If you’re like most people, you probably take your hearing for granted. You might not realize it until something interferes with your ability to hear. Hearing loss is a real and growing problem globally, affecting one in five people over the age of 65, and one in three adults over the age of 75. If you haven’t noticed any changes in your hearing yet, that doesn’t mean you won’t at some point.
As even subtle hearing loss can have lasting effects on your social interactions and your performance at work or school. Making informed decisions about hearing aids is crucial; after all, they are not cheap! The first step to purchasing them in determining whether or not you need them in the first place. But how do you know? Here are some tips on how to tell if you need hearing aids or other hearing protection devices.
Determine the Cause of Your Hearing Loss
A key first step in determining whether you need hearing aids in determining the cause of your hearing loss. This can help you decide whether or not you need a hearing aid in the first place, and it can also help you decide which type of hearing aid is best for you. The two most common types of hearing loss are sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss.
- Sensorineural hearing loss. If you have this type of hearing loss, it means that the tiny hair cells in your inner ear that pick up sound vibrations and send them to your brain have been damaged or died. This type of hearing loss is often caused by aging, constant exposure to loud noise, a virus or other illness, or genetics. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent and cannot be reversed, but certain hearing aids are designed to help people with it hear better.
- Conductive hearing loss. If you have this type of hearing loss, it means that the pathway that sound takes from the outer ear to the inner ear is blocked. This type of hearing loss can usually be treated with hearing aids.
Research the Various Types of Hearing Aids
After you’ve determined the cause of your hearing loss, you should research the various types of hearing aids to find out which one might be best for your situation. Here are some of the major types of hearing aids that are available.
- Behind-the-ear hearing aids. Also known as BTE hearing aids, these are the most commonly used type of hearing aid among adults. Depending on the type, they can be worn in either one or both ears. BTE hearing aids are simple to put in and are easy to program.
- In-the-ear hearing aids (ITE). ITE hearing aids are placed inside the ear. They are smaller than BTE hearing aids and are typically worn by younger people who are experiencing early hearing loss.
- In-the-canal hearing aids (ITC). ITC hearing aids are inserted into the ear canal. They are smaller than ITEs and are typically worn by younger people who are experiencing early hearing loss.
- Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids (CIC). CIC hearing aids are inserted into the ear canal and into the auditory nerve. They are smaller than ITEs and ITCs, and they are typically worn by younger people who are experiencing early hearing loss.
Check If You’re Eligible for a Hearing Aid Grant
Before you decide to purchase hearing aids or other assistive devices, you should check if you are eligible for a hearing aid grant. There are many organizations that provide funding for people to purchase hearing aids, including the government and private organizations. Some of the most common government programs available include the Federal Government’s Medicare program and the state government’s Medicaid program. Be aware that there are two different types of hearing aid coverage available from Medicare. Hearing aid coverage type A is limited to a certain period of time, whereas type B is lifetime coverage. Be sure to check which one you qualify for before you purchase hearing aids.
You can also check with your state’s social service department to see if there is any state-sponsored funding available for people to purchase hearing aids. You can also check with your insurance company to see if they provide any coverage for hearing aids. Some insurance companies provide this coverage as part of the general medical coverage, while others have a specific hearing aid coverage section. If you have medical insurance, you should check your policy to see if it covers hearing aids or not. If it does, then you can likely get a better model than you could if you had to pay for it out of pocket.
Ask Your Audiologist About Other Assistive Devices
Before you decide to purchase hearing aids in Southern Maine, you should also discuss other available assistive devices, such as telecoils, sound amplifiers, and hearing loops. Telecoils are built-in devices in hearing aids that allow them to work with certain kinds of telephones. Sound amplifiers are portable devices that are designed to amplify sound in noisy situations. Hearing loops are built-in devices in certain places, such as airports and some grocery stores, that allow you to use your hearing aids without any problems. These devices can be helpful for people who don’t need hearing aids but are having difficulty hearing in certain environments. Your audiologist can help you decide which devices will be best for you.
