How You Can Help
In addition to encouraging your friend or family member to talk to an audiologist, there are other ways you can help – ways to make communication easier and to reduce the feelings of frustration and isolation that ofter characterize hearing loss.

• Be sure you have the person’s attention before you begin to speak. It is difficult for the hearing impaired to hear or lip-read if they are not looking at the speaker.
• Eye contact is very important.  Look directly at the person to whom you are speaking and make sure your face can be seen clearly.  Avoid distracting movements such as putting your hands in front of your face, touching your face, chewing or smoking.
• Speak normally – enunciate clearly and do not speak too loudly or quickly.
• Use appropriate facial expressions, gestures and body language to help communicate what you are saying.
• Reword your sentence if the person does not understand what you are saying: some words are easier to hear or lip-read than others.
• Be aware of competing noises in the room such as music, and air conditioner or refrigerator hum.  Move away ffrom these noises.
• Ask if there is anything you can do to improve the listening situation.

If you have someone in your life that you feel has hearing loss, contact us at Saline Audiology.  We are here to help!

For many people, hearing loss is a natural part of the aging proces, and the onset is so gradual they aren’t aware that their hearing is deteriorating. 
Hearing loss can also be caused by ear infections, illness, traumatic injury or prolonged exposure to noise.

It Can Happen To Anyone
Hearing loss is one of the world’s most common health problems.  It is also one of the most ignored problems, and this is unfortunate because hearing loss and its many psychological side effects are very treatable.

The Best Support
Approximately 1 in 10 people experiences some degree of hearing loss.  Happily, about 90% of these people can be helped with the use of hearing aids, which are growing more sophisticated all the time.
The most important support you can provide to someone living with an untreated hearing loss is to offer positive encouragement to speak to an audiologist about gettiing help.  Offering to accompany your family member or friend to the hearing evaluation is also appreciated by many people.

Helping Someone Cope With Hearing Loss Part 2 to be continued February 10, 2010…

Things to consider when choosing a hearing aid style:

The audiologists at Saline Audiology will conduct a number of test and ask you questions to help determine which is the best choice of hearing aid for you.

• Degree of hearing loss:  not all shell styles and technologies are appropriate for all hearing losses.
• Ear anatomy:  some ear canals are very tiny, making it almost impossible to fit a CIC.
• Lifestyle:  your different listening enviroments will help dictate the best hearing instrument to meet those needs.
• Manual dexterity:  ITCs and CICs are easy to insert, but require staeady hands.
• Cosmetic preferences:  there’s a wide range of styles from which to choose.
• Budget:  hearing aids are available in a wide range of prices with a model for every budget.

Hearing aid technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, which is great news for anyone with a hearing loss.  Engineers and research audiologists are designing hearing aids that are smaller and produce better quality sound than ever before.

If you think you have a hearing loss or you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, talk to Credonna or Lisa at Saline Audiology, we are here to help!  Benton:  501-778-3868 or HSV  501-922-0053

Here is a brief description of the different hearing aid styles:

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids fit deeply inside your ear canal, making them almost invisible.  They are cosmetically appealing.  CIC’s are suitable for mild to moderate severe hearing losses.

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids fit almost entirely inside your ear canal, making them very discreet.  They have additional room to accomodate options that may not fit on a CIC.  ITCs are suitable for mild to moderate severe hearing losses.

In-the-ear (ITE)  hearing aids fit securely in your outter ear, ensuring optimum performance and comfort.  They provide sufficent space for extra options, such as directional microphones or telecoil switches for use with a telephone.  ITEs are suitable for mild to severe hearing losses.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids sit comfortably behind your ear.  Amplified sounds pass through a tube to an earmold that fits securely in your outter ear.  BTEs are most adaptable to your changing listening needs.  They offer longer battery life and most are compatible with assistive listening devices.  BTEs are suitable for mild to profound hearing losses.

Ultra-small Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids have a discreet slim tube which directs sounds into the ear giving you a more brillant, natural sounding experience.  With ultra-small BTEs you’ll get a digital hearing aid with the most advanced technology in a sophisticated package.  These devices are appropriate for patients with mild to severe hearing losses who desire fully featured discreet hearing aids.

 Styles of Hearing Aids Part 3 to be continued February 8, 2010…

Choosing the right hearing aid for your individual needs comes down to a number of issues:

• your hearing loss 
• the features and look you prefer
• your lifestyle

There are many products to choose from, each with their own unique features and advantages.  It isn’t a case of what’s the best style of hearing aid, but rather what’s the best style of hearing aid for you!

Your hearing aids are an important investment with equally important benefits.  Here are some key considerations to help you make your decision.

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)

 

In-the-canal (ITC) 

 

In-the-ear (ITE)

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

Ultra-Small Behind-the-ear (BTE)

Hearing Aid Styles Part 2 to be continued on February 6, 2010…