You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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3Your |
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5Quiz |
6Your Summary |
Hearing aids makes sounds louder. There are many different styles of hearing aids. And you can add special features to your hearing aids. But almost all hearing aids have these parts:
You can wear hearing aids behind your ear, in your outer ear, in your ear canal, or completely implanted in the ear. The kind of hearing aid you choose depends on many things, including your degree of hearing loss, your doctor or audiologist's advice, and what kind of hearing aid you want.
Most hearing aids use digital technology. They are programmed for your needs using a computer. Very few hearing aids use analog technology.
Also, external hearing aids come in different styles. Some are very small. The smallest ones can fit completely in your ear canal or be hidden in a small case behind your ear with a thin, see-through tube running into your ear canal. Larger styles fit in the outer ear. Each style of hearing aid has pros and cons. Work with your hearing aid provider to find the best kind of hearing aid for your needs.
If your doctor or audiologist suspects or diagnoses hearing loss, he or she may have you see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist or otologist). The specialist can check for other problems and find out the cause of your hearing loss. The doctor can also recommend possible treatments.
If the specialist finds that hearing aids will help, the audiologist can help you choose the type of hearing aid that will work best for you. He or she can help you learn how to get the most benefit from your hearing aids.
If you think your hearing loss is mild to moderate, over the counter hearing aids, which may be called personal sound amplification products, or PSAPs, may be an option. Read reviews of these devices on the Internet and choose one with good ratings. Be careful of low-priced OTC hearing aids.
Permanent hearing loss can make you feel lonely or depressed or like you have lost your independence. Hearing aids can often help with these issues.
Hearing aids can help you hear better and feel connected to family, friends, and others. They can also make you safer when you drive or when you work around your home. Hearing aids may help with your job, hobbies, and daily activities such as talking on the phone. Hearing aids often can be programmed to mask tinnitus (a ringing in the ear).
Wearing hearing aids also shows courtesy to others, because you don't have to keep asking them to repeat what they just said. You can again enjoy talking with your family without extra effort.
It may take from several weeks to months for you to get used to your hearing aids. You may find that:
Here are some general tips to help you adjust to your new hearing aids.
Your doctor or audiologist may suggest hearing aids if:
If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, over-the-counter hearing aids, available without a hearing test, might be an option.
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
For some time I could not hear my family and friends talking to me as clearly as I used to. Sometimes I gave them an answer to their questions that left puzzled looks on their faces, as if I had said the wrong thing. My wife complained about how loud I kept the volume on the TV. So I decided I needed to get my hearing checked. The doctor said my hearing problem could be helped with hearing aids, so I decided to get them.
Sanjay, age 51
I talk on the phone a lot for my job. One day I realized I had been having trouble for some time hearing what people said. I kept asking clients to repeat what they just told me on the phone. My doctor said I had some hearing loss in my left ear, the one I use for the phone. He said hearing aids would help. But I decided not to get them for now. I don't like the way hearing aids look, and I can get a volume control for the phone or use my other ear.
Andria, age 59
My wife kept kidding me that I needed hearing aids because I would ask her what the characters on my favorite TV show just said. I began to think that I did need them, so I checked with my doctor. But after she cleaned the earwax out of my ears, I found I could hear much better and didn't need hearing aids after all.
Colin, age 45
I don't like change and didn't think I could learn to use hearing aids. I live alone, and I'm pretty set in my ways. But I realized I was missing out on what my grandchildren were telling me. My friends encouraged me to give hearing aids a try, and my doctor said it could help. It took some time for me to get used to wearing hearing aids, but I'm glad I made the effort.
Ruth, age 69
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to get hearing aids
Reasons not to get hearing aids
I need to hear better to do my job and other daily activities.
I hear well enough to get through my day.
Paying attention to people's gestures and facial expressions isn't enough to help me understand what they're saying.
I can live with hearing loss by paying attention to people's gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice.
My hearing problem is affecting relationships with my family, friends, and others.
I don't feel that my hearing problem affects my relationships with others.
I am willing to take the time to adjust to using hearing aids.
I think it would be too hard to adjust to hearing aids and get them to work the way I want them to.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Getting hearing aids
NOT getting hearing aids
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
| Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Charles M. Myer III MD - Otolaryngology |
Hearing aids makes sounds louder. There are many different styles of hearing aids. And you can add special features to your hearing aids. But almost all hearing aids have these parts:
You can wear hearing aids behind your ear, in your outer ear, in your ear canal, or completely implanted in the ear. The kind of hearing aid you choose depends on many things, including your degree of hearing loss, your doctor or audiologist's advice, and what kind of hearing aid you want.
