The key to making hearing aids cost effective lies in just one component–the batteries. The cost of replacing them adds up quickly and that makes it one of the largest financial issues when shopping for hearing aids.

Even more worrying, what if the batteries die at absolutely the worst moment? This is a huge problem even for rechargeable brands.

so that you can avoid the need to exchange the batteries several times each week, you can do a few things to increase their life. Think about these six simple ways you can make those batteries last just a little bit longer.

1. If You’re Looking to Buy a Hearing Aid, be Smart About it

When you first start shopping for your hearing aids is when it all starts. Battery life depends on many factors like features on the hearing aids or brand quality. Not all batteries are created equally, either. Some less expensive hearing products have low quality components that work with cheaper cell batteries. Be sure to discuss this with your hearing care specialist because you will be changing out the batteries a lot.

Think about what features you need, and make some comparisons as you look around. Wireless models have batteries that need replacing 2 times as fast as models with wires. And the larger hearing aids have longer lasting batteries. These larger devices can possibly go for a couple of weeks without requiring new batteries as opposed to the smaller ones which will need battery replacement every couple of days. Understand how all of the features of a hearing aid affect the power usage and then choose the ones you require.

2. Take the Time to Store the Hearing Aids Properly

To prevent drainage of power you will normally need to open the battery door at night. Also, you will want to:

A dry, cool location is where you should keep the batteries. Humidity and heat will affect battery cells. The most important thing is to keep them away from heat sources like light bulbs. Room temperature is fine.

Also, a dehumidifier is a smart consideration. It’s one of the smartest ways to preserve both the hearing aids and their batteries. Their fragile components are easily destroyed by moisture in the air.

3. Take Precautions When Changing the Batteries

Begin with clean, dry hands. The life of the battery is negatively impacted by dampness, grease, and germs. Until it’s time to use the batteries, be certain to keep the plastic tabs in place. The latest hearing aid batteries mix zinc with the air to power up. You don’t want that to happen before you are ready.

After you remove the tab, but before you use them, it’s smart to let them sit out for 5 minutes. The battery could be prolonged by days if you do this.

4. Different Battery Sources And Batteries Can be Experimented with

Quality batteries will last longer than cheap ones, obviously. Consider not only the brands, though, but what types of hearing aid batteries you’re using and where you purchase them, as well. Big box stores commonly sell quality batteries for less per unit if you buy in quantity.

Use caution if you buy them online, particularly from an auction site like eBay. Batteries have an expiration date that they have to be sold by. Once they expire, they shouldn’t be used.

Ask your hearing specialist for advice on where to find batteries at affordable prices.

5. Be Ready For The Inevitable

The batteries are going to die eventually. If you don’t want to end up in a pinch, it’s better to get an idea when this will happen. Keep a schedule of when you change the batteries and when they fizzle. Over time, you’ll get a feel for when you need replacements.

A diary will also assist you in figuring out which brands are right for your hearing devices and what features most affect the battery life.

6. What Are the Alternatives to Batteries

Some modern day hearing aids are rechargeable and that is one of the best features. If you can save money on batteries, it will be worth paying a little more up front. If you need a bunch of features like wireless or Bluetooth, then rechargeable batteries are likely the better option.

The batteries that make hearing aids run can be as substantial an investment as the hearing aids are. Lengthening the life of your batteries and saving money starts with some due diligence. Contact a hearing aid retailer for some information on what option is best for you.

When you think about Thanksgiving, what do you think about other than turkey? Does the cooking and preparing with the family start days before? While you follow grandma’s classic pecan pie recipe, will you catch up with each other? It’s warm and comfortable because you are together, and a yummy aroma is wafting from the oven. As the family laughs about your son’s latest dating adventure or watch the grandkids laugh and put on a holiday play, will you be enjoying with them? Or are you struggling to hear what everyone is talking about?

