearing aid, such as the volume, power, and special settings. Ask how the hearing aid should be cleaned and maintained. When you learn how to use and care for the hearing aid, you can make sure that it is working properly.

Ways to hear better:

• Learn about other listening devices: An assistive listening device (ALD) may be used with hearing aids to help you hear better. Ask for more information about the use of ALDs.
  
  
• Ask people to face you directly when they speak to you: Ask people not to cover their mouths as they speak. When you are in a group setting, sit in a location where you can clearly see the faces of the people who are talking. Ask people not to speak loudly or shout when they speak to you if they do this. People should speak using their usual tone and volume.
  
  
• Avoid feedback: Earwax, dirt, or an ear infection can make feedback worse. Feedback can also worsen if there is an object close to your ear, such as clothing. You may also get feedback if the volume of your hearing aid is too high.
  
  
• Give yourself time to get used to your hearing aid: It can take 3 months or longer to get used to the hearing aid and to get used to hearing better.

For more information:

• American Hearing Research Foundation
  8 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 814
  Chicago , IL 60603-4539
  Phone: 1- 312 - 726-9670
  Web Address: http://www.american-hearing.org
  

• Better Hearing Institute
  1444 I Street NW, Suite 700
  Washington , DC 20005
  Phone: 1- 202 - 449-1100
  Web Address: www.betterhearing.org
  

Contact your primary healthcare provider or audiologist if:

• You still have problems hearing even when you use your hearing aids.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.