Advances in computers and communications have made life easier. Hearing-aid technology has also progressed but myths still circulate about problems with hearing devices. We wish to outline the advances and dispel some of these urban legends.
Myth 1: “Hearing aids never stop whistling” Feedback management has been a major focus of hearing-aid innovation and there is no excuse for continually whistling aids. Hearing aids use complex algorithms to identify feedback and eliminate whistle without reducing overall volume, so a greater range of hearing losses can be helped by smaller, less-occluding hearing aids.
Myth 2: “Hearing aids make your own voice sound echoey and unnatural” The advent of better feedback suppression has allowed the development of open-fitting hearing aids. The ear canal is less occluded, the sound of the wearer’s own voice is more natural and there is less resonance and hollowness. New wearers may be surprised to hear their own voices for the first time; they usually adapt quickly and can often reduce the volume at which they speak because they can more effectively monitor how loudly they are talking.
Myth 3: “Hearing aids are no good when there is background noise” Today’s hearing aids constantly monitor incoming sound and decide what environment a listener is in: ‘speech’ is highly modulated whereas ‘noise’ tends to be quite flat. Hearing aids divide the frequency range into several channels and when noise is identified, noise reduction is applied to this channel only without compromising the speech in other channels. Modern hearing aids use directional microphones to reduce noise from beside and behind the wearer and have the fast processing capability to dampen uncomfortable sounds such as pots clanging. Echo-recognition can assist in reverberant listening environments. Advanced pairs of aids can work as a single unit, making combined decisions about when to apply noise reduction and in which ear. Do remember, though, that very noisy situations are difficult even for someone with normal hearing.
Myth 4: “Hearing aids just make everything louder” Modern hearing aids are digital and are generally set up using a system called compression. This means that the amplification given to a sound is dependent on the original volume of the incoming sound. For example, a sound which is already uncomfortably loud (such as a truck passing) is not amplified whereas a soft sound (such as whispering) is given sufficient gain to be audible. Up-to-date hearing aids improve speech clarity rather than just increasing volume.
Myth 5: “Hearing aids are not helpful for severe or profound hearing losses” Until recently, there was limited research focusing on aids for those with severe and profound hearing loss. Nowadays there is little need to compromise on features when power is required. Many power aids incorporate frequency shifting which enables better perception of high pitches despite a severe–profound loss at these frequency ranges. FM systems allow a remote microphone to transmit sound directly to the hearing aids; this is effective for challenging situations, such as social gatherings, lectures, meetings and outdoor events. Power aids are now more robust and moisture resistant.
Myth 6: “Hearing aids are no good on the phone” With the advent of Bluetooth technology, hearing aids can link to cellphones and landlines and this enables stereo whistlefree phone calls direct to the wearer’s ears; hearing aids can double as a convenient hands-free car kit. Some are capable of streaming a landline call from the phone ear to the opposite ear; this bilateral hearing improves intelligibility. Similarly, streaming of music and TV audio to hearing aids via Bluetooth gives superior sound quality and convenience. Traditional induction-coil systems are still available and can be very effective when set up correctly with an appropriate phone.
Myth 7: “Hearing aids are all big and beige” With ongoing advances in technology, hearing aids are increasingly treated like spectacles with varied colours and shapes, so they can be as discreet or as funky as the wearer chooses.
Myth 8: “Hearing aids will be too expensive” Hearing aids vary in technology and there is a corresponding range of prices. Not everyone needs top-of-the-line hearing aids and many basic aids now include several advanced features. The way to find the most appropriate aid is to have a comprehensive needs assessment with a qualified audiologist. At Dilworth Hearing, there is no cost for this assessment and patients receive a complimentary demonstration of aids. Please call one of our clinics and an Audiologist will be happy to talk with you and answer any questions about hearing-aid technology. Together we’ll make a difference.
