From time to time, we can all experience a minor dulling of our senses due to stress. In addition, having a virus during this time of year can affect your capacity to taste and smell in the same way you normally would, and becoming older can decrease your ability to react to and feel particular senses, for example. Hearing loss is another thing that can creep up on us as we get older, but can also happen as a result of illness or exposure to loud noises or other lifestyle issues.
If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss and you want to learn more about hearing loss and what to expect as the condition worsens, you can consult this guide, but your audiologist should always be your first point of contact for questions.
Several Types of Hearing Loss
The most common types of hearing loss are categorized into three categories: noise-induced hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss: This signals that a problem is developing in either the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sound to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss can be temporary or permanent.
Conductive hearing loss: This is a condition in which sound does not enter the inner ear, usually as a result of a blockage or trauma to the ear.
Mixed hearing loss: This refers to hearing loss that is produced by a combination of the two factors listed above.
The Benefits of Wearing Hearing Aids
The majority of people who have hearing loss will be advised to invest in hearing aids. Audiologists can guide you through the process of determining which devices are most suited and will provide the most benefit to you. As well as understanding the installation procedure, they will be able to assist you with the upkeep of your appliances, the diagnosis of potential problems, and the repairs of your appliances should the need arise.
Hearing Aid Varieties
Completely in canal (CIC): These are extremely small and inconspicuous, making them practically impossible to detect by other people. They are made to fit perfectly in your ear canal because they are custom-crafted. The only drawback to these is that they can become clogged with earwax and become prone to moisture buildup.
In the canal (ITC): Small and custom-made to fit in your ear canal, ITC hearing aids are also available. They often have a longer battery life than the model mentioned above and are simple to remove and reinstall. ITC hearing aids are equipped with a directional microphone that cancels out background noise while amplifying crucial sounds such as speech.
Invisible in the canal (IIC): As the name implies, these are virtually completely imperceptible while in the canal. Because of their location and their size of them, they are a little more difficult to put on for people who have limited movement. They are also more sensitive to earwax buildup and moisture than the general population. They are, on the other hand, highly suited for decreasing wind noise and reacting to the surrounding sound environment.
Behind the ear (BTE): These devices are generally the first ones that come to mind when you think of hearing aids. They are appropriate for persons who suffer from mild to severe hearing loss. It is entirely hidden behind your ear, and a transparent tube connects it to an earpiece that is specifically made to fit within your ear canal to provide sound.
The design of newer hearing aids is more streamlined and thinner than that of earlier versions, making them a good choice for people who have dexterity difficulty or vision impairment. These hearing aids are typically able to accommodate more complex technology and functionalities than miniaturized varieties.