The holiday doesn’t need to be defined for you by loss of hearing. You can take charge of your holiday experience, from hearing a salesperson at a noisy store to talking over drinks at the company party. Hearing loss doesn’t need to hold you hostage. Think about how to get the most out of your holiday despite your hearing loss. Here are some recommendations.

At Holiday Parties

Parties might be the most difficult for those with loss of hearing. Here are some suggestions that could make the experience less stressful:

• Give some visual signs of your own. You don’t have to point it out. Something as basic as cupping your hand behind your ear can let someone know you’re struggling.
• Some of the background noise can be prevented if you stand with your back to a wall.
• Pay attention to the visual clues. Someone is most likely talking to you if they are looking right at you. If you didn’t hear what they said let them know.
• Look for areas in the room that have better acoustics–maybe a quiet corner.
• In order to feel less alone, ask for a seat near the center of the table.
• If sitting through a speech, ask friends to pass you notes instead of attempting to whisper in your ear.
• Get a hearing buddy, a friend who sits with you who can repeat key things you missed.
• Your expectations have to be managed. It’s pointless walking into a party and expecting everything to go perfectly. Things will be more difficult due to your hearing loss. Don’t allow the difficulties to stress you out, just use a sense of humor about it.
• Perhaps try going out of the room, even if just for a little while. Some time for the brain to rest and recover can be extremely helpful.
• If there are any speakers which could interfere with your hearing aids, move away from them. Don’t be afraid to ask the host to turn the music down so you can hear better.

Travel Tips

Don’t permit the difficulties of hearing loss to get in the way of your travels. To make your holiday trip go smoother, try these tips.

Taking The Train or Flying

If you prefer to fly or ride the rails, it can be hard to hear announcements over the intercom. If you would like to make the trip easier there are a few things you can do. Start off by checking with the airport to see if they offer any special services for the hearing impaired. There may be an app you can get on your phone that shows vital info or visual signs that show oral announcements. They might even offer a sign language interpreter or priority boarding. You can ask for priority seating if being close enough to ask questions or read lips. Security might have a special line that you can get in, also. You won’t know what is offered until you ask, but do it a few weeks before you go.

Be sure the attendants recognize you have hearing loss when you board. That way if you don’t respond when they ask if you want a drink, they will know to tap you on the shoulder to make sure.

Lodging Tips

When you reserve your hotel room, let them know you are hearing impaired. Vibrating alarm clocks and phones that flash lights instead of ringing are devices which are offered for those who suffer from hearing loss at many resorts. So they can improve your safety, some spots also have alarms that flash lights.

What Hearing Aid Essentials to Bring

You might not be certain what to take with you if this is your first time traveling with your hearing aids. Some essentials to pack include:

• A cleaning kit
• Additional accessories
• Extra batteries or a second charger

As you pass security wear your hearing aids. You do not need to remove them. Also, during a flight, you can leave them in.

Lastly, if you don’t already have hearing aids, maybe it’s time. There are features in quality hearing aids that will amplify sound while enhancing conversations and getting rid of background noise. The holidays only come once a year. There is no reason the holidays can’t be everything you remember whether you’ve had hearing loss your whole life or if you are new to it. To help you understand what your hearing options are, schedule an appointment with a hearing care professional.

With tinnitus, it’s normal to have good and bad days but why? Over 45 million Americans endure ringing in their ears due to a condition called tinnitus, according to the American Tinnitus Association, and comes along with hearing loss by around 90 percent of them.

But that doesn’t explain why the ringing is invasive some days and nearly non-existent on others. Some normal triggers may explain it but it’s still unclear as to why this happens.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus describes a condition where the patient hears phantom noises such as:

• Clicking
• Hissing
• Buzzing
• Roaring
• Ringing

You hear it, the guy sitting next to you doesn’t, which is part of what makes tinnitus so disturbing. The noise can vary in pitch and volume, too. One day it might be a roar and the next day be gone completely.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Changes in a person’s hearing are the most prevalent cause. These changes could be due to:

• Ear bone changes
• Aging
• Noise trauma
• Earwax build up

A few other potential causes include:

• Head trauma
• An issue with the carotid artery or jugular vein
• TMJ issues
• High blood pressure
• Acoustic neuroma
• Atherosclerosis
• Tumor in the head or neck
• Meniere’s disease

For a small percentage of people, there isn’t any obvious reason for them to have tinnitus.

