Hearing Loss Not Success Barrier For Phillip Hall

Phillip Hall, a 24-year old double honours graduate with severe hearing loss, has been awarded the Quest for Excellence Scholarship by the National Foundation for the Deaf (NFD) in New Zealand.

The $15,000 Quest for Excellence Scholarship was established by the NFD for post-graduate study. Its purpose is to recognise and inspire exceptional Deaf or hearing impaired people who have overcome the odds to achieve excellence.

Read more: Scoop

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Comparisons Of The Top 4 Hearing Aid Companies

As hearing aids come in various types, brands and features, it can be confusing to choose the right hearing aid for yourself or a family member. I'll review the top four manufacturers (Siemens, Beltone, Starkey and Phonak) of hearing aids to give you an idea of what they have to offer.

Hearing aids are available as analog or digital. Analog hearing aids have been on the market for quite some time but are less popular than digital hearing aids. The latter offer clearer sound quality and can be programmed by a computer to achieve a high level of fine tuning. More people are opting for digital hearing aids as their prices have fallen.

There are four custom styles of hearing aids. A hearing aid that can be fitted over the ear and rest behind it is the Behind-the-Ear (BTE). It is the least expensive. The In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aid sits just inside the ear. The almost invisible In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aid is fitted a low into the ear. Lastly, the Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC) hearing aid fits deeply inside the ear canal. This type of hearing aid is totally concealed from view and must be fully molded to fit into the ear canal. A hearing professional can assist in selecting the most suitable hearing aid for you.

Siemens Hearing Aids

Siemens is a well established company in the hearing aid industry with more than 125 years of experience. It is the largest manufacturer of hearing aids in the United States. All Siemens hearing instruments come with a two-year warranty. Seimens hearing aids come in various styles, functions and features. They range from the cheapest Phoenix and Cielo models to the state-of-the-art Artis e2e which has the wireless ear-to-ear capability.

Beltone Hearing Aids

Beltone is one of the major producers of hearing aids. It is located in more than 1300 areas in the USA with an exceptional reputation in the hearing aid business. Beltone's Belcare is an exclusive aftercare program that provides after sales support to their customers. Beltone professionals are trained to carry out a lifestyle assessment program called Personalized Hearing Health Assessment (PHHA) on their customers to determine the most suitable type of hearing aid. Beltone hearing aids are divided into basic, quality, advantage, and premier categories. Their cheap Edge model has three channels. Beltone's mid-range model is the six-channel Mira. Beltone's top-of-the-line hearing aid is the twelve-channel Oria which also offers many other features not found in other models.

Starkey Hearing Aids

Starkey Laboratories is the largest producer of hearing aids in the world. Starkey is known to be the first hearing aid company to provide a warranty and free trial period for their hearing instruments. The 3-channel Aspect is the most basic line of Starkey hearing aids. The mid-level Destiny has a range of several models and the top-of-the-line Eli provides wireless capability that is compatible with Bluetooth-enabled phones.

Phonak Hearing Aids

Phonak is a worldwide manufacturer with headquarter in Switzerland. It produces a range of hearing aids to suit your hearing needs and budget. The 6-channel eXtra model offers a basic entry level hearing aid. The mid-range Valeo and Elva models have 16 channels. The top-of-the-line Savia has 20 channels and advanced features to give the best hearing quality. Phonak also utilizes wireless technology in their hearing aids.

Looking to buy a Siemens hearing aid? We've compiled all information you need to know about choosing and buying a hearing aid at www.abouthearingaid.com/home

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What To Know About Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are devices that are used to aid in hearing. They are commonly used to help those who have a difficult time hearing. There are several different types of them. In many cases, they have been developed over time and the various versions of them are mainly due to the improvements that have been used.

One of the types of hearing aids is the body worn aids. These are the first type of aid to be used. Today, they are rarely used because there are better quality options available due to the improvements of technology. They use an amplification system that is connected to a mold that fits around the ear. They are large and this helps in some of the worst cases of hearing loss where other units cannot.

Another option is those that are behind the ear aids. A custom made ear mold is connected to a small case that fits behind the ear. They are used to all types of hearing loss and work well for children because of how durable they are as well as how capable they are of being connected to assistive listening devices that can be used within the classroom.

Yet another type of hearing aid that is commonly used is that of the ITE aids. These are also known as in the ear aids because that is the location that they are in. They are custom made for each person individually. They work for most all types of hearing loss as well. In most cases, a child can wear them after the age of 13 as their growing patterns have slowed down.

Although there are several other types of hearing aids on the market, it is best to speak to your doctor about which is the right device for your needs. In many cases, there will be special equipment to help you in hearing better.


About the Author:
Sandy Baker

For more information please see http://www.hearing-aid-info.co.uk

Choosing The Right Hearing Aid

Everybody is different, and hearing is no different. Everybody's hearing is different, and so sometimes the standard hearing aids won't provide you the sort of performance that you require, and so you might want to look at some custom hearing devices.

Custom hearing aids will normally cost a little more than the regular hearing aids, however this is understandable as they are tailor made for you. It's important to find a hearing aid that works best for you, despite the price.

There are some common settings that can be customised on hearing aids:

-Adjust the equaliser

Most people start to notice hearing loss affecting only certain frequencies, this is normally only the higher frequencies. They may start to be unable to hear high pitch sounds, you can buy a specific hearing aid to boost whichever specific frequency the patient is having a trouble with.

