Download Getting hearing aids - Action on Hearing Loss

Getting
hearing aids
You’ll find this leaflet helpful if you’ve been
diagnosed with hearing loss and are about to
get hearing aids for the first time. We explain
how hearing aids work, the benefits of wearing
them and what your options are.
If you, or those close to you, are worried that you’re not
hearing as well as you used to, do have your hearing tested –
it’s the first step to getting the help you need to hear better.
To find out more, see our leaflet How’s your hearing?
If you already wear hearing aids, our leaflet Life with hearing
aids will help you get the best out of them.
If you have any questions or would like more information,
please contact our free Information Line:
Telephone
Textphone
SMS
Email
0808 808 0123
0808 808 9000
0780 000 0360
(standard text message rates apply)
[email protected]
My hearing aids have made
such a difference! Before, I
often wouldn’t understand what
people said to me and I’d just
smile and hope it was appropriate.
Now, I can usually hear everything.
Caroline Vaughan
Contents
• What is a hearing aid and how does it work?
4
• How can hearing aids help me?
5
• Should I have one hearing aid or two?
6
• What are the different types of hearing aid?
6
• Can I choose the type of hearing aid I get?
10
• How long will I have to wait for my hearing aids?
11
• How are hearing aids fitted?
11
• How long will it take me to adjust to my hearing aids?
12
• What should I consider if I go private?
13
• What else can help with my hearing loss?
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• Where can I get further information?
14
Your choice of hearing aid provider
If you need hearing aids, you can get them for free from the
NHS or you can buy them privately. In England, a range of
qualified healthcare providers, including private companies,
provide certain NHS services alongside hospitals and clinics.
This is due to the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) scheme, which
launched in April 2012 to give people more choice about who
they receive their care from. The scheme includes some NHS
adult audiology services, so if AQP is available in your area, and
you meet the qualifying criteria, you may be able to choose who
your GP refers you to for your hearing care from a list of qualified
providers. Your care, including any hearing aids you need, will be
free, as it’s provided by the NHS.
Find out more in our leaflet Any Qualified Provider.
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What is a hearing aid and how does it work?
A hearing aid is a small, battery-operated device that fits in or
behind your ear and makes sounds louder and clearer so that you
hear them comfortably.
There are many different shapes, sizes and types of hearing aid,
but they all work in a similar way:
1A built-in microphone picks up sound and turns it into
an electrical signal.
2This signal is amplified (made louder) using digital technology.
3The amplified signal is then converted back into sound
for you to hear.
Digital technology
Digital hearing aids are the newest kind of hearing aid and
are available as standard, for free, on the NHS. They use more
advanced technology to process sound than the older analogue
hearing aids, which are no longer manufactured.
Digital hearing aids take the signal from their microphone and
convert it into ‘bits’ of data – numbers that can be controlled by
a tiny computer in the hearing aid. An audiologist (a specialist
who deals with hearing and balance disorders) can adjust these
numbers to fine-tune your hearing aids to suit your hearing loss.
Many digital hearing aids let you switch settings for different
listening environments – some even adjust automatically. For
example, most hearing aids have a directional microphone, which
helps you pick up sounds in front of you, rather than at the side
or behind. This can help you to focus on what you want to listen
to in noisy places.
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Getting hearing aids
How can hearing aids help me?
If your audiologist suggests that hearing aids could help you,
do at least try them – the results can be life-changing.
Research has found that wearing hearing aids can lessen the
impact that hearing loss can have on your life – and the earlier
you get them, the more you’ll get out of them.
Everyday sounds and conversation
Hearing aids are designed to help you hear everyday sounds
such as the telephone and doorbell, and improve your ability
to hear speech. They should make you feel more confident
when talking to people and make it much easier for you to follow
conversations in different environments. They might also help you
to enjoy listening to music and the TV again, at a volume that’s
comfortable for those around you.