If your tinnitus has just started, see your doctor and find out what is going on with your ears. The problem could be a symptom of a life threatening condition like heart disease or it might be something treatable. A side effect of a new medication might also be the cause.

For some reason the ringing gets worse on some days.

The reason why tinnitus gets worse on some days is a bit of a medical mystery. And there might be many reasons depending on the person. However, there may be some common triggers.

Loud Events

Your tinnitus can be aggravated by loud events like concerts, club music, and fireworks. If you expect to be exposed to loud noise, your best option is to use hearing protection. You can enjoy the music at a concert, for instance, without harming your ears by using earplugs.

Another thing you can do is to put some distance between you and the source of the loud sound. For example, don’t stand right beside the speakers when attending a concert or up front at a fireworks show. Combined with hearing protection, this will reduce the effect.

Loud Noises at Home

Loud noises in your house can also be a problem. For instance, mowing the lawn is enough to induce tinnitus. Here are some other sounds from around the house that can cause injury:

• Woodworking – The tools you use are enough to cause a problem
• Laundry – For instance, if you fold clothes while the washer is running.
• Wearing headphones – It could be time to lose the earbuds or headphones. Their job is to increase the volume, and that could be aggravating your ears.

If there are things you can’t or aren’t willing to avoid such as woodworking, wear hearing protection.

Workplace Noise

Loud noises at work have the same effect as a concert or the lawnmower. It’s especially crucial to use ear protection if you work in construction or are around machinery. Your employer will most likely provide ear protection if you make them aware of your concerns. Let your ears rest during your off time.

Changes in Air Pressure

Most people have experienced ear popping when they take a plane. The change in air pressure plus the noise from the plane engines can cause an increase in tinnitus. If you are traveling, take some gum with you to help neutralize the air pressure and consider hearing protection.

Changes in air pressure occur everywhere not just on a plane. If you have sinus issues, for example, think about taking medication to help relieve them.

Medication

Speaking of medication, that may also be the issue. Certain drugs impact the ears and are known as ototoxic. Some prevalent medications on the list include:

• Antibiotics
• Diuretics
• Over-the-counter pain relievers

If you’re experiencing an intensifying of your tinnitus after you begin taking a new medication, seek advice from your doctor. Changing to something else could be feasible.

Tinnitus is an irritation for some people, but for others, it can be disabling. The first step is to figure out what’s causing it and then consider ways to keep it under control from day to day.

Studies indicate that you are twice as likely to struggle with hearing loss if you have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. That might surprise those of you who immediately associate hearing loss with growing old or noise damage. In 2010, 1.9 million people were diagnosed with diabetes and almost 500,000 of them were below the age of 44. Some form of hearing loss most likely impacts at least 250,000 of the younger people with this disease.

The point is that diabetes is just one of several ailments that can cost a person their hearing. Getting old is a considerable aspect both in sickness and hearing loss but what is the link between these disorders and ear health? Give some thought to some diseases that can lead to hearing loss.

Diabetes

It is unclear why people with diabetes have a higher chance of hearing loss or even if diabetes is connected to hearing loss, but the clinical research does point in that direction. A condition that suggests a person could develop type 2 diabetes, called prediabetes, causes people to lose their hearing 30 percent faster than people who don’t have it.

While there are some theories, researchers still don’t know why this happens. It is feasible that high glucose levels could cause damage to the blood vessels that feed the inner ear. Diabetes is known to impact circulation, so that is a reasonable assumption.