You should go to see your audiologist as they can help you to adjust the hearing aid so you can hear better. Digital hearing aids have the advantage of having an EQ (equaliser) function much like your home stereo.

- Different Presets

A number of popular hearing aids have the ability to set a number of different programs. These programs can be selected when you enter different environments, one flick of a switch can completely change how your hearing aid works.

When you go to a noisy environment, you can flip the switch to customise the settings for that specific environment. When you go to a quiet place you can select another program to customise the settings further. This function is very useful as it is more user friendly than simply adjusting the volume.

- Dual Microphones

Modern digital hearing aids have a great new feature of using two microphones. One microphone is capable of amplifying what is really in front of the user, while the other microphone is able to pick up sounds from all around.

The different microphones can be selected, which makes it ideal for reducing any background noise, allowing you to listen to the person in front of you.

- Noise Reduction

New hearing aids have a noise reduction feature which is similar to the one on your stereo. These have a computer chip built into the hearing aid which is designed to analyze the sound and cut out certain frequencies of sound.

Quite often hearing aids can cause feedback, this often sounds like buzzing, or a whistling noise. If you hear feedback, you would have to turn down the volume until the feedback is reduced. However the noise reduction chip is able to remove feedback without having to turn down the volume.

- Telecoils

Telecoils are designed to make phone conversations for people with hearing difficulties much easier. Switching a switch changes the device to use the telecoil, this cuts out the background noise completely so you can concentrate completely on the telephone.

This feature doesn't work with all telephones, it's important to check whether or not yours is compatible before considering purchasing a telecoil hearing aid. Check out http://www.firsthearingaids.com which is a comprehensive resource for people suffering from hearing loss to get information on hearing aid options, prices and maintenance.

You should talk to your audiologist to decide exactly which extra custom features are suitable for you, some of these features may be great for you, others may not be so useful and so may be a waste of money.

Author: Amanda Fain

BTE Hearing aids

Behind the ear, also known as BTE, hearing aids are far and away the most commonly used type of hearing aid. These hearing aids are also what most people picture when hearing aids are mentioned. The electronics which make a BTE hearing aid function are housed in a plastic case which fits behind the ear and has a tube that connects it to an ear mold which fits in the ear canal.

Behind the ear, also known as BTE, hearing aids are far and away the most commonly used type of hearing aid. These hearing aids are also what most people picture when hearing aids are mentioned. The electronics which make a BTE hearing aid function are housed in a plastic case which fits behind the ear and has a tube that connects it to an ear mold which fits in the ear canal.

They are designed to accommodate the entire spectrum of hearing losses, from the mild to the severe. Although they are more conspicuous then hearing aids that fit entirely in the ear canal, they have a number of benefits that appeal to a wide variety of hearing impaired individuals. In addition, BTE hearing aids come in a number of sizes, shapes and colors. So some behind the ear models are much less conspicuous then others.

Since behind the ear hearing aids are larger then their completely in the canal, or CIC, counterparts, they can more easily house a bigger amplifier and much stronger battery and therefore may be especially beneficial to individuals with a more severe hearing loss. BTE hearing aids are also rather versatile in that they come in the most traditional analog style as well as in the recently popularized digitally powered style of hearing aids.

When budgetary constraints are an issue, behind the ear devices definitely win out over hearing aids which fit completely in the ear canal. Due to their larger size, other groups of people to whom BTE hearing aids have more appeal then CIC models include the elderly, arthritis sufferers and others with fine motor control disabilities and related issues.

Finally since CIC models necessitate the wearing of a heavier device in the canal then just the lightweight ear mold attached to BTE hearing aids, there tends to be less ear canal irritation with the former.

In the late 1800s the first commercially manufactured hearing aids were patented and became available to the public. The first behind the ear hearing aids came on the scene over fifty years ago.

Prior to this, hearing aids were basically amplifiers worn somewhere on the body and these were heavy and expensive, due in part to rapid battery consumption. With the advent of the smaller junction transistor in 1952, widespread BTE hearing aid use became more of a reality.

Due to improvements in the technology of circuitry,1964 saw another boom in use of BTE devices and the use of body worn hearing aids dropped to less then twenty percent. By 1972 prototypes for hearing aids which could be programmed to a variety of listening situations, were being created. The following twenty years showed continued improvements and advances in hearing aid technology.

Volume controls were added to most behind the ear devices in the 1990s and digital hearing aids started appearing in the mid nineties. There has been continued new arrivals in the hearing aid world since then such as remanufactured hearing aids, disposable hearing aids and over the counter hearing aids. Who knows what the future of behind the ear hearing aid technology holds, the possibilities are endless


About The Author:
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Hearing Aids Manufacturers,and more! his numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

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The Latest Innovation in Open Fit Hearing Aids: Speaker-in-the-Ear Hearing Aids

Currently, there is a trend in the hearing aid industry toward smaller and more discreet hearing aids, including the recent development of open fit hearing aids (also known as open ear hearing aids). Open fit hearing aids have one major limitation, however; they are not appropriate for many people with a more severe hearing loss and are best used by those with high frequency hearing loss and normal low frequency hearing.

This means that those with severe hearing loss inquiring about this new technology may have either been steered toward more traditional hearing aids (which also have their benefits) or been improperly fitted with open fit hearing aids. However, a recent modification to open fit hearing aids, known as speaker-in-the-ear (SIE) hearing aids, can make these nearly invisible hearing aids available to people with more severe hearing loss.

