| notice our vision is changing, we get glasses. If we | | | | audiologist. They are professionals who are experts |
| experience tooth pain, we visit the dentist. Anytime a | | | | at administering hearing tests, making |
| person breaks a bone, medical attention is sought to | | | | recommendations and properly programming hearing |
| set and cast it. | | | | aids according to results of audiograms. Because of |
| However, if we can't hear real well we just turn up | | | | the level of expertise that is required, audiologists are |
| the volume on the radio or TV to the point we can't | | | | required to possess a master's degree and must be |
| hear the doorbell, or the phone ringing, and think | | | | licensed by the state in which they practice. You also |
| we're doing just fine with everything. Why are | | | | have hearing aid dispensers who must be certified by |
| hearing aids so scary to us? The National Institute of | | | | the state, but do not have the level of education an |
| Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states | | | | audiologist has. Often these professionals are more |
| that hearing loss is found in over 28 million people. | | | | like sales people who try to sell hearing aids |
| Hearing aids can help with a wide range of auditory | | | | manufactured by a specific company. Remember, |
| issues. Everything has changed in recent years as it | | | | they do not have as high a level of education as an |
| relates to hearing aids. They now utilize digital | | | | audiologist, but need to be state certified. |
| technology, just as computers, televisions, and radios. | | | | Hearing aids can be put into four categories. The |
| This has enhanced reliability and sound quality, all in a | | | | ones referred to as "completely in the canal" are the |
| smaller package. No more "clunky" old hearing aids | | | | smallest and almost invisible. While they tend to have |
| that remind you of your grandfather. | | | | the highest price tag, these are not for people with |
| Due to the microphones, receivers, batteries, and | | | | severe hearing impairments. |
| computer chips required for the newest versions of | | | | The next choice is "in the canal" hearing aids. These |
| hearing aids, audiologist can now adjust one to meet | | | | hearing instruments are slightly larger then the ones |
| anyone's needs. Newer hearing aids have become | | | | just discussed, but they still fit a ways into the ear |
| smaller and much more discreet, and are | | | | canal. Needing a slightly bigger battery, the canal |
| programmed to precisely compensate for each | | | | hearing aids are recommended for a mild to |
| individual's loss of hearing issues. | | | | moderate case of hearing loss. |
| Similar to snow flakes, no two hearing impairments | | | | Next you have the "in the ear" hearing aids which can |
| are exactly alike. Some people struggle hearing | | | | be seen by others and are used for a variety of |
| various frequencies, from high pitched to low pitched. | | | | hearing impairments. The most well know hearing |
| Some people are unable to hear certain words when | | | | instruments are the "behind the ear" devices, which |
| they're talking with others and try to fill in the blank | | | | use a larger battery, are inside a case that goes over |
| spots, due to the fact they just don't hear sound | | | | and behind an ear, and gives greater amplification |
| frequencies (for instance, consonants are referred to | | | | than most of the smaller instruments. You can still |
| as high-end, while vowel sounds are the low-end). | | | | obtain an analog hearing aid at small price, but you |
| Other people simply have an issue with volume. | | | | have to understand that they do not have the |
| Because most sounds will register to the soft side, | | | | advanced technology of the newer versions. |
| that's the cause of loud TVs and radios, as well as as | | | | It is now shown statistically that some 28 million |
| a speaker to repeat themselves because they're | | | | Americans, of any and all ages, are suffering from a |
| being heard clearly. | | | | loss of hearing. You may be interested in these other |
| An audiologist can administer hearing tests and | | | | hearing facts. The cause stems from either an |
| determine just how the hearing aid needs to be | | | | obstruction in the ear, or disease, or injury to the ear. |
| programmed. Yearly hearing tests should be received | | | | Of the people with hearing impairments, 95% can |
| by anyone with a hearing impairment, even if it is a | | | | experience corrected hearing using a hearing aid. |
| very slight hearing loss. Hearing experts have three | | | | Younger generations are beginning to experience |
| different levels of educations. Otolaryngologists, also | | | | more hearing loss than ever before. A 17 percent |
| known as ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors, go | | | | increased in hearing impairment among 18 to 44 |
| through 8 years of education and training. They are | | | | year-old has been reported from 1971 to 1990. |
| able to treat hearing impairments that are the result | | | | Temporary hearing loss is usually caused by otitis |
| of medical conditions. | | | | media. This condition is suffered by 70% of all infants |
| The next classification of hearing specialist is an | | | | and young children. |