Meningitis

This infectious disease causes loss of hearing. Meningitis by definition is inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain, normally due to infection. Studies show that 30 percent of people who have this condition will also lose their hearing, either in part or in full. This infection is the second most common cause of hearing loss among American young people.

The fragile nerves that send signals to the inner ear are potentially injured by meningitis. Without these signals, the brain has no method of interpreting sound.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella name that covers conditions that involve the heart or blood vessels. Some typical diseases in this category include:

• Peripheral artery disease
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Atherosclerosis

Age related hearing loss is generally associated with cardiovascular diseases. The inner ear is subject to harm. Injury to the inner ear leads to hearing loss when there is a change in blood flow and it doesn’t receive the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to thrive.

Chronic Kidney Disease

A 2012 study published in The Laryngoscope found that people have an increased risk of losing their hearing if they have this condition. A separate study found that chance to be as high as 43 percent. However, this connection might be a coincidence. There are many of the same risk factors with kidney disease and other conditions associated with high blood pressure.

Toxins that build up in the blood as a result of kidney failure might also be the culprit, theoretically. The connection that the nerves have with the brain may be closed off due to damage to the ear by these toxins.

Dementia

The link between loss of hearing and dementia goes both ways. A person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease seems to be increased by cognitive impairment. Dementia occurs due to brain atrophy and shrinkage. Difficulty hearing can hasten that process.

The other side of the coin is true, as well. Somebody who develops dementia even though there is normal hearing will show a decline in their hearing as damage to the brain increases.

Mumps

Early in life the viral infection mumps can cause children to lose their hearing. The reduction in hearing could be only in one ear or it may impact both ears. The reason why this happens is the virus damages the cochlea in the inner ear. It’s the component of the ear that sends messages to the brain. The good news is mumps is pretty rare these days due to vaccinations. Not everyone who gets the mumps will experience hearing loss.

Chronic Ear Infections

For most individuals, the random ear infection is not much of a risk because treatment gets rid of it. However, the tiny bones of the inner ear or the eardrum can take serious damage from constantly recurring ear infections. When sound cannot reach the inner ear with enough energy to send messages to the brain it’s called conductive hearing loss. Infections can also lead to a sensorineural hearing loss, which means nerve damage.

Many of the illnesses that can lead to hearing loss can be avoided by prevention. A healthy diet, plenty of exercise and regular sleep habits will go a long way to protecting your ear health throughout your life. You should also get regular hearing exams to make sure your ears stay healthy.

What is the best thing you can do when you recognize that a loved one is suffering from hearing loss? It’s not an easy thing to bring up because often those who are gradually losing their hearing don’t recognize it. It’s a frustrating issue for the whole family and ignoring it isn’t the answer. Your family member’s life will be bettered by the things you do now so don’t wait to find a way to discuss it. To help get you there, consider these guidelines.

Learn More so You Can Discuss it Better

First of all, you should comprehend what is going on yourself so you are able to explain it. The chances of hearing loss become greater as people grow older. About one person out of every three have some level of hearing reduction by the time they reach the age of 74 and more than half have it after they reach the age of 75.

Presbycusis is the technical term for this type of ear damage. It typically occurs in both ears equally, and the effect is gradual. Years before anyone detected it, it’s probable that this person started losing their hearing.

There are many reasons why presbycusis happens. The simplest explanation for age-related hearing loss is that decades of sound takes its toll on the delicate mechanisms of the ear, specifically the tiny hair cells. Electrical messages are created that go to the brain. What you know as sound is actually a message that is received and then translated by the brain. Without those hair cells, hearing is impossible.

Chronic sicknesses can play a role, as well, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes

Hearing is reduced and the ear can be injured by all of these.

Make a Date

What you say to your loved one is important however it’s also important where you have the conversation. Setting something up so you can have a talk is your best bet. You don’t want to be interrupted so choose a quiet spot. If you have any written material on the subject matter, you should also bring that. For instance, the doctor might have a brochure that describes presbycusis.