Read more/Source: American Chronicle

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Hearing aid recycling urged

What do eyeglasses, old coats and used hearing aids have in common? They all can be recycled.

In May, a month-long hearing aid recycling campaign will be conducted by the Sertoma Club of Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Communicative Disorders. Hearing aid parts will be reconditioned and provided at limited cost to people who have no other means of obtaining a hearing aid.

Read more

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More Baby Boomers losing their hearing

"Would you repeat that?" It is Gene Ambroson's latest mantra. "Say again?" the 59-year-old baby boomer adds as he stares intently at your face, a stare that could unnerve someone not familiar with the severe hearing loss that is afflicting Ambroson and could affect a few million more boomers in the coming years. More about that stare later.

The Associated Press reported recently that as many as 50 million Americans could be affected by impaired hearing by mid-century. Inexorably, this could affect one out of every six Americans.

Read more: Sioux City Journal

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America Hears Introduces New Speaker-in-the-Ear Hearing Aids

America Hears, the premier manufacturer and distributor of digital hearing aids, is pleased to introduce its latest product, the Freedom AD SIE – a speaker-in-the-ear hearing aid designed for comfort and improved sound quality. This aid gives those with hearing loss who previously were told they could not wear an open fit hearing aid a new opportunity to take advantage of this lightweight, unoccluded style.

Speaker-in-the-ear hearing aids look similar to open fit hearing aids but are configured to provide greater gain via a speaker enclosed in the thin plastic tubing that rests in the bowl of the ear. These aids can be fitted to those with hearing loss of 60 to 80 db, and can be used with an optional earmold that fits invisibly in the ear canal and can reduce feedback for those with high-frequency hearing loss.

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ASU scientists seek better hearing aid

About 28 million Americans have difficulty hearing, and Arizona State University researchers are trying to bring that number down. The university has received a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a microscale digital hearing aid that will mimic the human ear.

If the initial prototype succeeds, the NSF could give ASU additional funding - perhaps more than $1 million - to expand research and possibly develop a marketable product, the foundation said.

Source: azcentral.com

Sennheiser 810 Personal Infrared TV Listening System



Sennheiser's Set 810 listening system lets you listen to an audio or audio/video source with wireless convenience. The system consists of a TI 810 infrared FM stereo transmitter and an RI 810 infrared stereo stethoset receiver. Simply connect the TI 810 transmitter to the headphone socket of a television set or hi-fi system and you're ready to enjoy TV sound in privacy and comfort. The Set 810 is also ideal for family members who are hearing-impaired, letting them listen to a program at a louder level than that heard by other viewers.

TV Ears

TV Ears has helped thousands of people with mild to moderate hearing loss hear television clearly... you control the volume you hear through TV Ears without affecting the volume for everyone else. You can even listen privately to TV with the sound on the set completely off. The lightweight wireless headset features on-board volume, tone and balance controls.

MagniEar+

MagniEar+ is the revolutionary sound amplification system that is affordable and discreet. Lightweight and compact, you won't even feel like you're wearing it. Whether you're in the theater, watching TV, listening to soft music or just having a quiet conversation, you will hear loud and clear.

While some hearing devices can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, MagniEar+ is a remarkable value. The MagniEar+ comes with 3 sizes of soft tips that can be worn in the right or left ear to give you a perfect fit.

Sahara DryEar SAH-007C Portable/Rechargeable Ear Dryer



Keeping the ear canal dry will help prevent outer ear infections like swimmers ear or Otitis Externa by eliminating the moisture where bacteria and fungi like to grow. For hearing aid wearers, a dry ear canal improves the fit and performance of the hearing aid, and even helps eliminate moisture migration that can damage the hearing aid's delicate circuits.

DryEar is a highly sophisticated device equipped with a computer chip, heater, and fan that work together to automatically regulate airflow.

The Sahara DryEar emits air that is regulated close to your body temperature. This is important because your ears are the balance center of your body. DryEar uses body-temperature air to ensure a comfortable and effective drying experience. Other methods -- such as a hair dryer or similar blowing device -- are not custom-made to the sensitive requirements of your ear canals.

Lawyer has two-year wait for hearing aids

A solicitor is forced to take an assistant to help her in court while she waits up to two years for a hearing aid. Trainee lawyer Helen Abraham, 23, struggles to follow court cases and tribunals becasue she is hard of hearing so has to be accompanied by a junior member of staff to help her fill in the parts she misses.

Helen, of Hollycarrside, Sunderland, was diagnosed with hearing problems last year and is on the waiting list at Sunderland Royal Hospital to have two aids fitted.
But, as revealed in the Echo this week, patients are having to wait 18 months to be seen at the hospital's audiology department.

Source: Sunderland Today

The Public Perception of Hearing Aids

By Steve Joseph

The simple fact about hearing aids is that many people would not be caught dead wearing one, no matter how deaf they become. In fact hearing aids are quite interesting in the sense that they remain shrouded in a negative stigma within our society. Other aids such as reading glasses have been able to emerge from their shameful past and take their place as high fashion items, but such is not the case with hearing aids.

The result of this negativity toward hearing aids has traditionally meant that significant portions of hearing impaired people are not getting the relief that they need. The negativity surrounding hearing aids is resulting in hearing aid manufacturer not being able to realize the potential of their market, a problem that they are keen to address.

