Archive for Technology

Purchasing a Hearing Aid

May 26, 2010 · Filed under Business, Health, Technology, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

A defect like hearing loss can affect anybody. Hearing loss makes one of the most common birth defects in the world because about 3 out of 1, 000 new born babies have some form of hearing impairment. With the technology we have now, grateful that there are digital devices for hearing-impaired people. In acquiring one, how you will choose the right hearing aids for you? Several hearing aids exist. Find out what to consider in purchasing a hearing aids device. You should make sure that your provider offers the things below.

In purchasing hearing aids device, first you have to visit the reliable provider which is typically an audiologist or hearing aids/ instrument specialist. You should consider that your provider has a convenient business hours and it makes you easy to schedule the appointment. The office should describes the provider’s training and experience, offers walk-in repair service. As a customer, you bring a family member or significant other and you have to take note during visits. Medical examination are required whether you have undergone check ups by an ear, nose and throat doctor or other licensed physician. The effects of hearing loss on your lifestyle, your relationships at home, school, work or when going out and may include questions pertaining to your phone conversation have to be discuss. As a customer, you are given a chance to share/ discuss your lifestyle, interests, activities, listening situations in which you have a difficulty hearing such as noisy or large rooms, theaters, or meetings for it may affect the choice of hearing aids styles and features. You will undergo different tests for your hearing in a sound proof room. The test results will be explained to you as well as realistic expectations about using hearing aids.

Furthermore, the provider will recommend a particular hearing aids brand best for you. You have to consider the pros and cons of the different hearing device and the most important is your personal preferences concerning the style, aesthetics features and cost of the device. After picking up your new hearing aid, real-ear test will be conducted to adjust the device and for you to be comfortable with it. Your provider should discuss to you how to use and manage the device at the same time what are the things to do for the maintenance of the device. Financial issues also considered in purchasing the device. The provider will discuss related information pertaining to the device ,provides you maintenance tips, proper fitting and adjustments and explains the compatibility of the device to other technologies and other concerned things.

Purchasing an hearing aids device is important for people who have hearing loss for it will help them be connected again in the noisy yet enjoyable world. It is essential if you consult to a reliable hearing aid provider for your safety. You may consider the things mentioned above for your own sake. The device may not bring you to normal hearing but then it will assist your everyday living.

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Choosing The Right Hearing Aid

December 12, 2009 · Filed under Business, Health, Technology, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , ,

Hearing aids may come in different sizes, styles, colors and the way they they’re places in your ear but it contains the same parts to carry sound from environment into your ear. The smaller the hearing aid is, the less powerful it is which limits to a shorter battery life that cost more.

Types of Hearing Aids

Behind The Ear

Behind the ear hearing aids is hook over the top of your ear and rest behind the ear. It is the largest and the most visible type though there are some new smaller BTE versions. It is also capable of more amplification than any other hearing aid styles. BTE is perfect for people with all types of hearing loss suitable for all ages.

Completely In The Canal

Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are molded to fit inside your ear canal and can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. It is least noticeable , likely to pick up wind noise because the ear protects the instrument , easy to use with phone, has smaller batteries and doesn’t contain extra features such as volume control or directional microphones.

In The Canal

An in the canal hearing aid is custom molded and fits partly in the ear canal. It can improve mild to moderate hearing loss in adults. Easy to use with phone, may not fit with smaller ears and includes features that won’t fit on completely in the canal hearing aids.

In The Ear or Full Shell

This type of hearing aid is mostly fills the bowl shaped area of your outer ear. Perfect for people with mild severe hearing loss. It may pick up wind noise, uses larger batteries that last longer and easier to insert into the ear.

Open Fit

A smaller version of BTE hearing aid. Open fit hearing aid is less visible, uses smaller batteries, doesn’t plug the ear like the small in the canal hearing aid do. It leaves the ear canal open which is mostly recommend for normal or near normal hearing.

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‘Designer’ Hearing Aids

December 9, 2009 · Filed under Business, Fashion, Technology · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

The largest charitable organization for deaf in the United Kingdom together with a design magazine launched an exhibition of fantastic hearing aids aimed at their promotion.

The hearing aids exhibition is called ‘Hearwear’ and was opened at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

A wide range of designs was on display, ranging from fashionable devices to improve hearing to items which can simply control sound quality. The examples of the items displayed are as follows: a remote control to eliminate irritating sounds, a device to enable people to have a clear conversation in a noisy bar, and Hearing Aids designed as fashionable jewellery or must-have gadgets.

Another concept, known as the Goldfish, instantly replays the previous 10 seconds of sound to the wearer in case they have failed to catch someone’s name. It is based on the conception that goldfish only have 10 seconds of memory.

The main idea of the show is to persuade people that hearing aids are not a defect but can also be a stylish and appealing item as spectacles have recently become.

The exhibition was organized by mutual efforts of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), design magazine, Blueprint, and creative agency Wolff Olins.

The RNID professionals are sure that the number of people who suffer from hearing defects will increase as noise pollution becomes more intense.

According to John Low, RNID chief executive, “This is likely to become one of the biggest health and social issues of our time. Millions of people who could benefit from wearing a hearing aid or hearing protection are reluctant to do so.”

The charitable organization is striving to change people’s idea of hearing products, “There has been an incredible revolution is the design of glasses, why not in hearing aids.”

Although the European market for Hearing Aids is worth £2.9bn, still millions of people do not use these devices being ashamed of their disability. However, it is ridiculous to deprive ourselves of incredible opportunity to enjoy the sounds of the surrounding world just because the society has thought hearing loss to be a serious defect. Everything changes, as well as people’s attitude to things. At the present time, the growing minority believes that it is better to use a tiny descreet hearing aid item than to retire a few years earlier.

“Hearwear” asked the designers to use their creativity to help break out of this pattern and create stylish and useful products that people might actually want to wear.

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