Talk About the Whys

The response you can expect right away is for the person to be defensive. Because it is associated with aging, hearing loss can be a delicate subject. It’s hard to accept that you are getting older. Poor hearing may challenge the elderly’s belief that they are in control of their daily lives.

Be ready to offer particulars as to how you know they have some hearing problems.

Discuss that you need to keep repeating yourself during conversations, too. Don’t make it seem like you’re complaining, keep it casual. As you comprehend and put everything into perspective, be patient.

Be Prepared to Listen

Be ready to sit back and listen once you have said what needs to be said. Your family member might have noticed some changes and may have other concern but doesn’t know what they should do. Ask questions that will motivate this person to keep talking about their experience to help make it real to them.

Talk About the Support System

Getting past the fear that comes with hearing loss is going to be the toughest obstacle. Many people feel alone with their problem and don’t understand they have family and friends on the other side. Talk about others in the family who have had similar experiences and how they found ways to live with hearing loss.

Come Armed With Solutions

The most important part of this discussion is going to be what to do next. Let your loved one know that hearing loss isn’t the end of the world. There are plenty of tools available to help, such as hearing aids. Much more sleek and modern hearing aids are now available. They come with features that improve the quality of life and come in many shapes and sizes. Show them some literature on a computer or brochure detailing the different devices that are available.

Finally, suggest that the first place to begin is at the doctor’s office. Some hearing loss is temporary. Have an ear exam to rule out things like ear wax build up and medication that might be causing the issue. A hearing exam can then be set up and you will know for sure.

When you begin to use a new medication, it’s natural to look at the possible side effects. Can you expect to feel Nauseous or to have a dry mouth? What may not occur to you is that certain medications have a more extreme side effect – they can potentially cause hearing loss. Medical experts call this complication ototoxicity. Ear poisoning is what ototoxicity breaks down to.

It’s still not known how many drugs cause this problem, but there are at least 130 that are on record as being ototoxic. Which ones should you watch out for and why?

Some Facts About Ototoxicity

How does a pill go from your stomach to reap havoc in your ears? There are three places certain drugs can damage your hearing:

• The stria vascularis – Located in the cochlea, the stria vascularis makes endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a considerable impact on both hearing and balance.
• The cochlea – That’s the seashell-shaped component of the inner ear that takes sound and converts it into an electrical message the brain can comprehend. Damage to the cochlea affects the range of sound you can hear, usually beginning with high frequencies then expanding to include lower ones.
• The vestibule of the ear – This is the part of the ear that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that comprises the cochlea. It helps control balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications can make you dizzy or feel like the room is spinning.

Tinnitus is caused by some drugs while others cause hearing loss. Tinnitus is a phantom noise people hear that usually presents as:

• A windy sound
• Thumping
• Ringing
• Popping

In general, the tinnitus ends when you quit taking the medication. Unfortunately, some of these drugs can cause permanent hearing loss.

What is The Risk Level For Each Drug?

You may be shocked by the list of drugs which can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. You probably take some of these drugs when you are in pain and you might have some of them in your medicine cabinet right now.

At the top of the list for ototoxic drugs are over-the-counter pain relievers such as:

• Naproxen
• Ibuprofen

You can add to this list salicylates that you might better recognize as aspirin. The hearing problems caused by these drugs are normally reversible when you quit taking them.

Coming in a close second for well known ototoxic medications are antibiotics. Some antibiotics are ototoxic but many aren’t. You might have heard of some of these that aren’t:

• Vancomycin
• Erythromycin
• Gentamycin

The problem goes away once you quit using the antibiotics just like with painkillers. Other drugs on the common list include:

• Chloroquine
• Quinidine
• Quinine

Substances That Cause Tinnitus

Diamox, Bumex, Lasix and Edecrin are diuretics that cause tinnitus but there are greater offenders in this category:

• Nicotine
• Marijuana
• Tonic water
• Caffeine

You are exposing yourself to something that might cause tinnitus every time you have your morning coffee. After the drug is out of your system it will pass and that’s the good news. Some drugs, ironically, that doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are actually on the list of culprits.

