subject: Improvements In Hearing Aid Technology [print this page] Uncle Ned can always be counted on to contribute something totally unrelated to the conversation, and most attribute it to senility. Nodding and smiling are his other contributions. In one ear and out the other best describes Grandma. In Aunt Clara's case, she goes on and on, not stopping to let anyone else have their say. These elderly stories are common. There are other causes besides senility for these frustrating situations. For audiologists, Uncle Ned, Grandma, and Aunt Clara are showing signs of hearing loss. Audiologists, people trained to evaluate hearing defects and counsel clients with hearing loss, work with many elderly clients.
People with good hearing take for granted being able to sieve through such sounds as presented by crowds, background noises, and poor acoustics. Their dilemmas are multiplied when they are sick, tired, or cannot see the speaker. They lose the ability to hear certain sounds but may be able to hear soft conversation. Sound may be perceived but not understood.
After determining the benefit of a hearing aid to a client, the audiologist advises a hearing aid evaluation. The process consists of the client trying on different brands and models. Doctors used to tell patients nothing could be done for a loss that involved nerve damage, the most common problem among the elderly. Almost any case can be solved with the development of new technology.
In spite of all these developments and known cases of improvement, there are many seniors who don't believe hearing aids will work for them. Though they know that hearing aids can really help, many seniors prioritize avoiding feeling ashamed of wearing the device.
The cost is another obstacle for some. Customers can look to neither Medicare nor health insurance to pay for a device that costs at least $300. Help is available, however, through a private, national lease plan, in which clients pay $15 monthly towards full purchase while using the device. Readjusting to a world filled with sound may not be so easy for some clients, and audiologists are available for counseling.
They caution that hearing with an aid will not be the same as hearing without one. The services of the Center for Audiology include both counseling for clients and educational sessions for families.
The advice below eases communication for clients and their families. When speaking to someone with a hearing aid, try not to shout. The hearing aid amplifies the volume of a shout even further, making it painful for the wearer. The stigma of hearing aids should be eliminated. It's better to have people see that you have a hearing problem than to miss out on so much of life.
