Hearing aids

Hearing loss affects most people at some point in their lives. About two-thirds of people over age 71 are coping with some degree of hearing loss. And the problem is becoming more common in younger adults as well.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our audiology specialists are trained to spot hearing loss and effectively treat it. In most cases, hearing aids are an important part of hearing loss treatment.

What are hearing aids?

Hearing aids, also called amplification devices, are used to improve a person’s ability to hear and communicate. These electronic devices amplify sound (make it louder) and deliver it to the ear.

Wearing hearing aids can’t always restore perfect hearing, but for many people, they are an effective solution.

Types of hearing aids

Modern hearing aids are high-tech devices. Many use digital technology and provide Bluetooth connectivity directly to your smartphone or TV.

Hearing aids are available over the counter and by prescription. For people with moderate to severe hearing loss, prescription hearing aids – fitted by a professional audiologist – are usually the best choice.

There are several types of hearing aids to choose from, including:

• Behind the ear (BTE): This is the largest type of hearing aid. It has all the working parts contained in a small plastic case that’s placed behind the ear. The case is connected by a piece of clear tubing to an earmold that goes into the ear canal.
• In the ear (ITE): These smaller devices sit inside the outer ear.
• In the canal (ITC): Even smaller and less visible are hearing aids that fit into the ear canal.
• Extended wear: These hearing aids are placed deep in the ear canal by an audiologist and are virtually invisible. Once in place, you can wear them 24/7 for several weeks or months at a time.

Adjusting to wearing hearing aids

Retraining your brain to hear and process sounds can take time. Suddenly hearing everything around you – especially after years of hearing loss – can be jarring.

To help navigate the challenges of adjusting to hearing aids, you can:

• Start at home: Wearing them around the house, even when you’re alone, can help you ease into hearing aid use.
• Wear them consistently: It can be tempting to take them out every time they bother you, but being consistent will help you adapt more quickly.
• Gradually expand the amount of time and the places you wear them: As you become more accustomed to your hearing aids, try wearing them at a restaurant, outdoors or in a crowded place.
• Remove them: Take your hearing aids out when sleeping or bathing to protect them and keep them from getting damaged.

Hearing aid benefits

Hearing aids can do much more than improve your ability to hear and communicate. Research has shown that untreated hearing loss can have a big impact on your mental, physical and emotional health.

Treating your hearing loss by consistently wearing hearing aids can help reduce your risk of:

• Cognitive decline
• Dementia
• Depression
• Falling
• Heart disease
• Loneliness
• Social isolation