Hearing aid suppliers are currently embarking upon a campaign to destroy the stigma that hearing aids and devices currently have and build a new reputation of social acceptance. Much of this transformation is reliant on affiliating hearing aids with popular gizmos such as iPods and Buetooth cell phone accessories. Hearing aid manufacturer are hopeful that by association, they can make their product hip and in doing so coax a new generation of hearing impaired people to wear hearing aids.

In essence, the problem of hearing loss is quite substantial, especially with aging populations in most developed countries, so the challenge to manufacturers is not to increase market share so much as it is to reinvigorate their products says http://www.1hearingaid.com .This has translated into a vastly different approach to hearing aid design from some companies.

Traditionally, the goal of hearing aid designers has been to make the item as small and inconspicuous as possible. The idea being to address the negativity of hearing aids by subtlety or by being undetectable. More recently, the decision has been to make the item technologically advance and thus sexier. Options such as remote controls, playback functions and cell phone interface are all being explored and soon you may even start seeing hearing aids on the shelves beside other popular audio entertainment equipment.

The author is a regular contributor to http://www.1hearingaid.com.

New Glasses Double as Hearing Aid

Scientists from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands have developed spectacles with tiny embedded microphones on each side. This is no laboratory pipedream. They were developed commercially and people are already wearing them.

The glasses, called Varibel, dampen surrounding noise while selectively strengthening sounds coming from in front of the wearer. The device separates proffered sounds from the unwanted with twice the sensitivity of a traditional hearing aid, the manufacturer claims.

Source: Fox News

New Test Offers Hope in Effective Hearing Aid Design for Babies

A new technique to test and identify 'dead regions' in the brain that could be responsible for hearing loss in children is being developed by Karolina Kluk, a Cambridge University student.

The finding could eventually pave way for development of individualized hearing aids for children.

Source: Medindia.com

Hearing Loss Is The Number One Disability In The World

By: Dr. Jay B Stockman O.D.

Hearing loss is prevalent in modern societies as a result of the combined effects of noise, aging, disease, and heredity. Hearing loss is the number one disability in the world; approximately 28 million Americans suffer some type of hearing loss. In addition, 15 of every 1000 people under the age of 18 have a hearing loss, and nearly 90% of people over age 80 have a hearing impairment. The incidence of hearing loss is greater in men, than women. The sad part is, that hearing loss is the most preventable disability in the world.

Hearing is a complicated process involving both the sensitivity of the ear, as well as the ability to understand, and interpret the speech. When we hear sounds, we really are interpreting patterns of air molecules in the form of waves. . The ear is able to pick up these waves, and convert them into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. In the brain, these signals are deciphered into meaningful information, such as language or music with qualities like volume and pitch. We can characterize sounds in terms of their frequency (or pitch) and intensity (or loudness).

An individual with hearing in the normal range can hear sounds that have frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hertz. Speech includes a combination of low and high frequency sounds; vowels have lower frequencies and are easier to hear. Consonants, on the other hand have higher frequencies, and are harder to hear. Since consonants express most of the meaning of what we say, someone who cannot hear high frequency sounds will have a hard time understanding speech.

Intensity, or loudness, is measured in decibels. A normal hearing range usually ranges from 0 to 140 dB. A whisper is around 30 dB, and normal conversations are usually 45 to 50 dB. Sounds that are louder than 90 dB can be uncomfortable to hear. A loud concert might be as loud as 110 dB. Extreme sounds that are 120 dB or louder can be quite painful and can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Hearing loss can happen in either frequency or intensity or both. The severity of hearing loss is assessed on how well a person can hear the frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech. Severity of loss can best be described as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Deafness is used to describe an individual who has approximately 90 dB or greater hearing loss. The term "hard of hearing" describes a condition that is less severe than deafness.

There are many potential causes of hearing loss. These can be divided into two basic types, called conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is the result of the interference of sound transmission from the outer ear to the inner ear. Common causes include, inner ear infections, accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, excessive wax, damage to the eardrum by infection or an injury, or otosclerosis. This type of hearing loss is temporary, and results in a less severe form.

Sensorineural hearing loss is due to damage to the pathway from the hair cells of the inner ear to the auditory nerve and the brain. Common causes include, age-related hearing loss, injury to the inner ear hair cells as a result of trauma or noise, abnormal pressure in the inner ear, stroke, benign lesions, and brain tumors. This type of hearing loss is more devastating, and is usually more permanent.

The successful treatment of hearing loss depends on the cause. A bacterial infection of the middle ear can be treated with antibiotics; blockages of the outer and middle ears can be cleared; damaged eardrums can be repaired surgically; and ossicles affected by otosclerosis can be replaced with artificial bones. Some causes of sensorineural hearing loss can also be improved. For example, an acoustic neuroma can be removed surgically.

If no cure is successful, a hearing aid for one, or both ears usually helps, whether the loss is a result of conductive or sensorineural problems. Many different types of hearing aid are available and an audiologist will advise as to which type best suits the needs of the individual.

When a hearing aid does not give adequate amplification, as with profound deafness, a cochlear implant can help. This device transmits sound directly into the auditory nerve via electrodes surgically implanted into the cochlea. Although the sounds heard tend to be of a buzzing or electronic nature, it can be very useful when used in combination with lip reading.


About the Author:

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Digital Hearing Aids Online. Visit http://hearing-aidsonline.com/ for more information.