While hearing aids won’t necessarily make all sounds perfectly
clear – the results can vary and, in part, depend on the severity
and type of hearing loss – they should make them loud enough
for you to hear at a comfortable level.
Hearing aids and tinnitus
If you have tinnitus (noise in your ear(s) or head) as well as
hearing loss, you may find that hearing aids help with both
conditions. Not only will you be able to hear better, but hearing
more environmental sounds (such as chatter and traffic) may help
to distract your brain from your tinnitus.
See our leaflet Understanding tinnitus or visit
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/tinnitus to find out more.
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Should I have one hearing aid or two?
If you have hearing loss in both ears, you should get a hearing aid
for each ear. Wearing two hearing aids is likely to help much more
than wearing just one. For example, you should find it easier to
follow conversations when there’s background noise and tell which
direction a sound is coming from.
However, you may only need one hearing aid if:
• you only have hearing loss in one ear
• the hearing loss in one ear is much worse than in the other
• you have chronic (long-term) infections in one ear.
What are the different types of hearing aid?
Your audiologist will tell you which type of hearing aid will help
you to manage your hearing loss most effectively.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids
The NHS most commonly fits behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids,
but other types are now available from the NHS, too. BTE hearing
aids rest behind your ear and send sound into your ear in one of
three different ways:
1 Through a piece of clear, flexible tubing
connected to an earmould that fits inside
your ear (see picture 1). Many people who
get NHS hearing aids have this type.
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Getting hearing aids
1
2 Through very thin, clear tubing connected
to a small, soft tip (dome) that sits inside
your ear canal (see picture 2). This type of
earpiece is known as an open ear fitting and
can be less noticeable than an earmould.
Because it blocks the ear less, it may give you
a more natural sound, but it’s only suitable
if your hearing loss is mild or moderate. It’s
unlikely to be suitable if you have frequent
ear infections or find fiddly tasks awkward.
2
3 Through a wire, which runs from the
3
hearing aid to a tiny loudspeaker held in the
ear by a soft tip (see picture 3). There are
many different terms to describe this type of
aid – such as receiver in the ear, receiver in
the canal and loudspeaker in the ear – but
they are all essentially the same thing and are
now available from some NHS services. Like
open ear fittings, they may be unsuitable if you have more
than a mild to moderate hearing loss, if you have sight loss or
find fiddly tasks awkward, or if you have frequent ear infections.
In-the-ear and in-the-canal hearing aids
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids and in-the4
canal (ITC) hearing aids (see picture 4) have
their working parts in the earmould, so the
whole aid fits into your ear. ITE aids come in
different sizes – what’s suitable for you will
depend on the severity of your hearing loss
and the size of your ear. All ITE aids can be
seen in the ear (from the side). ITC aids are
smaller and less visible – they fit right inside your ear canal.
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If you have severe hearing loss, very small ear canals or frequent
infections, ITC hearing aids probably won’t be suitable for you. If
you have trouble using small controls, these aids may not suit you
unless they come with a remote control.
Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids fit further into your
ear canal than ITC aids. They are less visible and, in some cases,
are hidden from view unless someone looks closely at your ear.
As these hearing aids are very small, it’s unlikely that they’ll have
additional features like a hearing loop setting (see box below),
because they are too small to carry the technology. This type of
hearing aid isn’t usually available on the NHS.
What is the hearing loop setting?
The hearing loop setting (which used to be called the ‘T’
setting) lets you use listening equipment such as a hearing loop
or infrared system to hear more clearly over background noise.
Your audiologist may need to activate the loop setting on your
hearing aids before you can use it – ask them if you’re unsure.
Invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids
Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids are new and available to
buy privately. They are fitted very deeply in the ear canal. Some
IIC models stay in your ear for a few months at a time and can only
be removed by an audiologist, who will maintain and clean the aid
for you. You can take other models out of your ear by yourself.
