Hearing Aids: A Medical Treatment Guide
A clinical overview of hearing aids as a medical treatment, detailing who needs them, the benefits, and what to expect during the fitting process.
Hearing aids are battery-powered electronic devices that you wear in or behind your ear. They make sounds louder so that you can hear better. They’re a common treatment for hearing loss, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While they cannot restore natural hearing, they significantly improve communication and quality of life.
Who Needs Hearing Aids?
You might need hearing aids if you have damage to your inner ear, or if you find yourself straining to hear conversations, asking people to repeat themselves, or turning up the volume on the TV so loud that others complain. Hearing aids are primarily used for sensorineural hearing loss, which happens when hair cells in your inner ear (cochlea) or the nerve pathways from your inner ear to your brain are damaged.
The Evaluation Process
Generally, audiologists perform hearing aid evaluations. Your primary care physician (PCP) or otolaryngologist (ENT) can refer you. The process typically involves:
- Hearing Test: Determines the type and degree of hearing loss.
- Evaluation: The audiologist helps you choose the right hearing aid based on your prescription and lifestyle.
- Fitting: Customizing the settings and ensuring a comfortable physical fit.
Benefits and Risks
Hearing aids can help you hear better. They can’t cure hearing loss, but they can turn the volume up on conversations you don’t want to miss. Many have features that can reduce sounds you don’t want to hear (like background noise).
Cognitive Health
According to research, by helping you hear better, hearing aids can help keep your thinking sharp. Hearing aids can also combat social isolation and depression by helping you engage with others. This is especially important for people who are at high risk of dementia as they get older.
"By helping you hear better, hearing aids can help keep your thinking sharp and combat social isolation."
How Long Do They Last?
Most hearing aids last between three to seven years. With proper care and maintenance, some can last even longer. However over time, the electronic components can break down due to moisture, earwax, and daily wear and tear. It is recommended to have your hearing checked annually, as your prescription may change over time.
Source Reference
Originally published by Cleveland Clinic.