Common Hearing Aid FAQs
What are the most common hearing aid questions from patients?
Q: Choosing a hearing aid is more challenging than expected. I'm aware of different types and have some doctor recommendations, but I want to ensure I select reputable brands to avoid malfunctions. Price isn't a concern; I'm willing to pay more for better quality. Which hearing aids are the best in terms of quality, reputation, and performance?
A: This is a very common question and unfortunately there is no straightforward answer to this. It’s a bit like saying “Which car is the best”? Perhaps a more precise question to ask would be “What is the best hearing aid for my hearing loss and individual needs”? This question begs two further questions – what is the nature of your hearing loss and what do you need the hearing aids to do?
These questions can only really be answered after having had a consultation with a hearing care professional and a hearing test. In broad terms, the top manufacturers such as Resound, Phonak, Starkey, Widex, Oticon and Siemens offer hearing aids which are of excellent quality and you can view our hearing aid price list here. It may well be that you do not actually need the very top technology in order to meet your needs.
If you have particular difficulty in hearing the television or using a telephone then you may wish to consider hearing aids that have wireless capability. Your hearing aid audiologist can advise on the options available and outline the pros and cons.
Q: I tend to do most of my shopping over the Internet, just because it is cheaper and more convenient for me. I know that hearing aids have to be fitted and it is a good idea to try them on before you buy them, but then again once you know your size could you not confidently order an optimal pair online? Will an online retailer sell you hearing aids, and if so, what information do they need from you?
A: Firstly I would like to clarify what we mean by “buying online”. I consider this phrase to mean nothing more than mail order. You phone or complete an order form and you receive the product through the post. There are companies who provide hearing aids in this manner such as www.hearingdirect.com who are perhaps the most reputable.
The hearing aids themselves are not prescription programmed to the individual’s hearing loss so there is only a remote chance that they would match your hearing loss let alone the size and shape of your ear. Having said that, they are very low priced but I guess you get what you pay for. Hearing loss is a very complex thing and is different from person to person.
There is no substitute for a personal consultation, hearing test and hearing aids that are prescription programmed for your individual hearing loss and your individual preferences. YourHearing provides this service together with low prices published online.
This way you can be confident that you have not only the best custom-programmed solution to your hearing loss but also at the best price. I suggest you try the mail-order solution together with our recommended solution and experience the difference for yourself. Hearing Direct offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and we offer a 60-day full money-back guarantee so there’s no risk.
Q: I've been using my hearing aids daily for months, but recently the sound quality has decreased. Upon inspection, I've noticed excessive earwax on the buds, which may be affecting performance. I want to clean them but am concerned about damaging them. How can I properly clean earwax off my hearing aids?
A: There are many different hearing aids on the market and all of them are a little different. This is not something one can generalise about so you need to contact your hearing aid audiologist. They may require a simple wipe or clean with the tiny brush supplied with the aids or perhaps the changing of a wax protector incorporated into your aid. If you call us we can identify if it is a simple cleaning and talk you through it.
Wax production is perfectly normal and the wearing of hearing aids can actually make you produce more wax.
Q: When I first tried on my hearing aids, they felt perfect, but they didn't stay on when I moved around at home. I'm worried they might fall off and get damaged or become an annoyance. Despite being adjusted based on accurate measurements, I'm seeking solutions to ensure they fit securely at all times.
A: In the first instance you need to contact your hearing aid audiologist. Hearing aids should not fall off with normal wear. There are many things that can be done to make sure the aids are secure. The last thing you want is for them to fall out and get lost or broken.
Q: I can't quantify the joy my hearing aids bring, allowing me to engage in conversations again. However, I'm concerned about possibly needing multiple pairs each year. While friends have mentioned using their hearing aids for years, I'm unsure if they refer to the same brand or devices. I know some models may be more durable, but on average, how long do hearing aids last?
A: As a general rule of thumb, you should get at least 5 years out of a good quality pair of hearing aids. It really depends on how well you look after them. Many people have had their hearing aids for 10 years or more. Most hearing aids can have extended manufacturer warranties of up to 5 years which will cover any component failure. It is therefore worthwhile getting an extended warranty.
Most hearing aids come with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty as standard so you would only need to pay for the extra 3 years. Please be aware that these warranties do not cover loss or accidental damage. You should get your hearing aids covered under your house contents which is usually free or a small nominal additional fee.
Q: Based on the advice of my audiologists I know that hearing aids have a proven track record of working well for most people who use them. I’ve done some reading on how the different types of hearing aids but in all honesty I am still not quite sure how they work. I hate to ask for an answer on a silver platter, but could you make my life easier and explain how hearing aids work in layman’s terms for me?
A: All hearing aids operate in roughly the same manner and they all have the basic components:
Microphone – this is like an ordinary microphone but much smaller. This picks up the sound from the environment. In many cases, the hearing aid can have 2 microphones, one facing towards the front and one towards the back. By having the sound inputs from 2 directions enables the aid to focus on sound originating from the front.
Receiver – this is really a miniature speaker that plays the amplified sound to your ear.
