Category — Hearing Aids

One major concern with aging adults experiencing hearing loss is the appearance of traditional hearing aids. Traditional hearing aids are generally flesh colored and sit behind the ear, with an attachment that fits completely into the ear canal. These large, often uncomfortable, hearing aids used to be the only option for people experiencing hearing loss.

Today’s technology allows people experiencing hearing loss a wide range of smaller, less visible hearing aids. There are many current studies that cite appearance of hearing aids as a major reason to not use them, regardless of their effectiveness or benefits. In a majority of hearing loss patients, even the smallest available hearing aids can provide relief from the symptoms of hearing loss.

When learning that their child suffers from hearing loss, parents understandably have questions and concerns about treatment options.  Fortunately, many children with hearing impairments can benefit from the use of hearing aids.  After an audiologist conducts an evaluation, parents will receive information about certain therapies for children and hearing loss devices that can greatly improve their child’s quality of life.

Factors such as birth defects, ear infections, or injuries can cause hearing loss in children.  While some children are born with a hearing impairment, others do not begin to show signs of hearing loss until they are several years of age.  Parents typically become concerned about hearing problems when their child fails to acquire speech and does not respond to questions or comments.  Through a series of tests, audiologists can determine whether a child has sensorineural (inner ear) hearing loss, the degree to which the child is affected, and the type of hearing aid that is most effective for specific cases of children and hearing loss.

Depression is a chronic, serious mental illness that can lead to other, more dangerous conditions.  Depression can suppress the immune system and even lead to paranoia and borderline schizophrenia in some people.  Most people would be surprised to learn how closely undiagnosed hearing loss and depression have been linked in older adults.  There have been several studies that validate the link between hearing loss and depression.  One such study by the National Council on Aging found, of the 2,300 adults over age 50 in the study, those with undiagnosed hearing loss were more likely to suffer from depression and its attendant feelings of sadness, anxiety and paranoia.

The traditional images hearing aids conjure are of flesh colored blocks that are stuck behind your ears with an ear plug stuck in your ear.  Another image that may spring to mind is the elderly man or woman wandering around with their walker saying, “What was that, sonny?”  It is just this sort of image that may literally scare people away from investigating the assistance and relief that can be found with hearing aids.  

Digital hearing aid manufacturer sets the bar high by producing the highest hearing aid technology for the lowest price.

(PRWEB) October 14, 2009 — Most of the high cost of http://www.myhearpod.com hearing aids is not for the actual hearing aid, but for the service given by person dispensing the hearing aids. Most providers say the high costs associated with hearing aids are for the service they will provide customers for the life of their hearing aid. Many however offer very little service in exchange for the thousands of dollars given to them by customers, with some even charging for office visits.

One of the most important aspects of a wonderful marriage is good communication.  It is so important to really listen to your spouse and understand what your partner is trying to say.  If your mate has to keep repeating things because you don’t hear, or if you pretend to hear when you don’t, you could have problems.  Your spouse may even stop trying to communicate with you unless it’s really necessary, and you will miss out on all the little things you used to enjoy talking about with him/her.

Of the millions of people worldwide burdened with hearing loss, many do not seek treatment. Yet, when one member of a family has a hearing problem, it affects the entire family. It changes lifestyles and the quality of life.

A major complaint among couples and families, without regard to hearing loss, is the breakdown of communication. Families find it increasingly more difficult to talk with one another for a myriad of reasons. Hearing loss only further exacerbates this problem.

The inability to properly communicate with a spouse, family member or friend places incredible strain on relationships. Not only do misunderstandings occur, but often people become annoyed and even angry. These issues compound the communication problem and further stress relationships.

This was sent to me and I think it shows the benefits of digital technology available today.

Hearing and Confusion in My 90 Year Old Mom.  Did Mom hear what I said, or pretend? Is she confused?  She IS 89 and has dementia.  She asks the same things constantly.  

A few years ago my brothers and I replaced her ten-year old hearing aids.  There was new technology available. We hoped she would benefit from it.  She certainly did!  The new hearing aids had three settings: the first for normal conversation in a small area, the second for a medium amount of background noise (the aids worked in a way to reduce background noise and amplify what was being said nearby), and the third for situations with a lot of background noise, like restaurants.  The settings were simple for an older person to grasp.  There was a small button on the aid she could push to change the setting.  This system worked very well for several years.  

One of the most difficult things in the world for many individuals to deal with is hearing loss. Though hearing loss might seem like a normal part of the aging process that people should learn to deal with, the social repercussions of these problems is much greater than most realize. Losing your hearing is not something that is easily dealt with and it can be a tough adjustment for people who have spent their entire lives with good hearing. So how are those people with poor hearing adjusting? What sorts of things are they going through?

Hearing loss affects most people at some point in their lives. Whether it’s a family member whose hearing isn’t what it used to be or your own hearing is waning, this is a very common problem. With age or occasional injury, comes a decrease in normal hearing. Luckily, there are solutions to hearing loss; these can bring back normal living.

The effects of hearing loss are immense and often permeate all aspects of life. The physical effects are those associated with hearing loss: being unable to hear conversations, misunderstanding what people say to you, and sounds being muffled. All of these can be frustrating to family members and others, as your hearing loss can be misconstrued as you not listening or not wanting to pay attention to a conversation.