- WHAT IS A
HEARING AID ?
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- A hearing aid
is an aid to hearing that makes sounds louder so they are more
accessible for a hearing impaired person. Hearing aids must be
individually prescribed and selected to suit each person's hearing
loss.
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- All hearing
aids have 3 main parts.
-
- A microphone,
which picks up sound and converts it into can electrical signal.
-
- An amplifier,
which increases the strength of the signal.
-
- An earphone,
which converts the amplified signal back into sound (at the louder
volume).
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- The main types
of hearing aids available are: in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal
(ITC), behind-the-ear (BTE), body level and spectacle hearing
aids.
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- ITE and ITC
hearing aids have all their components fitted into the earmould,
and the aid sits entirely within the ear or canal. Usually these
are suitable for mild and moderate hearing losses only.
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- BTE hearing
aids can be fitted to a wide range of hearing losses, from mild
to profound.
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- Body level hearing
aids are usually reserved for people who are very deaf, or for
those who cannot manage other types of hearing aids.
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- Spectacle hearing
aids are those where all the components of the hearing aid are
built into the arms of the spectacles. They are rarely fitted
these days as other types are more convenient and just as inconspicuous.
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