Advances in Mental Health

If you or someone you love is experiencing mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are a great tool to provide some relief. There are a few different types of hearing aids to choose from. Your doctor will help you choose which type is best for your hearing loss. 

What Is a Hearing Aid?

A hearing aid is a small electronic device that can go in or behind the ear to assist someone who has difficulty hearing. Hearing aids are made up of three main parts. Those parts include:

• Microphone
• Amplifier
• Speaker

Though they are small devices, their job is to make the sounds around you louder. The microphone in the hearing aid is responsible for picking up the sounds that need to be amplified. The sounds are then sent through the amplifier to make them louder and clearer for the user. Once amplified, the sounds are sent back out through the speaker and into the user's ear. This sounds like a lengthy process, but this all happens at the same time as the noises are occurring. Hearing aids will not cause a lapse in conversation. 

Who Needs a Hearing Aid?

Hearing aids are designed to help anyone who experiences hearing loss. Hearing loss is not reserved for a specific group of people. It can occur in anyone, from children to adults. Hearing loss is something you can be born with, or it can develop over time. Some causes of hearing loss can include:

• Trauma to the head or ear
• Ear infections
• Wax buildup
• Aging
• Excessive exposure to loud noises
• Abnormal bone growth or tumors

Hearing loss can be gradual; you may not notice it right away. Once you do notice it, it's important to talk to your doctor about your options. It's common for hearing aids to be an option. If your doctor does think hearing aids are the best option, they will help you figure out the level of hearing loss you're experiencing and the best-fit hearing aid for you. 

Types of Hearing Aids

There are a few different main types of hearing aids that you may be offered. Those types of hearing aids can include:

• In-the-ear
• Behind-the-ear
• In-the-canal

The in-the-ear and behind-the-ear hearing aids are designed for higher levels of hearing loss. The in-the-canal hearing aid is designed for lower levels of hearing loss. Because of their smaller size, they can't transmit as high of a volume and hold a shorter battery life.