Frequently Asked Questions
Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids
Below we answer some of the most common questions asked about hearing loss and hearing aids.
What causes hearing loss?
The main cause of hearing loss is something we all have to come to terms with – our age. However, it can be result from disease, trauma or long-term exposure to damaging noise.
Can hearing loss be cured by drugs or surgery?
At the moment, only very occasionally can hearing loss be cured by either drugs or surgery, although this could change the future. Most people with hearing difficulties find that a professionally prescribed hearing aid will improve their hearing.
Will a hearing aid cure my hearing loss?
It is important to remember that although hearing aids can make the best of whatever hearing you have remaining, they cannot physically alter your natural hearing mechanism or return your hearing to what it was like when you were younger or could hear well.
What is a hearing aid and how does it work?
A hearing aid is an electronic, battery-operated device that amplifies sound. Each hearing aid contains a microphone that converts sound into electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of the signals and the speaker sends the sound to the ear.
I’m not deaf, I just have trouble hearing background noise. Do I really need a hearing aid?
The loss of the ear’s ‘fine-tuning’ causes many people to have difficulty hearing when there is any kind of background noise such as the rumble of traffic or children playing in the same room. It is not deafness in the accepted sense, but a hearing aid could help improve your hearing. A hearing assessment with a Hearing care Professional would establish the extent of any hearing loss and they would be able to offer advice on the best hearing solution to meet your needs.
What is the difference between an analogue and digital hearing aid?
Old analogue types of hearing aid tend to suffer from whistling feedback and distorted noise. Some people who wear this type of aid find that they cannot hear conversations when there is any background noise. With a digital hearing aid, these problems are minimised and in some situations, solved together. Unlike an analogue aid a digital hearing aid contains a tiny computer which processes sound very precisely. This type of aid can continuously modify sound to match the user’s exact hearing profile, helping improve the ability to understand speech, even in background noise.
Any other questions or concerns
If you have any other question or concern about your hearing, please speak to your GP or to a registered Hearing Aid Audiologist.
You can identify your nearest Hidden Hearing Centre by typing in your post code into the locator on the website, or free phone 0800 740 8231 for assistance.
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