Our senses help us to better understand and interact with the world around us, and hearing plays a crucial role in gaining that information. Interaction with others, perceiving the noises in your environment, and the very basics of communication all require functioning ears to hear and understand sounds at all times.
When hearing becomes a struggle, hearing aids can be critical to preserving this sense and preventing hearing loss from leading to feelings of isolation and a range of other problems over time. When you reach the point that hearing aids are necessary, getting them properly fitted will be essential, so let’s learn more about how that process works.
Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida residents struggling with hearing problems can get help from Dr. Elvira Livigni De Armas and the dedicated Audiology Department at Florida Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center.
The hearing loss that leads to using these devices can stem from multiple sources:
The chances of dealing with hearing loss increase when you’re exposed to loud noises without ear protection, smoking, prolonged exposure to loud noises, and chronic conditions, like hypertension and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
A typical hearing aid works using a microphone to pick up sound, an amplifier to make it easier to hear, and a receiver to transmit the sound to your ear. This type helps people with either inner ear damage or issues with the nerve that connects the ear to the brain (the auditory nerve). Around one in five people with hearing loss can benefit from the device.
A cochlear device works directly with your auditory nerve and has part of the device implanted under your skin and another part placed behind your ear. It also helps amplify sounds, making them easier to hear.
A proper fitting for a hearing aid starts with an understanding of how much hearing loss you’ve experienced. Tests like an otoscopy, a diagnostic evaluation, and a medical history can all inform us about the extent of the hearing damage and help determine what to do next.
Other methods for determining the right device fit for your needs include speech-in-noise testing, tympanometry to assess inner ear function, and tools such as QuickSIN, BKB-SIN, or WIN to estimate signal-to-noise ratio loss.
Once we have that information, the fitting process will consist of some essential measures for best fit and effectiveness:
Follow-up sessions may be necessary to make sure everything is working properly and to make any necessary changes to improve function and comfort.
Hearing loss happens to millions of people, and to help you improve how well your ears work, hearing aids can be critical. Make an appointment with Dr. Livigni De Armas and the Audiology Department of Florida Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center today to find out how we can improve your hearing.
