What Happens if You Find Out You Have Hearing Loss

If you suspect you have hearing loss, you should seek the attention of a versed audiologist. Although hearing loss is usually irreversible, there are resources and treatments available to help. During your appointment, an audiologist will examine your ears and provide a hearing test to determine whether or not you have a hearing loss and, if you do, what degree of hearing loss you have. This will have an impact on the treatment you receive, as well as the types of technology you will benefit most from.

Hearing Exams and Treatments are Available

Whether or not you have hearing loss can be determined by taking a hearing test. An examination of your ears may potentially discover the source of your hearing loss.

A hearing test may reveal that you have a hearing loss that has to be addressed; in this case, the most usual course of action is to wear hearing aids. These come in an array of different styles and can be equipped with varying features to address your specific needs.

Choosing a Hearing Aid Can be Exciting

You can choose from a number of different styles of hearing aids, each with its own set of pros and disadvantages that vary depending on your hearing needs, lifestyle, and general preferences. Your audiologist will be able to go over each one with you and assist you in selecting the one that is most suited to your needs, but let us take a quick look at some of the most common varieties that you may encounter in your search.

Hearing aids that are worn behind the ear (BTE): When you think about hearing aids, they are most likely the ones that come to mind. These devices are worn behind or on top of the outer ear and employ tubing to direct sound down into the ear canal through an earmold or dome style that does not completely block the entrance of the outer canal. BTE aids are available in a variety of styles and sizes. BTE styles are available in a number of colors to complement your hair or skin tone, as well as snazzier designs for a more custom appearance.

In-the-ear (ITE) devices: The ITE hearing aid is one of the most common types of hearing aid. It is custom-made and worn in the ear canal, and it is based on an impression taken by your hearing care specialist during your hearing aid consultation. Most of these types are available in a number of skin tones to complement the outer ear. There are certain ITE hearing aids that are meant to fit deep within the ear canal, while others that are designed to fit nearer to the outer ear are available.

How Hearing Aids Help

Hearing aids can be quite beneficial, but they are not always able to suit the very specific demands of each individual who wears them. It is possible to bridge communication barriers in these scenarios using a variety of accessories and assistive listening devices. ALDs (assistive listening devices) can improve your overall experience while watching television, listening to music, or conversing on the phone, among other things. Hearing aid telecoils that are connected to captioned and amplified phones are examples of this. FM systems, TV hearing devices, smartphone apps and hearing loops that connect to hearing aids are more examples.

Beltone Hearing Care Centre is happy to help walk you through anything related to potential treatments for hearing loss, hearing aids, and hearing protection products. Please call one of our offices below:

• Campbell River, BC: (778) 560-3112
• Comox, BC: (778) 560-3103
• Coquitlam, BC: (604) 283-4430
• Duncan, BC: (778) 410-2166
• Nanaimo, BC: (778) 410-2529
• Powell River, BC: (778) 410-2167
• Sidney, BC: (778) 410-2536
• Victoria, BC: (778) 557-1704