Northern Metro Healthcare Facility Highlights the Differences in Hearing Aids

Hearing loss can be one of the most aggravating aspects of aging, both for the individual and for the people with whom they interact, whether they are loved ones or medical care professionals like the staff at Northern Metropolitan Residential Healthcare Facility. A great deal of the frustration related to hearing challenges can be alleviated with the proper use of hearing aid devices. The broad world of hearing aids can be a little daunting on the first examination, though, so below are a few things to mull over when considering purchasing a device.

Hearing assistance is generally based primarily on the type or cause of hearing loss. Most hearing loss related to aging occurs simply because the receptors in our ears that allow us to hear begin to wear out and die off. This type of hearing loss can often be aided by increasing the volume of sounds. The other major type of hearing loss is neurological and cannot be effectively treated with basic acoustic amplification.

If an elderly patient’s hearing loss can be mitigated by increasing the volume of sounds, it can generally be treated with an in-ear hearing aid that’s essentially a type of small microphone and speaker combination. Standardized versions of these can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. However, the situation is analogous to eyeglasses; you may buy a pair of simple readers over the counter or you may see a doctor and get a custom prescription specifically suited to your body and needs. 

With in-ear hearing aids, the way that the device physically fits into the ear opening can be a factor. Different people have different sized and shaped ear canals, so standardized devices may not be effective or comfortable for everyone. As usual, cost and quality are also correlated factors. Prescription devices are often of better quality, but can range to very costly in price. Consult with your audiologist and your insurance carrier to determine the best hearing aid options available to you. 

To learn more about the Northern Metropolitan Health Care Facility and all of the services they offer, visit http://www.northernmet.com.