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Facts About Hearing
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Hearing Aids
All hearing aids amplify background noise to some degree. However, with ongoing improvements in the industry, we are able to make the background noise more comfortable. Your Audiologist at Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation will work patiently with you to adjust your hearing aid to your specific needs until you are satisfied.
Hearing aid problems
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All I hear is background noise.
Solution: Directional microphones and speech processing computers can be used to reduce the noise behind you and focus on the sounds coming from in front of you. -
The hearing aid whistles too much.
Solution: Feedback cancellation technology can be used to reduce or eliminate feedback. -
I feel plugged up.
Solution: Open style ear-pieces can eliminate discomfort & make the hearing aid unnoticeable to the user.
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My voice is too loud & echoes.
Solution: Mini, Receiver-in-canal (RIC), hearing aids deliver sound to your eardrum through a tube rather than an earmold. Thus, they do not plug up your ears and your voice sounds more natural. -
It's too loud.
I only hear the sounds I don't want to hear.
Solution: Microphones with noise management technology limit loud sounds (for example, traffic noise, dishwasher, etc.) and put more emphasis on amplifying speech sounds. This allows speech to be heard comfortably while reducing the noises you do not want to hear.
Hearing Aid Options
- BTE - Behind-the-ear
- ITC - In-the-canal
- RIC - Receiver-in-canal
- ITE - In-the-ear
- CIC - Completely-in-canal
- IIC - Invisible-in-canal
Adults
Most adults acquire hearing loss gradually over time. Thus, many people with a significant hearing loss avoid getting help because they do not realize they have a problem.
People who seek early treatment often report that their lives are dramatically improved.Benefits of better hearing:
- Earning potential
- Communication in relationships
- Communication abilities
- Emotional stability
- Sense of control over life events
- Group social participation
Better hearing could reduce:
- Hearing loss compensation behaviors
- Anger / frustration in relationships
- Depression / depressive symptoms
- Self-criticism
- Social phobias
You Might Need a Hearing Aid if:
- People say you're shouting when you talk to them
- You need the TV or radio turned up louder than other people do
- You often have to ask people to repeat what they say because you can't quite hear them, especially in groups or when there is background noise
- You can't hear a noise if you'e not facing the direction it's coming from
- You seem to hear better out of one ear than the other
- You have to strain to hear
- You keep hearing a hissing or ringing background noise
- You can't hear a dripping faucet or the high notes of a violin
Children
Hearing problems can drastically affect children in their learning and social environments. The most significant impact is on: vocabulary, sentence structure, speaking, academic achievement, and social functioning.
The following is an age appropriate checklist for determining if your child has a hearing problem. If you answer NO to any of the questions below your child may need a hearing evaluation.- Does your child react to loud sounds?
- Is your child soothed by your voice?
- Does your child smile when spoken to?
- Does your child seem to know your voice and quiet down if he or she is upset?
- Does your child turn their head to you when you speak?
- Does your child awake during loud sounds and voices?
- Does your child enjoy toys that make loud sounds or music?
- Is your child frightened by loud noises?
- Does your child try to repeat sounds such as aah, ooh, baba?
- Does your child imitate your voice?
- Does your child look up or turn toward the direction of new sounds?
- Does your child make babbling sounds, even when by themselves?
- Does your child look at pictures or things when someone talks about them?
- Does your child know the meaning of words such as "hi" or "bye-bye?"
- Does your child respond to his or her own name and common sounds in the home (telephone ringing, voices)?
- Is your child beginning to respond to "come here?" Does your child respond to "no" and or the change of tone in your voice?
- Does your child look at or point to familiar objects or people when asked?
- Does your child enjoy games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake?
- Does your child play with his or her own voice, enjoying the sound and feel of it?
- Does your child imitate words or sounds?
- Does your child speak single words meaningfully?
- Does your child know 10 to 20 words?
- Does your child say words such as "mama", "dada", "bye-bye?"
- Does your child follow simple directions, such as "hand me the cup?"
- Does your child use words or sounds to indicate questions or excitement?
- Does your child enjoy being read to?
- Does your child understand simple phrases as "in the bowl" or "on the table?"
- Does your child point to pictures when asked?
- Does your child understand simple yes or no questions like "are you thirsty?"
- Does your child understand what big vs. little means?
- Does your child follow simple instructions such as "eat your food" or "bring me the toy?"
- Does your child understand many action words such as sit or stand up?
Birth to 3 Months:
3 to 6 Months:
6 to 10 Months:
10 to 15 Months:
15 to 18 Months:
18 to 24 Months:
24 to 36 Months: -
All I hear is background noise.