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Hearing Aids: Facts, Myths, Do's, and Don'ts |
Hearing aids are sophisticated electronic devices that are used in non-medical treatment of hearing loss. They are not true prosthetic devices in that they do not replace the damaged ear, they are aids to hearing-impaired ears. While it is true that hearing aids cannot help everyone with hearing loss, they can improve hearing in over 90% of all cases.
Hearing aids will: allow children to hear and understand speech better in most listening situations; help children hear in situations that are difficult or dangerous for them; help children hear most of the high pitched speech sounds, particularly consonant sounds; increase children’s ability to participate more fully in group situations.
Hearing aids will not: cure a child’s hearing loss; prevent any further loss of hearing; allow children to hear speech crystal clear when there is a lot of background noise; allow you to hear only what you want to hear (all sounds are processed in the aids); nor, make sounds that are already distorted come in clearly.
Hearing Aid Do’s and Don’ts for Caregivers:
The person for whom you are providing care may need your assistance to manage his or her new hearing aid(s). The aids were fitted carefully to help the user hear better in all communication environments, but the user must take the time to become accustomed to them. It does take time to learn to hear with hearing aids; therefore, the user should gradually increase the length of wearing time from one hour to all day. The following tips should assist you in keeping the hearing aids in good working order.
Bonus: Having trouble with a child's hearing aid? Check out these troubleshooting tips.