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HEARING AIDS
Q: What are the different types of hearing aids available?
A: There are many types of hearing aids available like–
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Q: Which hearing aid would suit my child ?
A: The type of hearing aid would depend on the child's hearing loss. If the child is less then a year old, then he should be fitted with a body-aid so that he gets amplification even in the sleeping position. But if the child is older, then BTE can also be used.
Q: What are the advantages of a BTE to a pocket-aid ?
A: The BTEs’ are compact and they fit at the ear level of the child. In a pocket -aid, here are wires, which get pulled & can break. Also the sound quality may not be same in the pocket-aid compared to a BTE.
Q: When should ITE , ITC or CIC aids be used ?
A: These hearing aids are also called canal products. They fit into the ear & hence eliminate any tubing. Also the sound is fed directly in the ear similar to what takes place in normal hearing.
But these hearing aids are to be used only by adults. This is because, as the child grows, even his ears grow & so these canal products have to be changed very often.
Q: Is it necessary to have an ear-mould for a hearing aid ?
A: Yes. It is very important. Firstly, it gives a proper fitting so that the hearing aid does not fall off. Secondly, all the sound that is amplified is fed into the ear, which improves the amplification & quality of the sound.
Q: What are programmable & digital hearing aids ?
A: These aids generally give better sound quality to the person. These are programmed with the help of a computer to give the desired quality of sound. At times, these hearing aids have more than one mike & they are multichannelled. All these parameters help in improving the quality of sound & eliminating the extraneous sounds to a certain extent.
Q: Can children be fitted with programmable or digital aids ?
A: Yes, but they have to be fitted precisely & by a highly qualified audiologist so that a child’s residual hearing is enhanced & not suppressed.
Q: Are digital hearing aids available for profound hearing losses ?
A: No. Digital hearing aids are mostly for the moderate to severe hearing losses.
Last updated on 08-06-2001