The number of people with some degree of permanent auditory impairment has never been higher. Once seen mainly among older people, servicemen returning from battle following repeated exposure to gunfire, and workers in noisy environments, today, it is commonly encountered in young adults and even teens. Noise is again the culprit, but the noise from guns and machines has been superseded by more seductive sources such as portable music players, nightclubs, and live rock concerts. Together, these account for the greatly increased incidence among young people.
Fortunately, advances in technology have made the exceptionally wide range of hearing aids now offered for sale today possible.
In addition to the extent of one’s deafness, the differing needs arising from individual lifestyles and personal tastes will also play a defining role in determining how best to manage impaired audition. This, in turn, will determine the particular type of assisted hearing device that best meets these individual criteria. For some subjects, it may simply be important that the chosen device will enable them to enjoy a conversation with family or friends without the constant need to ask them to speak louder or to repeat themselves. To others, who may be embarrassed by the need to wear such a device, a more discreet unit might be highest among their priorities. A popular choice among the hearing aids currently for sale in South Africa today are the tiny models designed to be inserted deep inside the ear canal to ensure that they remain virtually invisible to everyone else.
As mentioned, noise-induced hearing loss has become more prevalent among children – adding to those born with difficulties or who have developed problems following an infection. Once again, there may be different criteria to be considered when selecting the most appropriate device for a child. For boys, especially, something a bit more robust might be advisable, given their preference for more physical activities. One of the BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aids for sale generally available from most audiologists would be the most practical option. Adults for whom the units worn in the ear or in the ear canal itself may be unsuitable, either because they are not sufficiently powerful to provide the level of amplification required or for anatomical reasons, may be limited to choosing a BTE model. As it happens, these are generally available in a variety of colours designed to match the wearer’s skin tone or hair colour to make them less noticeable. For those who may be a little more extroverted, however, there may also be some fun colours among the range of BTE hearing aids for sale from selected manufacturers such as Phonak, for example.
As a general rule, the smaller the assisted hearing device and the deeper within the ear it is worn, the less amplification it will be able to provide. Consequently, these models are best suited to those who have only a mild to moderate degree of auditory loss. Amplification aside, there are a number of other important criteria that you may need to consider when making your selection. For example, if your work frequently requires you to attend group meetings and to converse with other attendees, you would be well advised to choose from those hearing aids that are compatible with one of the wireless microphones for sale as an accessory.
Alternatively, your most important need might be to interact with other digital products, whether for work purposes, for pleasure, or for both. In meeting these needs, the assisted hearing gurus have been hard at work in their efforts to enrich the user experience. To this end, many of the newer models are now compatible with accessory devices designed to enable a wireless connection between them and various other digital devices. These include smartphones, laptops, tablets, iPods, digital TVs, and radios. Some of the hearing aids for sale can even be used with remote controls with which to switch between connected devices at the touch of a button
Whatever your hearing needs may be, nobody is better qualified to identify them and to manage them than an experienced audiologist.
Following a physical examination of the ear, a bi-lateral audiogram are created by plotting the thresholds at which a patient can hear various frequencies to determine their degree of impairment. The combined findings enable the audiologist to prescribe the most effective management option. Ear Institute clinics will recommend one of the advanced Phonak hearing aids available.
Contact your nearest Ear Institute for an appointment.
Author: Mel Dunkin – February 2019