Hearing aids assist perception of speech or other sounds. People who have got difficulty in interpersonal communication skills should wear an adequate hearing aid after consulting the Audiologist.

WHO NEEDS A HEARING AID ?

In essence, you need a hearing aid if the cost/benefit ratio is reasonable. An ideal hearing aid candidate is someone with a mild-moderate bilateral hearing loss, and who has experienced a noticeable communication handicap. Many individuals who have good hearing on one side can adjust reasonably well to any degree of hearing loss on the other side. Hearing aids are not indicated for an ear with minimal hearing loss, and are also not very useful in an ear with profound hearing loss. In other words, hearing aids are usually most appreciated in people with mild to moderately severe degree of hearing loss on both sides.

SITUATION
USUAL BENEFIT

Minimal or no hearing loss
Minimal or no benefit (little to gain)
Moderate hearing loss
Good benefit
Profound hearing loss
Minimal or no benefit from conventional aid (consider cochlear implant if the loss is bilateral or BAHA if the loss is unilateral)

WHAT TESTS ARE NECESSARY BEFORE SELECTING A HEARING AID?

Audiological evaluation — determine type (i.e. sensorineural, conductive or auditory processing disorder),degree, and slope of hearing loss. Determine word recognition score with and without amplification. The evaluation should be able to predict the amount of benefit from a hearing aid,in terms of speech comprehension.

Otologic evaluation — determines whether medical or surgical treatment is possible. Medical clearance is advisable before purchasing a hearing aid.

TYPES OF HEARING AIDS

a) Pocket type hearing aid
b) Behind the ear type hear ing aid
c) In the ear hearing aid
d) In the canal hearing aid &
e) Completely in the canal hearing aid