Whether you are about to start wearing a hearing aid for the first time, or you have been wearing one for a while, it’s important that you know all there is to know about them. This will help you to get the most out of them, and will mean that you are much more likely to be able to really make use of them. In this post, we are going to discuss just some of the things that you might need to know about hearing aids which can help a lot with all of this.
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There Are Numerous Types
It’s a good idea to get acquainted with the type of hearing aid you have, because there are a number of different types out there for different purposes. You have behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, for instance, which sit behind the ear and connect to an earpiece, and are good for most kinds of hearing loss. You also have receiver-in-canal (RIC) which can be a little more discrete, although not as discrete as in-the-ear (ITE) types. The type you need will ultimately be decided by an audiologist.
Signs Of A Need For A Hearing Aid
If you are wondering whether or not you might need a hearing aid, there are some common signs that you might. For instance, you might find yourself frequently asking others to repeat themselves, or you might need the volume on the TV or phone turned all the way up. Perhaps you are struggling to follow conversations in noisy places. Other people might notice these signs before you, especially those close to you such as your partner or work colleagues. If so, a visit to the doctor could be in order to get your hearing checked out.
Key Features
There are a number of key features that you may want to look out for, including directional microphones, which help you to focus on voices in front of you, as well as noise reduction features and bluetooth connectivity. There are also more modern additions such as how smart assistants connect with hearing aids now, and you usually have custom programming and other such features too. Understanding how these features all work is going to be hugely important for your hearing aid to work as well as possible for you. So it’s important to know about them as early on as possible.
Maintenance & Care
Hearing aids do require that you take care of them, and it’s vital to make sure that you are doing all you can to keep on top of this. That will include cleaning them regularly, removing wax and moisture and ensuring that you are storing them in a dry place overnight. You might also need to replace some filters and domes as required, and recharge batteries regularly to keep them topped up too. All of these are vital for ensuring that the hearing aid continues to work as it should, so make sure that you are ready for that if you are due to have a hearing aid.
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