Hearing aid features and benefits
It can be difficult to understand how highly technical features of hearing aids help wearers to reconnect with their world. To help you make better sense of this, we have put together the following:
- Table of hearing aid features and benefits
- Relationship between investment and benefit
- What hearing aids can and cannot do
Table of hearing aid features and benefits
Click on the image below to read and print.
Relationship between investment and benefit
Hearing aids have a range of features to assist people with hearing loss to hear better in a range of situations - such as Noise Reduction, Directional Microphones, Feedback Cancellation, Multiple Lifestyle Programs, Automatic programs and more. As these are quite technical concepts, it makes
sense to describe the difference in benefit between entry-level and premium solutions.
The more difficult and challenging the listening environment is for someone with hearing loss, the more help they will need. Premium solutions have better technology to help in noisy environments, to allow people to be able to follow conversations.
So someone who lives - or wants to live - an active life where noisy social situations are common, may need more assistance than another person who just wants to hear the television more effectively.
While the chart on Page 2 of the Client Demonstration Folder gives a clue to what you may need, again it is best to discuss your needs in consultation with a HEARINGLife Audiologist.
What hearing aids can and can’t do
Hearing aids will:
Help you hear and understand speech better in most situations.•Allow you to participate more effectively in group situations and meetings.•Let you hear soft, gentle sounds they may not have heard for years!
Hearing aids cannot:
- Turn back the clock to give them “normal” hearing.
Hearing aids may not:
- Block out ALL background noises, especially in noisy groups.
- Let them hear the very quietest — barely audible — sounds.
Patience is needed!
Hearing aids don’t work like glasses, which correct vision as soon as they are put on. It does take some time to adjust to using new hearing aids; however, they should reach the point where they almost forget they’re wearing them.
Also, they should try having conversations in much noisier places. We’re confident that they will be delighted with improved hearing. It’s very likely they will also notice sounds they may have totally forgotten - like footsteps on the carpet, the rustling of leaves and the tick of a clock!
Remember, end results are well worth the perseverance.