• Prednisone
• Lidocaine
• Amitriptyline

The doctor will prescribe a lot less than the amount that will trigger tinnitus.

Ototoxicity Has Specific Symptoms

They vary depending on the medication and your ear health. Normally, you can expect anything from moderately annoying to totally incapacitating.

Be on guard for:

• Tinnitus
• Blurring vision
• Difficulty walking
• Poor balance
• Hearing loss on one or both sides
• Vomiting

Get in touch with your doctor if you observe any of these symptoms after taking medication even over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements.

If you have ototoxicity does that mean you should avoid taking your medication? You should always take what your doctor tells you to. Remember that these symptoms are not permanent. You should feel secure asking your doctor if a prescription is ototoxic though, and always talk about the potential side effects of any drug you take, so you stay aware. Also, schedule a hearing test with a hearing care expert.

Is your loss of hearing causing you to talk less frequently on the phone? Over time, you may feel isolated due to your hearing loss. You don’t need to stop using your phone. It is possible to remain in touch with friends and family.

It’s All About Communication

They say communication is the essential thing in any relationship, and that is definitely true with your phone. The question is what can you do to make things better.

• You can consider accessories such as Bluetooth or headphones if the volume is already cranked up. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to improve the sound quality on the phone, and that may be all you need.
• Are the voices too quiet? It’s possible the volume needs to be turned up.
• Have you had an ear exam? Not all loss of hearing is permanent, so get a correct diagnosis. It might be something as straightforward as earwax buildup or an ear infection.

If you look at the most obvious problems and have ruled them out, it will be time to consider more in depth solutions.

There’s an App For That

There are really several potential apps. There are many apps you can download that work to get you, and your phone back on the same page, some of them are pretty cool.

Some apps turn what the other person says to text you can read. These apps are far from perfect, but you should be able to work with them. Brands to look up include:

• Live Caption
• Note, Listen for Deaf
• Hamilton Mobile Cap Tel

You can’t get all voice to text apps for free but the majority won’t cost very much.

There is a Phone For That

If you are looking for a landline solution, you can find phones for your home that do the same thing as an app. They can amplify the sound on the other end, making it less difficult to hear. High pitched sounds on the other end become clearer because they can equalize the sound.

A captioning phone is another solution. The captioning service requires a unique phone which has an LCD screen. Captioning works with a third party operator that either repeats the spoken words so speech recognition software can translate them into text or types them right into the system. From there the words are displayed on the screen of the phone. You will require the internet to use a captioning service.

An old school phone system that is still around which works in a similar way to a captioning service is Text-to-Voice Teletype (TTY). A separate device to show the text is required, however.

The Best Alternative Are Hearing Aids

Newer hearing aids don’t feedback every time they get close to a phone like the old ones did. The newer technology can work with a hearing aid compatible phone to enhance the sound and remove interference like background noise. What’s more, they are wireless and work even when you’re not on the phone.

Compatibility with both landlines and smart-phones is possible with modern, high quality hearing aids. The technology functions by holding the hearing device up to the phone and streaming the sound from the one to the other.

Most digital hearing aids are also Bluetooth compatible. Pairing your hearing aid up with your smart-phone is done exactly the same way as pairing your phone with any other Bluetooth device. The sound goes right to your hearing aids when it rings.

Don’t allow hearing loss to wreck your friendships and other relationships. Do what you must to get back on your phone, and start talking again. It’s time to schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist to check out the newest hearing aid technology.