Essential tremor appears to affect hearing

Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine noted a high rate of hearing loss in patients with essential tremor. They performed the Nursing Home Hearing Handicap Index, audiological testing, and an assessment of hearing aid use.

People with severe tremors may need assistance from caregivers with hearing aid maintenance. Additional hearing warranties should be considered due to an increased possibility of the hearing aid being dropped or damaged.

Source: TimesNews.net

Sound Activity Meters Improve Hearing Aid Quality

28 million Americans suffer from hearing loss, with each case as unique as a fingerprint. Until now, to get a hearing aid that fit their needs, patients had to accurately describe their listening environments, a challenge in today's busy, noisy world.

A new invention is now making this possible. It's called a Sound Activity Meter, or SAM. It's as small as a lapel pin, and can discretely travel with patients to map their listening situations throughout the day.

Read more: CBS 11 - Dallas

Deaf Golfer Competes With The Best

Kevin Hall has been playing golf since he was nine. But he has never heard his club hit the ball or that wonderful sound that comes when your ball rolls into the cup. He can't hear a thing. He is completely deaf.

Read more: CBS 13

Fully implantable hearing device available

Anyone who wears a hearing aid can tell you how frustrating it is. They amplify sound, but they also increase a background noise.

Now, doctors at Florida Hospital Celebration are the first ones in the Southeastern United States to use fully implantable hearing devices.

The surgery takes about four hours, and comes with risks such as additional hearing loss. But one advantage is nothing shows on the outside.

Patients recharge the devices battery by wearing a magnetic charger while they sleep. After about five years they'll need minor surgery to change the battery.

Source: Central Florida News

How To Save Money When Purchasing A Hearing Aid

Purchasing a hearing aid can be a difficult and unbudgeted expense. There are a number of things to consider to reduce the cost when purchasing a hearing aid. After all, most people don’t really want to buy hearing aids, but they need to buy them because they cannot hear adequately without them. This page will provide you with the information and knowledge you need in order to save you money on a hearing aid.

The first thing to consider when buying a hearing aid is the average price of these products. It is hard to estimate the fees involved without knowing the severity of your hearing loss or certain features you may require. A reasonable price for a brand-name, digital hearing aid is anywhere from $1,700 to $2,800. If you think this is too much, there are ways to reduce this cost and ensure that you are paying the lowest price possible for your hearing aid.

A potential way to save money on your hearing aid is to check whether or not your insurance covers any part of the cost of these products. If your insurance policy covers even a small amount of the cost of your hearing aid, you are going to want to take full advantage of this. A number of insurance companies state they “cover hearing aids.” Don’t be fooled, this can sometimes mean it covers a certain amount (usually around $500) and it is your responsibility to pay the rest. Check your insurance policy before deciding on a hearing aid. Nonetheless, every little bit that you can save will make a difference.

Another thing to consider, when purchasing your hearing aid, is to check for support from local organizations. Check and see if you qualify for Veteran’s Administration Benefits. If you performed military services and you can prove that your hearing loss is directly connected to these services, you may qualify for VA. If you are unemployed because your hearing loss is preventing you from getting a job, check with your State’s Vocational Rehabilitation Department. This company may provide you the hearing aid you need in order to find employment. Civic organizations such as Lions International may also provide you with support to purchase a hearing aid. Check with any of these organizations (even if you’re not sure if you qualify) because there’s a good chance they may reduce the cost of your hearing aid.

One of the most important factors in choosing a hearing aid is the warranty. The warranty will ensure that your hearing aid remains in good condition; otherwise, the manufacturer will repair or replace it for free. Purchasing a hearing aid without a warranty is like purchasing a car without insurance. Without a warranty, if your hearing aid breaks it is your responsibility to replace it and pay for a whole new hearing aid. Most hearing aids are covered for at least one year and up-to a maximum of two years. Many manufacturers offer extended warranties at a certain cost. It is important to read through and fully understand what the warranty or extended warranty offers and exactly what parts of the hearing aid are covered under the warranty.

Jason Mills

About the Author: Jason Mills is retired from a long career in photography and spends much of his free time supporting and informing those who have suffered hearing loss - no matter how young or old. In his spare time, he can be found working as a contributing writer on Hearing Aids 101 ( http://www.hearingaids101.com )

Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss is one of the more mysterious illnesses among us when it comes to diagnosis. Even today, many cases of sudden hearing loss elude definitive diagnosis.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss refers to a loss of hearing of 30 db (decibels) or more over three adjacent frequencies, as determined by a hearing test, within a three-day period. A decibel is a measure of sound. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (National Institutes of Health), a decibel level of 30 is about half the level of normal conversation.

Often sudden deafness occurs within a matter of hours. Many people who experience sudden hearing loss notice it when they wake up in the morning. Others notice it when they try to use the telephone. The amount of hearing loss can vary, from mild to severe, and it is often accompanied by vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or both. It usually happens in one ear (unilateral) but can affect both ears (bilateral). In the United States, an estimated 4,000 people develop sudden hearing loss each year. It occurs equally between men and women and most often among those 30 - 60 years of age.

Sudden hearing loss is considered a medical emergency and should be evaluated as soon as possible, preferably by an ear specialist. There are many possible causes of sudden hearing loss; however, the cause often remains unknown even after an evaluation. Some possible causes are viral infections, trauma to the ear, autoimmune diseases and some drugs. Sudden hearing loss sometimes improves or stabilizes on its own or with medical treatment within a matter of days or weeks, but sometimes it does not.

