Hope Given to Millions of Hearing Impaired Americans After Former President Admits Hearing Loss
By: Ralph Gilmer
Submitted: 2010-09-16 12:14:25 | Word Count: 867
You've probably heard the old axiom about silence being golden, but for 20 million Americans struggling with hearing loss, silence is something they never want to face. Hearing aids are one great way in which these people are able to hear the full spectrum of life. With a former US president openly wearing a hearing aid, the stigma attached is slowly wearing away. It started when this former president was seen wearing one of the new "ear canal" hearing aids. What truly stood out was the fact he admitted to having a problem.
It is estimated that just a little over 12% of the 20 million Americans that have hearing difficulties actually wear hearing aids. One well-known audiologist has estimated that it takes someone about 5 years from the time they realize they have a hearing problem to the moment that person finally seeks professional help. Being Self conscious of wearing a hearing aid seems to put people off she says. It's often considered to be a sign of getting older, and they were often thought to be heavy.
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Even though most people connect hearing loss with getting older, they don't realize that there are a lot of young patients that experience hearing losses as well. She reminds people that over the last 50 years hearing aids have come a long way. A number of innovations have developed which make hearing easier. There is a new device called the canal aid. This kind of hearing aid has been dubbed the Reagan aid, due to the former President's use of one.
Developed only a short time ago, the canal aid is tremendously innovative, is custom fit to each ear canal, is hard to see when worn, and is extremely lightweight. The doctor stated that the canal aid is meant to amplify high pitched sounds and is not intended for the most serious cases of hearing loss.
Although it is very aesthetically pleasing, the tiny size of this hearing aid is what causes trouble. You can't increase the volume very much, and quality control is an issue. Because of the size of this device it's not possible to manufacture it in large quantities at competitive pricing due to the fact that the canal aids are the hottest seller, they're not the most popular. When it comes to popularity, it's the behind the ear model that's the current favorite. This kind of aid currently accounts for 52.4 percent of the market based on a recent survey done by the National Hearing Aid Society.
When it comes hearing aids, the new canal aids are making up nearly 50 percent of sales today. Thanks to their long hair being able to cover behind the ear aids, women will usually opt for these hearing aids while men will rather having a canal aid. In spite of the behind-the-ear units' popularity, there are still other contraptions being made.
Whoever wants to buy a hearing aid needs to actually have a physician diagnose them with hearing loss of some kind. You require medical permission from specialists before you can get a hearing aid. The audiologist pointed out that although any medical doctor can give permission, it is best to see a hearing specialist to diagnose any possible problems you may have with your ears.
Since hearing loss may be due to another problem like an infection and may be corrected surgically or medically, a visit to the doctor should be made. It is now state law that you will need a medical slip in order to get a hearing aid, although it is possible to ignore this formality if the person wanting a hearing aid signs a waiver.
Nevertheless, prior to purchasing a hearing aid without the permission of your doctor requires having the waiver read aloud by the hearing aid seller; in doing so, they make clear to the patient that this choice of action is not recommended. Lest the patient should comprehend this waiver and sign it, the seller will then be able to lawfully test them for hearing impairment and fit them with a hearing aid. To ensure that you are properly tested and receive the correct type of hearing aid, you should visit a qualified audiologist. You may find this service supplied by some hearing aid sellers.
Often buyers can ask a dealer if they offer any sort of trial period for their hearing aids before a final purchase is made. This could cost some money however. Despite the fact that hearing aids are become more advanced, less obtrusive and more widely accepted, audiologists emphasize that they are only able to amplify sound, not reverse hearing loss. No matter how fantastic they can be, they won't completely restore your hearing, just boost what you have left so you can hear it better.
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