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Getting hearing aids
IIC aids are only suitable if you have a mild to moderate hearing
loss and, like CIC aids, they may have limited features.
If you are interested in hearing aids that fit inside your ear, an
audiologist will help you to decide which type is best for you – it
will depend on your hearing loss, the size of your ear canal and
your lifestyle.
What is Bluetooth technology?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that connects electronic
devices containing a Bluetooth microchip when they are close
to each other.
If your hearing aids are Bluetooth-compatible, you can use a
Bluetooth ‘streaming device’, neckloop or ear hooks to link them
with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, MP3 players, computers,
tablets, TVs and other devices. This means you can turn your
hearing aids into wireless ‘headsets’ and listen hands-free.
Ask your audiologist about your options.
Other types of hearing aid
Body-worn hearing aids (see picture 5) have
a small box that you can clip to your clothes
or put in your pocket. This is connected by
a lead to an earmould or a soft tip. This type
of hearing aid may suit you if you have sight
problems or have difficulty using very small
buttons. Some models are very powerful.
5
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CROS/BiCROS hearing aids (see picture 6)
are for people with hearing in one ear only.
CROS hearing aids pick up sound from the
side with no hearing and feed it into the
hearing ear. BiCROS aids amplify sound from
both sides and feed it into the ear that has
hearing. There are now wireless versions
available on the NHS.
6
Bone-conduction hearing aids are for people who can’t wear
conventional hearing aids or those with a ‘conductive’ hearing
loss, which is usually the result of sounds not being able to pass
freely to the cochlea (the hearing organ) in the inner ear. This type
of hearing aid delivers sound directly to the cochlea, through the
skull, using vibrations. One kind involves wearing a headband or
glasses that have a bone conductor attached; the other involves
having an operation behind the ear to implant a permanent fixture
in the bone, which removes the need to wear a headband. A small
sound processor, called a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA),
clips on to this fixture.
Find out more in our factsheet Bone-conduction hearing aids.
Can I choose the type of hearing aid I get?
You can’t always choose the type of hearing aid you get from
the NHS. But you should be able to get one that is digital,
fits comfortably and suits your particular hearing loss. Your
audiologist will programme it to meet your hearing needs.
You may have more choice if you buy your hearing aids privately.
However, some private hearing care providers only sell certain
brands of hearing aid, or just their own brand. Make sure you don’t
let someone point you towards only one or two expensive hearing
aids – there may be cheaper models that suit your needs just as well.
10 Getting hearing aids
How long will I have to wait for
my hearing aids?
If you’re getting NHS hearing aids, once you’ve been seen by an
NHS audiologist, you might have to wait 6-12 weeks before you
have your hearing aids fitted. The time you have to wait may
depend on the type of hearing aid you need. But it also depends
on whether you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern
Ireland, as each country has different targets for treatment times
– check with your audiologist.
If you decide to buy hearing aids privately, the waiting time is
usually no longer than two weeks, but check before you buy (see
‘What should I consider if I go private?’, page 13).
How are hearing aids fitted?
If you need earmoulds for your hearing aids, the audiologist will
take impressions of your ears so that the moulds can be made to
fit your ears snugly. They’ll ask you to come back to get your new
hearing aids when the earmoulds are ready.
At your fitting appointment, the audiologist will ask you questions
about your lifestyle and adjust your hearing aids to suit your
hearing loss and everyday needs by programming them with a
computer. Beforehand, think about the sounds you listen to most
often and which situations you struggle to hear in.
Your audiologist will make sure your hearing aids sit comfortably
in your ears and show you how to use and look after them. This
will include how to put your hearing aids in and remove them
easily. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure of anything.
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
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How long will it take me to adjust
to my hearing aids?
When you first get hearing aids, you may find that everything sounds
louder than you expect and/or your own voice sounds strange – this
is fairly normal. Research shows that, on average, it takes around a
month to adjust to hearing aids, and get the most out of them, but
it can take a few months. The important thing is to not give up.