A few celebrities have reported experiencing sudden hearing loss. Radio personality Rush Limbaugh reportedly had cochlear implant surgery a few years ago after experiencing sudden hearing loss. Cochlear implants are considered a good alternative if hearing loss does not improve and hearing stabilizes in the severe to profound range. Hearing aids are also an option. Rapper Foxy Brown reported experiencing sudden hearing loss while in the studio recording.

Several medical centers nationwide are participating in a five-year clinical trial of sudden hearing loss. The trial is sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). The study began in December 2004 and will compare high-dose oral steroids with intratympanic (middle-ear) injections of a special formulation of steroid medication to treat sudden hearing loss.

Connie Briscoe

About the Author: Connie Briscoe is a New York Times best-selling author and former managing editor of American Annals of the Deaf, a journal on education of the deaf. She runs a website at http://www.hearinginformer.com, where you can read more about sudden hearing loss.

Coping With Hearing Loss

Oddly enough, I've come to think that my hearing loss was one of the best things that ever happened to me, as it led to the publication of my first novel. But it took a while for me to accept that I was losing my hearing.

I was born with a mild hearing loss but began to lose more of my hearing when I was a senior in college. One day while sitting in my college dormitory room reading, I noticed my roommate get up from her bed, go to the princess telephone in our room, pick it up and start talking. None of that would have seemed strange, except for one thing: I never heard the telephone ring! I wondered why I couldn't hear a phone that I could hear just the day before. But I was too baffled--and embarrassed--to say anything to my roommate or anyone else.

Unbeknown to me at the time, that was only the beginning of my downward spiral, as my hearing grew progressively worse. But I was young and still vain enough not to want to buy a hearing aid. I struggled through college by sitting up front in the classroom, straining to read lips and asking people to speak up, sometimes again and again.

By the time I entered graduate school, I knew I could no longer put it off. I had to purchase a hearing aid. By that time my hearing loss was such that even sitting in front of the classroom wasn't helping much. I was still vain enough to wait a few months while I let my hair grow out a bit before taking the plunge but I eventually I did buy a hearing aid. It was a big, clunky thing, but I knew that I would have to be able to hear if I ever wanted to graduate.

Soon, my hair length didn't matter much, as hearing aids got smaller and smaller. They also got better and better at picking up sound. The early hearing aids were analog devices and not programmable. They did little more than make sounds louder evenly across the board. That doesn't work for most of us with nerve deafness, as we may have more hearing loss in the higher frequencies. The newer programmable digital hearing aids go a long way toward improving on that. They can be set to match different types of hearing loss, so you can, say, increase a particular high frequency more than the lower ones.

Once I bought my first hearing aid and was able to hear again, I could focus on other things that were important to me--like my education, my career and writing that first novel! I didn't realize it then, but that first hearing aid actually freed me to go on to bigger and better things despite having a hearing loss.

I had long dreamed of writing a novel, but like others kept putting it off. As my hearing loss grew worse, it was a chore just to keep up at work, let alone do much else. Then once I got the hearing aid, I no longer had to worry about a lot of the things I did before, and I began to think that writing a novel would be the perfect hobby for me. Anyone can write regardless of whether they can hear. I was also determined to prove that losing my hearing would not hold me back.

My first novel was published in 1994 and my fifth in the summer of 2005. Writing turned out to be much more than a hobby, as I've been writing full-time for more than 10 years. I'm now hard at work on my first nonfiction work, a photo-essay book to be published by Bulfinch, a division of Time Warner Books, in 2007.

I honestly believe that I would never have sat down at the computer and banged out that first novel if I hadn't lost so much of my hearing. Instead, I'd probably still be an editor somewhere and still dreaming about someday becoming a novelist. That's why I sometimes think that my hearing loss was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Connie Briscoe

About the Author: Connie Briscoe is a New York Times best-selling author and former managing editor of American Annals of the Deaf, a journal on education of the deaf. She runs a website at http://www.hearinginformer.com, where you can read more about sudden hearing loss.

How to communicate with hearing impaired colleagues

Communicating with a hearing impaired colleague can be difficult when you're unsure of what to do. If in doubt, ask them. The person won't think you're rude or drawing unnecessary attention to their disability - on the contrary, they'll appreciate your efforts to ensure effective communication.

Professional advice on adapting the workplace and staff training is available from both government and community organisations.

Read more: Better Health Channel

Training program for hearing loss

About 30 million people suffer from hearing loss. Many of them still have trouble hearing even with hearing aids. But now, audiologists have come up with a new kind of therapy.

Patients are asked to work with a computer program 30 minutes a day, five days a week for a month. The exercise trains people to focus on one voice when two people are talking.

In a new study that hasn't been published yet, 80 percent of patients who complete the program showed improvement. Researchers are working on creating a portable device that will allow anyone to train at home.


Source: KGET TV 17

New type of hearing aid available

In the last two years, hearing aid makers have introduced and improved upon a device that fits in back of the ear, rather than inside. This new "open-fit" model can enhance high-pitch sounds, such as a child's voice or a telephone ring, without disturbing a person's unimpaired hearing.

Read more/Source: New York Sun

Nokia LPS-4 Accessibility Loopset

If you have t-coil-equipped hearing aids, the Nokia LPS-4 lets you use digital phones with background noise eliminated and without annoying interference.

