II. Background
- OTC Hearing Aids will be available in U.S. in 2023
III. Types: Location
- Hearing Aid behind the ear
- Classic Hearing Aid with the electronics in a small case behind the ear
- Sound tube exits the Hearing Aid and is placed inside the ear
- Hearing Aid receiver in canal
- Receiver moved from within case, to within the ear
- Receiver connects to Hearing Aid via thin wire
- Hearing Aid completely In the ear
- Custom made Hearing Aid that completely sits within the ear canal
IV. Types: Conventional analog Hearing Aids
- Cost: ~$900 per ear
- Components
- Battery
- Microphone transduces sound into electrical energy
- Receiver changes electrical energy into sound
- Most Hearing Aids can adjust volume
- May be a problem with background noise
- Sub-Types
- Linear (Simple Hearing Aid)
- Amplifies loud and soft sounds equally
- Non-Linear
- Varied amplification for loud and soft sounds
- Decreased recruitment (increased loudness)
- Linear (Simple Hearing Aid)
V. Types: Programmable Hearing Aids
- Programmable by audiologist
- Sound levels adjustable for audibility and comfort
- Volume per frequency
- Intensity
- Microphone power output
- Compression Ratios
- Some available with multiple programs
- (e.g. telephone, music)
VI. Types: Digital Hearing Aids
- Cost: ~$2900 per ear
- Digital signal processor samples incoming signals
- Adjusts in different sound environs
- Can reduce background noise from non-speech source
- Enhances speech understanding
- Programmable by audiologist
- See Above
VII. Management
- Hearing Aids amplify many sounds including background noise
- Expect a time to adjust to Hearing Aids, and tuning out background noise (e.g. footsteps)
- Proficiency with Hearing Aids requires a training period with frequent, continuous Hearing Aid use
- Start with less noisy
-
General measures
- Ears should be dry before inserting Hearing Aids
- Turn off Hearing Aids when not in use
- Removing ear wax with cotton swabs is not needed and may cause ear Trauma
- Remove Hearing Aids when sleeping, bathing, swimming, applying hair care products or instilling ear medications
- Light rain and mild sweating is not typically a problem
- Clean Hearing Aids daily with a soft cloth
- Button Batteries
- May need changing as every week or more
- Button batteries are dangerous if swallowed (keep away from pets and young children)
- Ear Pruritus or Irritation
- Causes
- Over-cleaning (e.g. wax removal decreases ear canal protection)
- Dry Skin
- Mal-fitting Hearing Aid
- Reaction to Hearing Aid material (uncommon)
- Approach
- Expect irritation and itching to improve over time
- Consider Skin Lubricant (skin Moisturizer) application overnight while Hearing Aids are out of the ear
- Recheck with Hearing Aid specialist if persists
- Causes
VIII. References
- Michels (2019) Am Fam Physician 100(2): 98-108 [PubMed]
- (2022) Presc Lett 29(9): 52