Your follow-up appointment
Your audiology service should offer you a follow-up appointment
to see how you’re getting on with your hearing aids. This should
be 8–12 weeks after getting hearing aids if you go through
the NHS, or a week or two after your fitting if you go private.
If you find that the sounds you hear, or the hearing aids, are
uncomfortable, the audiologist can make some adjustments.
If you have any problems with your hearing aids in between
appointments, contact your audiology service for support.
Find out more about fitting, using and looking after
your hearing aids in our leaflet Life with hearing aids.
Hear to Help
If you get NHS hearing aids, you might be able to benefit from
our hearing aid support service, Hear to Help. Our community
officers and volunteers help people to manage and maintain
their NHS hearing aids through home visits and drop-in services
across the UK.
Visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/heartohelp or
contact our Information Line to find out more.
12
Getting hearing aids
What should I consider if I go private?
Make sure the private hearing aid dispenser is qualified
By law, all hearing aid dispensers must be qualified, or in
supervised training, and registered with the Health and Care
Professions Council (HCPC):
Telephone 0845 300 6184
Fax 020 7820 9684
www.hcpc-uk.org
However, the HCPC can’t recommend one hearing aid dispenser
over another or any particular type of hearing aid.
It’s always worth asking your GP if they can recommend a private
hearing aid dispenser. You can also use the Locate and Rate tool
on our website, which lets you search for audiology services in
your area (private and NHS) and see ratings and comments
made by people who have previously visited them:
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/locateandrate
Make sure you get value for money
NHS hearing aids and those you can buy privately come from the
same manufacturers. You might have more choice if you buy your
hearing aids, but make sure you’re not spending your money on a
model that you could get for free on the NHS.
If you go private, you can spend between £300 and £3,500 on a
single hearing aid. You might get a discount if you buy two. The
average cost of a pair of hearing aids is about £3,000. Remember,
you’ll have to pay again when your hearing aids need replacing.
You’ll also need to pay for any new earmoulds, tubing and batteries
needed, and any repairs after the warranty expires.
actiononhearingloss.org.uk
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You’ll have to sign a contract agreeing to buy your hearing
aids. Before you sign anything, shop around to compare what’s
available, prices and after-sales care. Always read the terms and
conditions of the contract, and check there is a money-back
guarantee, in case you’re not satisfied with the hearing aids.
Find out more about buying hearing aids in our factsheet
Everything you need to know about getting hearing aids.
What else can help with my hearing loss?
There are lots of things that can help with hearing loss – see our
other leaflets or contact our Information Line to find out about:
• learning to lipread
• great products to help you hear over background noise
or alert you to sounds at home
• communication support, benefits and other practical support.
You may also find sharing experiences and information with others
in similar positions can help. Contact our Information Line to find
a local support group, or get in touch with others through our
website forums (www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/forums)
or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/actiononhearingloss).
Where can I get further information?
We produce a wide range of free information covering hearing loss,
deafness, tinnitus and related issues. Our leaflets cover the basics,
while our factsheets go into more detail – you can find them on
our website at www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/factsheets or
order free copies from our Information Line (see last page for
details). Our friendly, fully trained Information Line Officers will
also answer any queries you have.
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Getting hearing aids
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or audio format, please contact our Information Line.
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for this leaflet, please email [email protected]
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We’re Action on Hearing Loss, the charity
working for a world where hearing loss
doesn’t limit or label people, where tinnitus
is silenced – and where people value and
look after their hearing. We can’t do this
without your help.
To find out more about what we do
and how you can support us, go to
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Action on Hearing Loss Information Line
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
SMS
0780 000 0360
(standard text message rates apply)
Email [email protected]
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2015. REVIEW DATE: JANUARY 2016.
Action on Hearing Loss is the trading name of
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
A registered charity in England and Wales
(207720) and Scotland (SC038926) A0942/0115