When the phone is in use, a microphone built into the loopset picks up your voice, while the sound from the phone is converted into a low-power magnetic field by the loopset. This magnetic field is picked up by the T-coil in the hearing aid (the hearing aid must be set to T-mode) and coverted back into sound. By using inductive technology, the sound coming from the phone is amplified more efficiently and background noise is eliminated more effectively.

While you're using the loopset, keep the handset away from your hearing aid. Wearing the phone on your belt -- either with a belt clip or a leather case -- can help maintain the proper distance. Depending on the severity of your hearing loss, the phone's ringer may not be audible, even at the loudest setting. As an alternative, many Nokia phones vibrate or light up the display to alert you of an incoming call. You can also use your phone's auto-answer mode along with the Nokia LPS-4. Since you need to manually switch your hearing aid to T-coil mode, the auto-answer mode can minimize the number of steps you have to take before you start your conversation.

Hearing-aid suppliers tap into gadget market

Many people wouldn't be caught dead wearing a hearing aid, even if they've lost enough hearing to need one. So hearing-aid suppliers such as Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Starkey Laboratories are trying to broaden their appeal with audiological products for all ages.

The idea, according to Starkey, is to get consumers more comfortable with advanced in-the-ear technologies, and to remove the stigma associated with hearing aids, so they'll be likelier to embrace the audio-assistance devices when the time is right.

Read more/Source: Bradenton Herald

Four million English persons should have hearing aid

Four million people in the UK could benefit from wearing a hearing aid but are doing nothing about it, according to a new campaign.

More than 150,000 people have so far taken a telephone hearing check as part of the Breaking the Sound Barrier Campaign from National charity RNID to raise awareness of the problem, figures showed today.

Read more: Daily Mail

African-Made, Solar-Powered Hearing Aid

The SolarAid is a hearing aid designed and built by Godisa Technologies, a Botswana company founded to make low-cost hearing aids for the developing world. The SolarAid system combines a small hearing aid and a lightweight solar charger; Godisa developed the first No. 13 rechargeable button battery for the system. Godisa is Africa's only hearing aid manufacturer, and the only one in the world making hearing aids specifically for the sub-Saharan Africa environment.

The SolarAid, including the solar charger and an extra pair of batteries, sells for less than $100, and is built to last at least two to three years.

Source: WorldChanging.com

Online hearing test

FreeHearingTest.com provides a free online hearing test to help evaluate your hearing. While this test is not a substitute for a professional audiogram, it can be useful may indicate the need to get your hearing tested.

Online Hearing Test

How to read your audiogram

Hearing is not measured in percentages. Instead, it is measured in an arbitrary unit of loudness called the decibel. The decibel (dB, or dB HL) is a logrithmic scale. Physically, every 6 dB increase represents a doubling of sound pressure level. Perceptually, every 10 dB increase sounds twice as loud.

On this website you can learn how to read your audiogram.

US consumer sues Apple over Ipod 'consumers' hearing' risks

A Louisiana man is suing Apple Computers over allegations that the iPod is putting consumers' hearing at risk.

John Kiel Patterson's lawsuit says that Apple do not do enough to warn their customers that using the iPod at high volumes, especially with the 'ear bud' headphones that come with the player, could result in noise-induced hearing loss.

Read more: NEW CRIMINOLOGIST online

Hearing aid bank in N. Kentucky

Between 25 million and 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. Less than 50 percent of those who could benefit from a hearing aid have them. Cost is cited as the major impediment.

In an effort to further its mission and commitment to those less fortunate, Cardinal Hill of Northern Kentucky is establishing a hearing aid bank and will be accepting donations of hearing aids.

If someone has hearing aids that are no longer in use, they would be welcomed as a donation. Any of the hearing aids that are found to be in good condition will then be made available to individuals with hearing loss that demonstrate financial need.

Read more: Community Press

Deafness soaring among Canadian soldiers: study

The ranks of current and former military personnel in Canada receiving disability pensions for deafness has soared in recent years to almost 80,000, more than the number of active service members.

A newly published Department of National Defence study says a lack of training and uncomfortable, incompatible ear-protection gear are partly to blame. The review also confirmed that middle-aged service members are more than twice as likely as the average Canadian to have moderate to severe hearing loss.

Read more: Canada.com

Several Types Of Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is an electronic, battery-operated device that amplifies and changes sound to allow for improved communication. Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone, which then converts the sound waves to electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of the signals and then sends the sound to the ear through a speaker.

Different kinds of hearing aids

There are several types of hearing aids. Each type offers different advantages, depending on its design, levels of amplification, and size. Before purchasing any hearing aid, ask whether it has a warranty that will allow you to try it out. Most manufacturers allow a 30- to 60-day trial period during which aids can be returned for a refund.

There are four basic styles of hearing aids for people with sensorineural hearing loss:

In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely in the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case, which holds the components, is made of hard plastic. ITE aids can accommodate added technical mechanisms such as a telecoil, a small magnetic coil contained in the hearing aid that improves sound transmission during telephone calls. ITE aids can be damaged by earwax and ear drainage, and their small size can cause adjustment problems and feedback. They are not usually worn by children because the casings need to be replaced as the ear grows.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids are worn behind the ear and are connected to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The components are held in a case behind the ear. Sound travels through the earmold into the ear. BTE aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss. Poorly fitting BTE earmolds may cause feedback, a whistle sound caused by the fit of the hearing aid or by buildup of earwax or fluid.

