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Hearing

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Common Causes

How Hearing Aids Help

Hearing Aid Styles

Articles

What is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is a reduction in your ability to hear sounds in one or both ears. It can range from mild (trouble hearing in noisy places) to profound (very little or no hearing). Hearing loss may be sudden or gradual and affects people of all ages.

Types of Hearing Loss

  • Sensorineural: Damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. This is the most common and often permanent.
  • Conductive: Problems in the outer or middle ear (wax buildup, infection, eardrum injury). Sometimes treatable.
  • Mixed: A combination of sensorineural and conductive factors.

Common Causes

Common Causes of Hearing Loss

  • Aging (presbycusis)
  • Noise exposure
  • Ear infections or injury
  • Certain medications (ototoxic drugs)
  • Genetic or congenital conditions

Signs to Watch For:

  • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noise
  • Asking people to repeat themselves
  • Turning the TV or phone up louder than others prefer
  • Missing phone calls or doorbells
  • Feeling that people mumble
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

How Hearing Aids Help

Hearing aids are small electronic devices that amplify sound and make speech clearer. Hearing aids don’t “cure” hearing loss. Instead, they can greatly improve communication and quality of life.

Modern hearing aids do much more than make things louder. Hearing aids:

  • Improve speech clarity
  • Reduce background noise
  • Connect wirelessly to phones and TVs

Hearing Aid Styles:

  • Behind-the-Ear (BTE): The main part sits behind the ear, with a thin tube or earmold that directs sound into the ear canal. Best for: All degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound.
  • Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) / Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE): Similar to BTE, but the receiver (speaker) sits in the ear canal instead of in the main body. Connected by a thin wire. Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss.
  • In-the-Ear (ITE): Custom made to fit the outer portion of your ear. Everything (microphone, amplifier, speaker, and battery) is contained in one shell. Best for: Mild to severe hearing loss.
  • In-the-Canal (ITC): Custom molded to fit partially inside the ear canal, leaving a small part visible. Best for: Mild to moderate hearing loss.
  • Completely-in-Canal (CIC): Sits deep inside the ear canal, nearly invisible from the outside. Best for: Mild to moderate hearing loss.
  • Invisible-in-Canal (IIC): The smallest and most discreet hearing aid style, fitting deep within the ear canal—invisible to others. Best for: Mild to moderate hearing loss.


CHS is an Affiliate Chapter of the International Hearing Society

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