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Mayo Clinic Minute: Hearing aids not ‘one-size-fits-all’
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The older you get, the more likely you'll experience a hearing problem. By age 65, nearly 1 in 2 people will deal with the issue.
Most types of hearing loss are irreversible. However, there are number of high-tech options for improving how you hear.
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"Hearing aids, because they're digital, can be adjusted over a wide range of hearing loss," explains Dr. Cynthia Hogan, a Mayo Clinic audiologist.
That's one reason why Dr. Hogan says with hearing aids one-size-fits-all does not apply.
"So there isn't one best hearing aid for older people versus younger people," says Dr. Hogan. "Basically, we try to choose a hearing aid that's going to fit the person's needs."
Important decisions include whether the device will have rechargeable batteries or ones that need to be replaced, and whether the hearing aid will sit behind or in the ear.
"So this is a full-shell, in-the-ear hearing aid," Dr. Hogan explains, while demonstrating a small hearing device. "And, so, it fits all into the ear."
One of the benefits of the in-ear device is wearers can answer and listen to a phone call as they have their entire life. Some hearing aids can even connect to a person's cell phone.
"They can watch videos or things like that directly from their phone to their hearing aid," Dr. Hogan adds.
An audiologist like Dr. Hogan can help you sort through all the options to create a personal solution for your hearing problem.