Canal Aids fit into the ear canal and are available in two sizes. The In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aid is customized to fit the size and shape of the ear canal and is used for mild or moderately severe hearing loss. A Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aid is largely concealed in the ear canal and is used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Because of their small size, canal aids may be difficult for the user to adjust and remove, and may not be able to hold additional devices, such as a telecoil. Canal aids can also be damaged by earwax and ear drainage. They are not typically recommended for children.

Body Aids are used by people with profound hearing loss. The aid is attached to a belt or a pocket and connected to the ear by a wire. Because of its large size, it is able to incorporate many signal processing options, but it is usually used only when other types of aids cannot be used.

On the basis of the hearing test results, the audiologist can determine whether hearing aids will help. Hearing aids are particularly useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people with sensorineural hearing loss. When choosing a hearing aid, the audiologist will consider your hearing ability, work and home activities, physical limitations, medical conditions, and cosmetic preferences. For many people, cost is also an important factor. You and your audiologist must decide whether one or two hearing aids will be best for you. Wearing two hearing aids may help balance sounds, improve your understanding of words in noisy situations, and make it easier to locate the source of sounds.

Problems while adjusting to hearing aids

Become familiar with your hearing aid. Your audiologist will teach you to use and care for your hearing aids. Also, be sure to practice putting in and taking out the aids, adjusting volume control, cleaning, identifying right and left aids, and replacing the batteries with the audiologist present.

The hearing aids may be uncomfortable. Ask the audiologist how long you should wear your hearing aids during the adjustment period. Also, ask how to test them in situations where you have problems hearing, and how to adjust the volume and/or program for sounds that are too loud or too soft.
Your own voice may sound too loud. This is called the occlusion effect and is very common for new hearing aid users. Your audiologist may or may not be able to correct this problem; however, most people get used to it over time.

Your hearing aid may "whistle." When this happens, you are experiencing feedback, which is caused by the fit of the hearing aid or by the buildup of earwax or fluid. See your audiologist for adjustments.

You may hear background noise. Keep in mind that a hearing aid does not completely separate the sounds you want to hear from the ones you do not want to hear, but there may also be a problem with the hearing aid. Discuss this with your audiologist.

Michael Sanford

About the Author: For more information on hearing aids please visit the hearing aids resource center at http://www.hearing-aids-resource-guide.info

What To Know About Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are devices that are used to aid in hearing. They are commonly used to help those who have a difficult time hearing. There are several different types of them. In many cases, they have been developed over time and the various versions of them are mainly due to the improvements that have been used.

One of the types of hearing aids is the body worn aids. These are the first type of aid to be used. Today, they are rarely used because there are better quality options available due to the improvements of technology. They use an amplification system that is connected to a mold that fits around the ear. They are large and this helps in some of the worst cases of hearing loss where other units cannot.

Another option is those that are behind the ear aids. A custom made ear mold is connected to a small case that fits behind the ear. They are used to all types of hearing loss and work well for children because of how durable they are as well as how capable they are of being connected to assistive listening devices that can be used within the classroom.

Yet another type of hearing aid that is commonly used is that of the ITE aids. These are also known as in the ear aids because that is the location that they are in. They are custom made for each person individually. They work for most all types of hearing loss as well. In most cases, a child can wear them after the age of 13 as their growing patterns have slowed down.

Although there are several other types of hearing aids on the market, it is best to speak to your doctor about which is the right device for your needs. In many cases, there will be special equipment to help you in hearing better.


Sandy Baker

About the Author: For more information please see http://www.hearing-aid-info.co.uk

Only 30% hearing impaired children from India get access to education

As many as 25,000 children on India are born with hearing impairments every year but only about 30 per cent of them get access to education, according to the National Convention of Educators of the Deaf (NCED).

Read more: WebIndia123.com

AllDeaf.com : Congregating Hearing Impaired People From All Over The World

AllDeaf.com is a Forum Board dedicated to hearing impaired people, helping them to meet one another and discuss about everyday problems, and creating a community attitude that is of great support with everyday life for those who are looking to seek advice and help.

AllDeaf.com features general chat forums along with categorized sections in which holds topics of high interest for hearing impaired people. One of the most active forums is the “Hearing Aids & Cochlear Implants” forum, or the “Deaf Education” and “Sign Language” forum. The presence of people that are just curious in respect to deaf culture enriches the discussion giving an occasion of confront for everyone.

Read more: PRWeb

Deaf-defying

Derek Glover, 72 - who was hearing aids for 15 years - was 7,000ft up in the Italian Dolomites on a skiing holiday when he heard a loud noise in his ears. He said: "My daughter's voice suddenly became really clear. It was unbelievable. I can hear everything."

The pensioner's hearing started to deteriorate during National Service 50 years ago when he worked on a firing range. Derek, of Bourne, Lincs, said: "No one has been able to give me an explanation, but the doctors tell me my ears are pretty perfect."

Source: Mirror.co.uk

Tiny hearing aids cosmetically appealing

Hearing aids come in many different styles, which typically refer to the size of the hearing aid, not the circuitry inside the hearing aid.

Hearing aids no longer fill a table or a shirt pocket. Since the 1940s, when hearing aids were first introduced, their size has continued to decrease.

As the components inside hearing aids have become miniaturized, the hearing aids themselves also have become miniaturized. Hearing aids now fit in or on the ear itself, and some hearing aids fit entirely in the ear canal.

Read more: timesnews.net