Most hearing aids use digital technology. They are programmed for your needs using a computer. Very few hearing aids use analog technology.
Also, external hearing aids come in different styles. Some are very small. The smallest ones can fit completely in your ear canal or be hidden in a small case behind your ear with a thin, see-through tube running into your ear canal. Larger styles fit in the outer ear. Each style of hearing aid has pros and cons. Work with your hearing aid provider to find the best kind of hearing aid for your needs.
If your doctor or audiologist suspects or diagnoses hearing loss, he or she may have you see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist or otologist). The specialist can check for other problems and find out the cause of your hearing loss. The doctor can also recommend possible treatments.
If the specialist finds that hearing aids will help, the audiologist can help you choose the type of hearing aid that will work best for you. He or she can help you learn how to get the most benefit from your hearing aids.
If you think your hearing loss is mild to moderate, over the counter hearing aids, which may be called personal sound amplification products, or PSAPs, may be an option. Read reviews of these devices on the Internet and choose one with good ratings. Be careful of low-priced OTC hearing aids.
Permanent hearing loss can make you feel lonely or depressed or like you have lost your independence. Hearing aids can often help with these issues.
Hearing aids can help you hear better and feel connected to family, friends, and others. They can also make you safer when you drive or when you work around your home. Hearing aids may help with your job, hobbies, and daily activities such as talking on the phone. Hearing aids often can be programmed to mask tinnitus (a ringing in the ear).
Wearing hearing aids also shows courtesy to others, because you don't have to keep asking them to repeat what they just said. You can again enjoy talking with your family without extra effort.
It may take from several weeks to months for you to get used to your hearing aids. You may find that:
Here are some general tips to help you adjust to your new hearing aids.
Your doctor or audiologist may suggest hearing aids if:
If your hearing loss is mild to moderate, over-the-counter hearing aids, available without a hearing test, might be an option.
| Try hearing aids | Live without hearing aids | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"For some time I could not hear my family and friends talking to me as clearly as I used to. Sometimes I gave them an answer to their questions that left puzzled looks on their faces, as if I had said the wrong thing. My wife complained about how loud I kept the volume on the TV. So I decided I needed to get my hearing checked. The doctor said my hearing problem could be helped with hearing aids, so I decided to get them."
— Sanjay, age 51
"I talk on the phone a lot for my job. One day I realized I had been having trouble for some time hearing what people said. I kept asking clients to repeat what they just told me on the phone. My doctor said I had some hearing loss in my left ear, the one I use for the phone. He said hearing aids would help. But I decided not to get them for now. I don't like the way hearing aids look, and I can get a volume control for the phone or use my other ear."
— Andria, age 59
"My wife kept kidding me that I needed hearing aids because I would ask her what the characters on my favorite TV show just said. I began to think that I did need them, so I checked with my doctor. But after she cleaned the earwax out of my ears, I found I could hear much better and didn't need hearing aids after all."
— Colin, age 45
"I don't like change and didn't think I could learn to use hearing aids. I live alone, and I'm pretty set in my ways. But I realized I was missing out on what my grandchildren were telling me. My friends encouraged me to give hearing aids a try, and my doctor said it could help. It took some time for me to get used to wearing hearing aids, but I'm glad I made the effort."
— Ruth, age 69
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to get hearing aids
Reasons not to get hearing aids
I need to hear better to do my job and other daily activities.
I hear well enough to get through my day.
Paying attention to people's gestures and facial expressions isn't enough to help me understand what they're saying.
I can live with hearing loss by paying attention to people's gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice.
My hearing problem is affecting relationships with my family, friends, and others.
I don't feel that my hearing problem affects my relationships with others.
I am willing to take the time to adjust to using hearing aids.
I think it would be too hard to adjust to hearing aids and get them to work the way I want them to.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Getting hearing aids
NOT getting hearing aids
1. No matter what is causing my hearing loss, only hearing aids can bring my hearing back.
2. Hearing aids will be very hard for me to get used to.
3. Getting hearing aids can help me feel happier, since I will be able to take part in my family's conversations.
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Charles M. Myer III MD - Otolaryngology |
Current as of: December 2, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Charles M. Myer III MD - Otolaryngology
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