You’ve waited far too long but you finally bought a pair of hearing aids. Good job taking the first step to better your life. There are things you should learn to do and not to do with newer technology like modern hearing aids. It’s not a long list when it comes to hearing aids, but it is a significant one.

Taking care of your hearing is not the only consideration. The things you fail to do can make the hearing aid less useful or slow your adjustment time. Others in your shoes have made mistakes that you can learn from. These four things that you shouldn’t do should be taken into consideration.

1. Straight Out of the Box Into Your Ear

Without spending some time to understand the basics of how your hearing aids work and checking out the features that come with the brand you bought you might be ignoring powerful features. If you just turn on your hearing aids and start wearing them, more than likely they won’t work efficiently. Bluetooth and noise filters are some of the best features that you may also lose out on.

On the other hand, if you slow it down a bit and read the included documentation, you can determine how to attain the cleanest sound quality and practice various adjustments that maximize the hearing aid’s function.

You will already have a basic understanding of what your hearing aids can do by the time you purchase them. Now you need to figure out how to use and that which takes a little patients.

2. Disregard the Adjustment Factor

Your eyes need to adjust to the shape of the frame and the difference in lenses when you get a new pair of glasses. The same goes for hearing aids. High quality sound in a new hearing aid does not happen by magic. It doesn’t work that way.

If you haven’t ever worn hearing aids, it’s a big change and your ears will require some time to adjust. Quick adaptation is all about consistent use.

Leave them in your ear once you’ve put them in. Often, new users have an urge to keep removing them. That urge needs to be resisted. Think about why you might be uncomfortable.

• Does the background noise seem overwhelming? Spend a few minutes in a quiet place each day when you first put them in. Sit down with a friend and talk. Ask them if you are talking too loud. In this way, you can balance the sound out by making adjustments.
• Take out the hearing aid when it gets uncomfortable for short periods. Go back to the seller and have your hearing aids inspected if they don’t seem to fit properly..
• Is the noise too loud? Maybe you need to turn down the volume.

Giving up is the worst mistake you can make. If you forget about your hearing aids, shoving them in a drawer somewhere, they will do you no good.

3. Have the Hearing Aid Fitted When You First Buy it

There is a lot involved in finding the correct hearing aids, and it begins before you even start looking. If you are not telling the truth about what you can and can’t hear during the hearing test at the audiologist, that’s an issue. You could end up with hearing aids that aren’t the correct ones for your level or type of hearing loss. Some hearing aids pick up a high-frequency sound by design for example. If your hearing loss impedes your ability to hear mid-range or low sounds, the hearing aids won’t work right for you.

Your lifestyle, in many cases may not seem well suited to hearing aids. Bluetooth technology is a feature that you will need if you use a phone allot.

Make a note of when you wish your hearing aid did something different or when they aren’t working correctly while you are still in the trial period. You can go back to the hearing care technician and talk about those issues. It might just take an adjustment, or perhaps you require a different type of device.

When you buy your hearing aids be sure to go to a seller that does free fittings. If they are too big for your ears they won’t work properly.

4. Neglected Maintenance

Understanding when and how to maintain your hearing aids are the keys to success. Take the time to learn how to care for your new device even if you’ve used hearing aids before.

After you get your hearing aids, look closely at the warning signs listed in the user manual like using hair products with your hearing aids in or failing to turn them off when you take it out.

Additionally, study the troubleshooting instructions and the maintenance guide.

Understand exactly how to clean your hearing aids since that’s an important part of effective maintenance. Don’t stop at just cleaning the device, either. Find out what the maker recommends for cleaning your ears, too.

You have to take the initiative if you want to get the most from your hearing aids. It’s an ongoing process from shopping to use. Make an appointment with a hearing care professional to find out what type of hearing aid will work best for you.

