Frequently asked questions about hearing loss and hearing aids

Questions and Answers

I have been told that I have nerve deafness. Will hearing instruments help?

Possibly. Most hearing instrument users suffer from this type of loss. Medical experts generally agree that no effective medical treatment has been found for nerve deafness. If you are one of the estimated 40 million Americans who suffer from this kind of hearing loss, you should consult a hearing professional.

 

My hearing isn’t really so bad. Why shouldn’t I put off getting hearing instruments?

It is sad and wasteful to live a life less than at its fullest. Remember, hearing instruments cannot restore your hearing to normal. They may only add strength to the hearing you have left. Early help may lead to the greatest benefit from the use of hearing instruments.

 

I can hear people when they talk, but sometimes have difficulty understanding what they are saying. How are hearing and understanding related?

Understanding words and sentences is a function of your brain. Your ears collect sound, transform it into nerve impulses and send them to the brain where understanding takes place. If deadening of the nerves (celia) has occurred, understanding may become difficult or sometimes impossible because parts of the sound are missing. A properly fitted hearing instrument is designed to compensate for a loss of sensitivity, and may improve your ability to perceive sound.

 

I can understand when one person is speaking in a quiet room. But will hearing instruments help me to understand in a crowd?

Much of the noise in our surroundings is low-pitched and tends to mask out the weaker, high-pitched sounds that give speech meaning. The latest development to solve hearing and understanding problems in a crowd is the NU-EAR Low Frequency Reduction Switch (LFRS). This tiny system reduces the frequencies where background noise exists. Although the noise is not eliminated, it’s masking effect may be reduced.

 

I have difficulty hearing with both ears. Do I have to wear an instrument in each ear?

When both ears are impaired, two-ear assistance may be superior to that of a single instrument.

 

Hearing instruments are so small. Why are they expensive and why do some cost more than others?

Hearing losses are as different as fingerprints. With most patients, it entails the manufacture of a precise electronic device specifically designed for that individual. A hearing instrument fitted at a lower cost may be a stock instrument designed to fit many losses. A custom, one of- a-kind hearing instrument designed to fit your individual loss is more expensive.

 

A doctor told me hearing instruments wouldn’t help. What can I do?

Technological advances in the design of hearing instruments have given many hearing impaired individuals the opportunity to enjoy the possible benefits of amplification. Although some people may not be helped by hearing instruments, you should have a thorough test by a hearing professional to assure yourself.

 

My hearing has been getting worse. If I am fit with hearing instruments, will I have to replace them soon?

A hearing instrument is normally fitted with adjustable circuitry, which, to a degree, may be adjusted to your changing hearing loss.

 

I’m not sure hearing instruments will help me. Should I try before I buy?

To succeed with amplification, one must be fully committed. In your particular case, it may take longer than a “trial period” to fully adapt, and receive maximum benefit from the instruments. If you prematurely stop using the instruments, you may never know how close to success you were.

 

I have a friend who has a hearing instrument but doesn’t use it. Why should I take the chance of doing the same thing?

Since all hearing losses and instruments are different, your friend may have been mis-fitted or obtained a stock instrument not suitable for their precise hearing loss, and was unable to wear the instrument comfortably. Today’s custom-built hearing instruments are fit by your NU-EAR Authorized Dispenser with great precision to fit your particular needs.

 

Are hearing instruments hard to wear?

At one time, the only hearing instruments available were bulky and uncomfortable to wear. Today, however, you may be fit with hearing instruments that are custom-built to fit entirely within your ear canal. Adjustment to a custom-built instrument may prove easy for most persons.

 

What should I do if my hearing instruments need repair, adjustment, or are accidentally misplaced?

Policies vary, but your NU-EAR Authorized Dispenser may include “in-office” service for repair and adjustment of your hearing instruments. You may also purchase a separate policy to protect against loss.

 

Is there another alternative to wearing a traditional hearing aid?

Yes, today there is an alternative to wearing a traditional hearing aid. Traditional instruments like body aids, BTE’s, In-the-Ear or In-the-Canal instruments may remain visible and fail to use the natural acoustics of the outer ear. An innovative fitting procedure using a tiny electro-acoustic hearing instrument, now makes it possible to hear without compromising your appearance. This total service procedure combines video otoscopy, deep canal fitting techniques, advanced modification skills and new standards in patient counseling and rehabilitation. Those persons who have this fitting procedure may experience many hearing amplification benefits.

Ask your NU-EAR Authorized Dispenser about this fitting procedure.

 

I don’t want my friends to know I am hard of hearing. Will others notice I am wearing hearing instruments?

Without question, anyone who knows you well knows you have a hearing problem. A hearing loss can be much harder to hide than a hearing instrument. But, with today’s technology, many instruments are so small they may not even be noticed!

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