|
Home / Health / Diseases and Conditions
Who Can Benefit from Hearing Aids?
By:Thomas Henricks
A hearing aid is just an instrument that amplifies sound waves enough to be processed by the components of our hearing system. In many persons a natural loss of hearing occurs with the aging process. Occasionally some people are born with defective or missing components and that results in the inability to hear anything at all. This type of hearing loss will not be improved through the use of typical hearing aids offered to the general public.
Most often the onset of hearing loss is slow and gradual. As a result of that slow process and gradual degradation of hearing, some people may not even realize the fact that the hearing abilities are diminished until a very significant loss has occurred. In the early stages of loss of hearing many are not even aware of the fact that they could benefit from the assistance of a hearing aid.
On the other hand, some people are very aware of the fact that they have suffered significant hearing loss but resign themselves to living with diminished hearing capabilities. They simply prefer to live with the loss without assistance and are determined to live with the disability.
When Do You Need One?
Some instances of hearing loss are short term resulting from exposure to loud noises or due to something blocking the ear canal. Blockages can be cleared and minor damage often repairs without assistance. These types of hearing loss do not indicate the the need for a hearing aid. Some forms of damage caused by periods of exposure to excessive noise levels will mend itself over a brief recovery period.
It should be noted that even repeated exposures of this type will eventually lead to more permanent hearing loss and the inability of the system to fully recover. Physical obstructions are generally a temporary disability that can be by a thorough irrigation of the ear canals or by removing any objects that may be blocking the canals. When these circumstances are the cause of hearing loss, a hearing aid would not be beneficial.
Ongoing hearing loss that is experienced over extended periods of time where there is no apparent external physical damage would be a sign of the need for more serious and long term action. In these instances, a full examination should be conducted by a hearing specialist or audiologist. This will require a very thorough evaluation. These usually entail tests for hearing capabilities through a wide range of frequencies. In many cases of hearing loss, not all hearing frequencies are affected.
The testing equipment available today permits hearing aids to be finely tuned and is capable of amplifying sounds in targeted frequencies ranges. This capability means that only sounds that require amplification are modified. The end result is that the sound reproduction more closely represents the natural hearing system.
Many Styles and Applications
The options for hearing aids actually vary considerably. You will find lower cost hearing aids that have been commonly available for many years. These are not tuned for specific frequencies and amplify all sound. In recent years, the specific frequency tuning capability has allowed a much more acceptable alternative. Other features to consider include various physical applications that permit mounting behind the ear, completely inside the ear canal or a compromise between these two styles.
By consulting with a specialist an audiologist or hearing aid technician, you will be able to determine what your specific hearing aid needs are and what style can fit your budget.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: hearing aids
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
For more information about Hearing Aids please visit Hearing Aids
For more information about Senior Health please visit Eldercare
|
|
| Top Diseases and Conditions Articles |
- 1). Acid Reflux: What You Really Need To Know. By : Tyson J Stevenson
The formation of gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease.
|
- 2). Alcoholism— What Should I Know About It? By : Geoff Hugh
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a disease that affects the part of the brain that controls your feelings, the way you make decisions, and the way you act. People with alcoholism cannot control how much they drink. What causes alcoholism?
Nobody knows what causes alcoholism. People with parents who have alcoholism have a greater chance of getting the disease.
|
- 3). What is Anorexia By : Keith George
Self induced emotional eating disorder characterized by persistent loss of appetite is called anorexia. Excessive consciousness toward weight loss, counting calories and excessive exercises can lead to a severe emotional eating disorder called anorexia.
|
- 4). Alcoholism Disease Or Not? By : The Source
Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all of them stress the fact that there is a terrible disease that involves addiction to spirits. Apart from the physical dependence on alcohol, there are other psychological, genetic and social factors that may play a role in the development of alcoholism. Many social, economic and public health problems are determined by this very serious disease.
|
|
|
- 6). Gastritis Is More Than Indigestion By : Kevin Pederson
It is the inflammation of the stomach getting the defense system on roll. It would mean that the stomach is injured and the white blood cells move on the walls of the stomach for help. The inflammation can be caused due to an infection caused by bacterium which can lead to stomach ulcers. Any other injury can also cause such problems.
|
- 7). The Demonization Of Genital Herpes By : Christopher Scipio
Those of us who have so-called “genital herpes” are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand we are ostracized by the minority of the population (about 40%) who don’t currently have herpes simplex in their body, which is bad enough, but more cruelly we are often isolated by our fellow members of the herpes community who have so-called cold sores (heroes simplex 1 of the mouth and face).
|
- 8). I am a mouth ulcers By : Ryan Fyfe
Although it's not my favorite thing to be in the world, I am a mouth ulcer. My street name is most commonly: canker sore. I've got a fancy name, and that involves painful open sores that will exist in your mouth when the mucous membrane breaks. You might also choose to call me one of these other names: aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcer. Now that we have that out of the way.
|
|
|
- 10). HPV Virus By : Ryan Fyfe
Human Papilloma Ciruses (HPV) is a virus that infects humans. Some of the effects of the virus are associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STD's).
Over one hundred strains of the virus have been identified by Scientists. Most of these strains are harmless. Some of these strains can produce common skin warts which appear on the hands and feet.
|
| New Diseases and Conditions Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 4). Understanding Coeliac Disease By : Anne Wolski
Coeliac disease is a genetic condition that is caused by an inability to digest gluten. Hence the reason that this disease is also known as gluten intolerance.
|
|
|
- 6). Home Remedies For Breast Tenderness By : Kevin Pederson
A problem like breast tenderness may arise due to combination of factors like diet, nutrition, water, weight, age, menstrual cycle and fluctuating hormones. Studies conclude nearly three in four women suffer this discomfort at least once in their mature life.
|
|
|
- 8). Alzheimer’s Disease: What Every Family Needs to Know By : Douglas Hardwick
Alzheimer’s disease touches the lives of millions of Americans. Today, some 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and 1 in 10 families have a loved one afflicted with it. With no cure in sight, it is important for families to arm themselves with information about this devastating disease.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
