...READ THIS IF YOU'VE JUST HAD A HEARING TEST, AND PRESCRIBABLE HEARING LOSS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED
The 1st step is your full REALIZATION of the problem
- a prescribable hearing loss is present ALL the time!
You will need commitment and patience…
It is now confirmed that you have a prescribable hearing loss. It’s very important you take positive action to correct this. Hearing loss usually gets worse over time.
Please note; the ability of your hearing aid audiologist to correctly program your hearing system is critical to the success of the fitting. Incorrect programming can weaken, or even completely invalidate the technology. Skillful and intuitive understanding of your specific needs and listening to your feedback over several visits is a vital component to eventual satisfaction (Think about the difference between being attended to by a dedicated and experienced Nurse or Motor mechanic, and one not so skilled!).
Once fitted, you must wear the instruments as instructed and communicate any programming needs clearly. Unfortunately, hearing aids do not deliver instant results.
SPECIFICATION –You'll need the correct number of channels, the right compression level and processing speed to match your expectations and lifestyle requirements
This is not as complicated as it sounds!
At present, there is widespread consumer misunderstanding about the differences in digital hearing aid technology and performance. It is useful to understand some basic measures of performance.
Speech covers a variety of frequencies - from low pitched loud vowels to high-pitched quiet fricative consonants. Hearing loss usually varies in severity across a range of frequencies. When fitting a loss, the dispenser wants to match the right amount of amplification to the appropriate frequencies. The more channels, the more accurate the matching.
If a hearing loss is relatively flat across the frequency spectrum, is recent and straight-forward in pathology and the user’s lifestyle is very limited then 1 or 2 channels will be sufficient.
Otherwise, multi-channel systems are preferable.
Please also bear in mind that the processing speed of a channel varies considerably from product to product (of current products, the processing speed varies from 1 million bits per second down to 200 bits per second!). Note: There are many single channel aids offered in the market at attractive prices, however they are always technically inferior to the free NHS provision.
Also, Each manufacturer’s product tends to work on a designed principle of compression that gives it it’s own specific sound (or say, taste, like different wines have unique flavours).
Quite often, a client will dislike a make purely on that factor, no matter how expensive the hearing system is. Some hearing aids will always sound ‘too sharp’, ‘too echoey’, too ‘muffled’, ‘not distinct’ etc. So, it’s very important your Dispenser can choose from all products available and that a money back period is provided.
BALANCE - In all cases, BINAURAL BALANCE is crucial. Make sure that is the case!
All new fittings should be double tested for actual balance from side to side.
Subjective differences in sound can occur when hearing aids are not double-checked
at the point of fitting. (If the audiogram and computer are relied on too much, imbalance often results)
After the initial programming is done, a sound should be presented to each ear separately and the wearer asked to confirm the sound is the same. This balance checking is an excellent way to periodically check your own hearing aids.
USEABILITY – Will you be able to operate the aids?
Do you go for manual volume control, a program button, a remote control or ‘Automatic’?
Manual volume controls are tricky to balance on a daily basis. Handling wherever a change in environment occurs is tiring. However, being able to decide on volume level suits some clients. And the recent development of ‘Intelligent Learning volume controls’ is of great interest.
Alternately, an ultrasonic remote control or small push-button on the instrument can be provided. This allows the user to change the listening program, possibly for comparison tests over the first weeks or for specifically challenging environments. This provides greater versatility and for more rigorous testing of any device. It may be rather fatiguing or over-complicated for some users but does offer the greatest level of user-control. Most will prefer the easiest to use Automatic systems and the increased Dispenser contact that these entail.
PRESCRIPTION HABILITATION
Full prescription is rarely acceptable on day 1
The majority of clients will initially prefer a toned-down volume and frequency setting. However, after a short testing period, they will be ready for an increased signal closer to full prescription. Too much, too soon generally leads to rejection. This effective approach greatly increases the likelihood of success and is provided by me over a course of visits.
Understanding the possible consequences of ignoring the problem…
AUDITORY DEPRIVATION v AUDITORY ENHANCEMENT
“Hearing aids stimulate brain activity
A hearing aid does more than help you hear. It also helps your brain remember the sounds you cannot hear without your hearing aid.
Most often, hearing loss sneaks up on you. Suddenly one day, you notice that you no longer hear the humming of the refrigerator or the birds’ singing. On average (in the UK), it takes 10 to 15 years for people with hearing loss to finally do something about it. Many people are simply waiting for the hearing problem to go away. This rarely happens.
Untreated hearing loss affects your quality of life, but it also affects the brain’s ability to remember common everyday sounds because the hearing channels are no longer effectively used. When the hearing nerves lose their function and no longer channel sound signals to the brain, the brain ’forgets’ the sounds over time and becomes unable to understand them.
Memory weakening
The brain centre for hearing stores sounds and noises for up to three years following the onset of a hearing loss. But after about seven years the memory becomes weaker and weaker. Therefore, it is important to have your hearing tested and hearing aids fitted when you find that you are losing some of your hearing. Once you have hearing aids the hearing processing resumes supplying signals to the brain.
Learning to hear again
If the fitting of hearing aids is seriously delayed, however, they will not be able to
transform the incoming sound signals into understandable information. This means that the brain no longer recognizes ordinary everyday sounds and noises, such as the hum of the refrigerator or the computer. The brain must learn to hear all over again.
If you have any doubts about your hearing, you should see your hearing professional and have a hearing test” (Source: Forum Besser Hören, 2002)
Raised Voice
Auditory deprivation can affect your recognition of your own speech sound.
The level of control you have on the amplitude of your voice can be affected by an untreated hearing loss. Those with hearing loss will often raise their voice inappropriately. Often on the ‘phone or in general conversation with family members. This unfortunately will be misread by some, often children, as aggression.
Your conversation style may alter as a result of your hearing loss. It is not unusual for those with hearing loss to talk over others, seemingly intent on finishing what they want to say before allowing an answer. Conversation may become rather stop-start… again possibly being misinterpreted in manner.
Please act soon.
visit my Company at http://www.hearingchecktoday.co.uk/
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