How do I know if I have a hearing loss?
Hearing loss is often a gradual process, so it can go unnoticed for many years as you learn to live with the effects, or sometimes you may not want to admit you have a problem with your hearing. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, it is possible you have a problem with your hearing, and we would recommend booking yourself for a hearing test so you can get a definitive answer, explore treatment options and get on with enjoying life again.
You often have to ask people to repeat themselves or don’t hear what they say
You find conversation in groups difficult to follow
You find it difficult to hear people on the telephone
People often tell you that your TV or radio volume is too high
You struggle to hear conversations when there is background noise such as in a café or noisy office
You often feel as though people are mumbling when talking to you
You find it difficult to identify where a sound is coming from
You find yourself avoiding social situations because you are concerned that you won’t be able to hear
People have suggested that your hearing may not be what it used to be
Modern, digital hearing aids are small, discreet and comfortable
For many hearing aid users, visibility is an important factor. No matter if you choose a hearing aid that sits behind the ear or one that sits in the ear, modern hearing aids looks very different from the big, beige and whistling bananas you might remember your grandfather wearing. They are tiny sophisticated computers in an elegant and discreet casing.
Choosing a hearing aid
If you are diagnosed with a hearing loss which can be treated with hearing aids, there may be several options for you to choose from, and what is available to you will depend largely on the type and severity of hearing loss you are diagnosed with.
We are here to help guide you towards finding a solution which is perfect for you. There are four key considerations to bear in mind when choosing the type of hearing aid which is right for you:
Styles of hearing aid
BEHIND-THE-EAR (BTE)
BTEs are usually the best (and often only) solution for individuals with a severe hearing loss. They are also a great solution if you have smaller ear canals.
All the electronic parts in the hearing aids are in the housing that sits behind your ear. A customised ear-mould and a tube direct sound into your ear. You can easily control volume and select programmes on most BTE’s.
RECEIVER-IN-CANAL (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are similar to BTE’s in shape and style, but are smaller because the receiver (or the loudspeaker) is placed in the ear-tip instead of the housing. These hearing aids are most suitable if you have mild to severe hearing loss.
With RIC hearing aids, sound is sent directly from the housing behind your ear through a thin wire to the receiver which is in your ear canal. Not only do they provide outstanding sound, they are discreet and fully automatic.
RECEIVER-IN-THE-EAR (RITE)
Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids transmit sound to a receiver that sits just outside your ear on the concha – the hollow next to your ear canal.
Whether or not RITE hearing aids are suitable for you depends on the shape of your ear and your degree of hearing loss. If you want a smaller housing than a BTE, then RITE hearing aids may be the solution.
IN-THE-EAR (ITE)
ITE hearing aids are suitable for most types of hearing losses. They are usually small and sit in the outer portion of the ear canal. Depending on the size of the ear canal an in the ear hearing aid may be relatively discreet.
When you are fitted for an ITE, the shell of the hearing aid is custom-made to fit the shape of your ear. This shell contains all vital electronics and is great for people on-the-go who need their hearing aids to stay in place.
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