Amplifier/processor – this is the bit between the microphone and receiver that calculates how much amplification to provide and at what frequencies. This part of the hearing aid is usually digital and can perform some amazing calculations in the blink of an eye.
Hearing aid specifications usually mention the number of bands or channels which ranges anywhere from 2 to 22. These are the number of different frequencies that the sound is divided into before it is processed. Generally, the higher the number, the more shapeable the sound and the more sophisticated the hearing aid.
These work a bit like a graphic equalizer on a stereo system. The more little sliders you have, the better the stereo. There are of course many more interesting features of a hearing aid and I have simplified things. If you would like more information then why not call us and we can explain things in as much or as little detail as you wish.
Q: Since starting to use hearing aids a few days ago, I've experienced increased dizziness and vertigo, particularly when standing or walking. I already had some balance issues, but the new aids seem to have worsened the dizziness. Is this a temporary adjustment period, or can hearing aids cause dizziness?
A: Hearing aids in themselves should not cause dizziness. Your hearing and balance are linked as the fluid-filled chambers of the inner ear that are responsible for both of these functions are continuous with each other. You mentioned vertigo – has this been diagnosed? Vertigo is a medically referable condition and if you haven’t done so already then you should see your doctor.
There are conditions where bouts of vertigo together with a change in hearing levels occur. This is possible as a result of a change in pressure within these fluid-filled canals and can be treated or controlled through medication. If you haven’t already done so then see your doctor.
Q: Taking hearing aids in and out on a daily basis seems like it could cause ear infections if you’re not careful. As an elderly person, I try to minimise contact with germs, which is why I made the decision a long time ago to use glasses instead of contacts. I’m sure you have to keep them clean just like everything else but can hearing aids cause an ear infection even if you take the necessary precautions?
A: Hearing aids in themselves cannot cause an ear infection. However, if the hearing aids are not clean when inserted then it is possible to cause an ear infection. It therefore goes without saying that you should follow the advice of your hearing aid audiologist about the specific cleaning of your hearing aids as they do differ from aid to aid.
Q: I have hearing difficulties in both ears, and doctors say little can be done to reverse it. I've heard that hearing aids can not only amplify sounds but may also improve hearing even after removal. Is it true that they enhance hearing or only while worn?
A: Our ears collect the sound and transduce it into electrical signals. This is then sent to the brain where the real sensation of hearing takes place. If someone suffers from a hearing loss then the parts of the brain that would usually receive the sound stimulus can be starved. Over time, the brain can begin to lose its effectiveness in understanding such sounds as speech. This is known as late-onset auditory deprivation.
Q: I work long hours at my job and sometimes I come home from work and I’m so exhausted I just go to sleep without taking my hearing aids out because I fall asleep watching TV. I’m concerned that doing this might be bad for my ears, or that it could damage my hearing aids somehow. Is it safe to wear hearing aids while you’re sleeping? If not, what are the risks of falling asleep with your hearing aids in?
A: It is usually not dangerous to fall asleep with your hearing aids in. I would however not recommend it. The risk is that you lie on one side and cause the hearing aid to produce a whistling sound (acoustic feedback). This can be quite loud and could possibly damage your hearing further.
Q: Sometimes the background noise that my hearing aid creates causes a lot of distraction when I am trying to focus on a serious conversation. As a businessman, I need to be able to hear what is going on during a conference. I’ve been told that hearing aids with telecoils can filter out background noise. Is this true? And which hearing aids have telecoils?
A: Not all hearing aids have telecoils and this type of technology is considered a little dated. There is no general rule of thumb as to which hearing aids have telecoils and this is frequently an optional extra. In order for someone to hear the telecoil signal, not only must the aid have a telecoil but also the room must have a telecoil loop system installed.
These are generally found in churches, cinemas, post offices and many other public places and shops. Not all conference facilities have telecoils.
If you have a demanding lifestyle and it is important that you hear as well as possible in a variety of situations then there are many hi-tech solutions available. Wireless technology should perhaps be considered as it enables hearing aids to communicate with computers, telephones, televisions and also remote microphones.
Q: Lately my hearing aid has not been working as well as it used to. I’m noticing that sounds are muffled and the clarity is just not there anymore. I have a suspicion that the microphone is dirty so the sound waves aren’t getting through well enough to be sent to my ear. Do you think this is a likely explanation for the decrease in performance?
If so, could you please give me a few tips on how to clean the hearing aid microphone and do you think this is why it doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to?
A: It is possible that debris on the microphone could be affecting the performance of your hearing aids. Many hearing aids have filters or microphone covers to prevent this from happening. Over time, microphones generally become less effective. Many hearing aids actually have 2 microphones which enable them to zoom in a given direction.
In the first instance, you should consult your hearing care professional about this as all hearing aids are different. Many people confuse the microphone of a hearing aid with the receiver. If the hearing aid is of the “in the ear” type then the microphone is the small aperture on the outside, external surface. The receiver or speaker is located in the ear canal and this can get blocked with wax. Again, professional advice should be sought before attempting to clean the aid(s).
Need more support?
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