A common question many of our patients have is, “how do hearing aids work?” or, “why are hearing aids important?”.
Hearing aids work by amplifying sound at exactly the right volume for the wearer to hear it. The technology within the hearing aid can be personalised to suit the wearer’s hearing needs, plus adapt for the unique environment they happen to be in, whether that be a quiet place like home, or a noisy café or shopping centre. Bluetooth capability allows a wearer’s smartphone to digitally capture sound (such as a phone call or music) and deliver it to the wearer. Read more detail about how hearing aids work here.
Hearing aids are important for speech comprehension, communication and to be able to listen with less conscious effort – i.e. a person wearing hearing aids won’t need to strain to hear. This is key for social interaction with family and friends, personal wellbeing, and professional success. Plus, it’s also important for emergency situations, personal safety, or receiving instructions.
Additionally, and arguably more importantly, wearing hearing aids slows cognitive decline over time as the wearer continues to use the parts of the brain that are necessary for learning and communication. Research indicates that this also helps to delay the onset of dementia.
There are a variety of different types and styles of hearing aids to suit hearing needs, budgets and lifestyles. The options that best suit you will be discussed at your Full Diagnostic Hearing Assessment appointment.
Sources:
Deloitte Access Economics Pty Ltd. (2017). Listen Hear! New Zealand. The National Foundation for the Deaf Inc.
Kochkin, S. (2011, June). Patients report improved quality of life with hearing aid usage. The Hearing Journal, 64(6), 25-32.
Get in touch to book your full diagnostic hearing assessment:
[wufoo username=”dilworthhearing” formhash=”svj7ijb1fukglt” autoresize=”true” height=”446″ header=”hide” ssl=”true”]