A
hearing aid is an electronic, battery-operated device
that amplifies and changes sounds to allow for improved
communication. Hearing aids receive sound through a small
microphone, which then converts the sound waves to
electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of
the signals and then sends the sound to the ear through a
speaker.
Approximately 28 million Americans have a hearing impairment
of some degree, making hearing loss the most prevalent
chronic health condition in the United States. Hearing loss
affects people of all ages, in all segments of the
population, and across all socioeconomic levels. Hearing
loss can be hereditary, or it can be the result of disease,
trauma, medications, or long-term exposure to damaging
noise.
Hearing health professionals, known as audiologists, can
identify and measure hearing loss and determine whether or
not hearing aids will help in each individual situation.
Hearing aids are particularly useful in improving the
hearing and speech comprehension of people who suffer from
nerve hearing loss. Nerve hearing loss develops when the
auditory nerve or hair cells in the inner ear are damaged by
aging, noise, illness, injury, infection, head trauma, toxic
medications, or part of an inherited condition.
There are several types of hearing aids and as with every
other medical condition, there is no "one-size fits all"
solution when choosing a hearing aid. Each type offers
different advantages, depending on its design, levels of
amplification, and size.
To learn more about hearing loss and hearing aids, browse
this website. Available are hundreds of resources and
helpful, informative articles dealing with all aspects of
hearing aids. Learn about the four main types of
hearing aids, discover the most reliable providers, find
the best prices and locate the research that is currently
being done on hearing aids. For all that and much more,
simply browse this site. |