A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. The implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin. An implant has the following parts:

• A microphone, which picks up sound from the environment
• A speech processor, which selects and arranges sounds picked up by the microphone
• A transmitter and receiver/stimulator, which receive signals from the speech processor and convert them into electric impulses
• An electrode array, which is a group of electrodes that collects the impulses from the stimulator and sends them to different regions of the auditory nerve

We hope the following FAQ gives you a better understanding of this powerful little device.

How does a cochlear implant work?

A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound. Hearing through a cochlear implant is different from normal hearing and takes time to learn or relearn. However, it can aid in the recognition of warning signals and other sounds in the environment. Phone conversation is also enhanced.

Who gets cochlear implants?

Children and adults who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing can be fitted for cochlear implants. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), at the end of 2006, more than 112,000 people worldwide had received implants. In the United States, roughly 23,000 adults and 15,500 children have received them.

Adults who have lost all or most of their hearing later in life often can benefit from cochlear implants by learning to associate the signal provided by an implant with sounds they remember. This often provides recipients with the ability to understand speech solely by listening through the implant, without requiring any visual cues such as those provided by lip-reading or sign language.

Cochlear implants, coupled with intensive post implantation therapy, can help young children to acquire speech, language, and social skills. Most children who receive implants are between two and six years old. Early implantation provides exposure to sounds that can be helpful during the critical period when children learn speech and language skills. In 2000, the FDA lowered the age of eligibility to 12 months for one type of cochlear implant.

How does someone receive a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant requires both a surgical procedure and significant therapy to learn or relearn the sense of hearing. As with all surgeries, risks should be weighed and costs considered. Not all health insurance covers the expense of a cochlear implant.

The results of a cochlear implant vary. Not everyone performs at the same level with this device and speech-language pathologists and Audiologists are frequently involved in this learning process. Prior to implantation, all of these factors need to be considered.

What does the future hold for cochlear implants?

With advancements in technology and continued follow-up studies with people who already have received implants, researchers are evaluating how cochlear implants might be used for other types of hearing loss.

NIDCD is supporting research to improve upon the benefits provided by cochlear implants. It may be possible to use a shortened electrode array, inserted into a portion of the cochlea, for individuals whose hearing loss is limited to the higher frequencies. Other studies are exploring ways to make a cochlear implant convey the sounds of speech more clearly. Researchers also are looking at the potential benefits of pairing a cochlear implant in one ear with either another cochlear implant or a hearing aid in the other ear.

If you are a candidate for a cochlear implant, it is important to remember that the device does not restore normal hearing. It can, however, provide a useful representation of sounds to aid you in understanding speech.

Severe hearing loss doesn’t have to leave you suffering in silence.

Hearing vs. Listening

Did you know that we don’t really hear with our ears? Ears do the listening, but we hear with our brain. Hearing instruments can help a person detect softer sounds, but they don’t necessarily provide good listening skills.

Even people with normal hearing can be poor listeners. Good listening skills are one of the essential components in effective communication. These abilities can be damaged both by hearing loss and by the natural aging process. LACE is designed to enhance the ability to communicate by training the brain to best utilize these skills.

Muscle Memory Training for Your Hearing

LACE is an acronym for Listening and Communication Enhancement. Conceived by leading audiologists at the University of California at San Francisco, LACE is an interactive computerized training program that helps improve your ear-to-brain muscle memory.

LACE focuses on the five challenges of listening:

• Speech in background noise (like restaurants or parties)
• Rapid speech (when people are speaking quickly)
• Competing speaker (two people are speaking and the “noise” is other people near them speaking)
• Missing word (If you miss a word in a conversation, can you still understand the message?)
• Auditory working memory (If you miss a piece of the conversation, how long does it take you to accurately understand what was said?)

LACE has already helped thousands of people who live with some degree of hearing loss increase their listening skills by up to 45%. Just as physical therapy can help rebuild physical strength and compensate for weakness, LACE can assist in developing listening, communication, and interaction skills.

Ask our staff about purchasing this program to improve your listening skills today!

We want to help you improve your listening skills and be part of the conversation again.