Choosing The Right Custom Hearing Device
If standard hearing aids won't cut through the noise for you, you can get a custom hearing device to suit your needs. Hearing loss affects everyone differently, and a good hearing aid should be customized to fit its user.
But beware: custom hearing aids cost a bit more. Still, it is important to find the device that works best for your personal needs.
Here are some common features of hearing aids that can be customized:
Adjust your EQ.
Most people begin who suffer hearing loss begin to notice it first in higher frequencies. They begin to lose their sensitivity to high sounds. You can buy a hearing aid that boosts whichever frequencies you have the most trouble hearing.
A skilled audiologist can help you adjust your hearing aid to maximize its effectiveness. With a digital hearing aid, every aspect of the sound can be adjusted, just like the EQ on a good stereo.
Different types of hearing aids have different bands to choose from and, usually, one with more bands offers you more flexibility in controlling the sound.
Different Programs
Some hearing aids can be adjusted for different situations. With a switch on the hearing aid or a remote control, the user can choose between different settings.
For example, in a noisy environment, you can switch to a program that allows you to pick out distinct sounds more easily. If you are in a quiet place, like a church or library, you can switch to another program. This is more effective than the usual volume control feature on average hearing aids, which simply allow you to turn it up or down.
Dual Microphones
This is a great feature of new digital hearing aids. These devices have two microphones. One amplifies what is directly in front of the speaker, while the other picks up everything else.
This is ideal for cutting out background noise. When the user turns it on, the front microphone is turned up, so that the user can focus on what is right in front of him.
Noise Reduction
Like the noise reduction feature on your stereo, a hearing aid equipped with noise reduction has a computer chip that analyzes the sound spectrum and automatically cuts out frequencies that are too high.
One problem with hearing aids is that they can produce feedback. It sounds like a buzz or high pitched whistling noise. Usually, when you hear feedback, you have to turn down the hearing aid's volume. But, with feedback reduction, the computer chip picks up the feedback and neutralizes it.
These noise reduction features are only available with digital hearing aids. They offer one of the great advantages over the old analog ones.
Telephone Adapter (Telecoils)
This custom feature is designed to make talking on the phone easier. You flip a switch and the device cuts out room noise and other background noise so that you can listen to the telephone more easily.
This is a great feature, but it requires that the telephone be compatible. Check your phone first to make sure you can use the telecoils with it before buying.
When deciding which custom features are right for you, talk to you audiologist. Depending on the nature of your hearing loss, these features may be a great help. Make sure also to have your audiologist set up the systems for you.