Hearing aids - What you need to know

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Hearing aids are a primary treatment option for those with hearing loss. They have helped millions of people

• Hear sounds they have not heard in years
• Improve their social interactions and
• Reduce their risk of injury or death by helping them hear critical alerts

This is not an exhaustive list. Hearing aid health benefits are well-studied. But too often, those who can benefit underestimate the benefits they provide.

Today, hearing aids provide sophisticated sound processing and many features you can customize. They also come with smartphone apps to help you adjust what you hear in real time.

Plus, for Canadians, hearing aids are tax-deductible.

Not sure if hearing aids are right for you? Visit a hearing clinic and ask about a free hearing aid trial.

How do hearing aids work? 

Hearing aids contain three parts: 

• A microphone to detect sounds
• A processor that determines which sounds to amplify, and 
• A speaker that sits in the ear to deliver those sounds. 

Hearing aids can use disposable or rechargeable batteries. They are also custom-fit and custom-programmed to address your unique hearing loss.

Types of hearing aids

There are many types of hearing aids. The two main categories are behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE).

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

Most hearing aid users choose a behind-the-ear model. It is ideal for those with mild to profound hearing loss of high-frequency sounds. These are often referred to as either RITE (receiver in the ear) or RIC (receiver in canal).

Because BTE hearing aids do not block the ear completely, they allow other sounds, to enter the ear.

Although worn outside the ear, these are light, small and almost unnoticeable on the ear. They come in a variety of colours and flesh tones.

BTE hearing aids also come with many advanced features and tend to offer the best sound quality.

In-the-ear (ITE)

ITE hearing aids are a single unit that is custom-designed for the ear. They range in size from

• the smallest invisible in-the-canal (IIC)
• to a larger completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
• to a full shell in-the-ear (ITE).

The size and style available to you depends on the size of your ear canal and the level of your hearing loss. If you are able to use the smallest IIC style, it is very discreet. 

Larger, custom products are usually more flexible for people with significant hearing loss. They can also be easier to insert.

To find the best hearing aid for you, your hearing professional will consider your

• Type of hearing loss
• Communication requirements
• Lifestyle 
• Dexterity
• Medical and audiological history and related findings

Special features for hearing aids

Several features are available to improve your hearing experience. The most common are:

• Directional microphones enhance speech understanding and reduce the impact of background noise
• Noise management to improve listening comfort in noisy environments
• Feedback cancellation reduces whistling or buzzing. This can occur when the microphone gets too close to the speaker
• Programs and remote controls to access sound from phones, TVs and other devices
• Tinnitus masking tools for people who have ringing in the ears
• Cutting-edge hearing aids come with artificial intelligence and deep neural networks
• Wireless capabilities to transfer sound between ears and connect to Bluetooth devices
• Rechargeable hearing aid batteries for a listening experience with fewer interruptions

Do you need one or two hearing aids?

Two hearing aids provide the most benefits. They provide 

• Better word recognition in quiet and noisy backgrounds
• Better quality of sound
• The ability to determine the direction from which sound is coming 
• A more natural hearing experience.

When only one ear wears it, the unaided ear may lose speech recognition quicker than the fitted ear. 

If your hearing professional prescribes hearing aids, they must be fitted. They should amplify sounds so you can hear without discomfort. They must also be secure in the ear.

Using a computer, your hearing professional adjusts your hearing aids. He or she will also measure the results. This is known as a calibration.

The quiet nature of a hearing clinic does not represent the variety of sounds heard in everyday life. You will need to test your new hearing aids in the sound environments most important to you. 

Rest assured, your hearing care provider will help you understand your new hearing aids and how to use them. 

Proper care and maintenance

Hearing aids need frequent cleaning, though this is a quick process. Your hearing care professional will show you how to clean your hearing aids. You can also refer to your hearing aid user’s manual.

Hearing aids operate under hostile conditions:

• Temperature extremes
• High levels of humidity
• Perspiration and
• Earwax

So, they may need occasional maintenance or replacement parts. Proper care reduces the need for repair. 

Your hearing care professional will review the details of your 

• hearing aid repair warranty, 
• loss and damage protection,
• service protocols,
• Maintenance advice 
• Introductory periods and 
• return policies.

How long will it take to get used to hearing aids? 

Your hearing care provider will recommend a schedule to help you get used to your new hearing aids. Unlike eyeglasses, hearing aids generally take days to weeks to get used to. We call this the adjustment period.

If you had untreated hearing loss for a long time, this process may take even longer. That's because your brain needs time to adapt. It has to learn how to process all the new noises into recognizable sounds. While it can be a hurdle, this is very good for your brain in the long run!

Your hearing environment is unique, so a daily journal is useful. This is helpful especially in the first few weeks and months with your hearing aids.

If you're not happy with how they're working in some settings, talk to your hearing care provider. They can likely adjust your hearing aids or give you custom settings. For example, if you're a music lover, a music setting can be a huge help. 

Have realistic expectations

Even with the best technology, it is important to maintain realistic expectations. While hearing aids make sounds easier to hear, they will not restore normal hearing.

Hearing aids re-introduce you to a world of sound, and it takes time to become accustomed to the new sounds. Some people adjust quicker than others. Ask about auditory training programs, communication strategies and assistive listening devices to help. 

Don’t worry if you find that it takes you a little while to get used to your new hearing aids. This is normal. They will bring big changes to your life, and big changes take a bit of getting used to.​