They are devices that pick up the sound from the outside environment, amplify it and transfer it to the ear. Hearing aids come in two different forms: bone conduction devices and air conduction devices. Airway devices are of different types, including behind-the-ear, in-ear, or intra-ear canal.
The type and degree of hearing loss affects the benefit seen from the device. In addition to a decrease in hearing level, people with hearing loss also experience a decrease in their ability to hear and understand speech. The ability to understand hearing is not reduced in patients with conductive loss, and this group of patients benefits the most from the device. Since the capacity to understand speech is sometimes reduced in people with neurological loss, it may not always be possible to understand what is heard even with the most perfect device.
LEARNING TO USE A HEARING AID:
The degree of loss depends on the features of the device and personal Although factors affect the success and duration of adaptation to the device, there is a clear benefit in rehabilitation within the framework of a program. It will be easier for people who are starting to use hearing aids to adapt to the following suggestions:
The device should be used at home first: Since these devices amplify all kinds of sounds in the environment, it takes time to concentrate on speaking. This application helps one get used to background noise.
The device should be used as long as it feels comfortable, and should be removed when discomfort is felt. Daily use times should be increased gradually.
Using the device while talking to only one person for a few days until you get used to it will speed up adaptation.
You should not try to hear and understand all the words. It is normal for background noise to affect understanding. It will take time to be able to distinguish between noise and speech.
Practice should be done to understand the direction from which the sound comes. This exercise is done by following someone else's conversation from different places while standing with eyes closed. Tolerance to loud sounds should be increased. This study is done by increasing the volume while listening to TV or radio. When it reaches a disturbing level, the sound is reduced, then increased again, tolerance increases over time.
Studies must be done to distinguish different sounds. Prepare a list of words with only one letter different (table- safe, name-science, etc.) someone is asked to read them slowly in pairs. Meanwhile, lip movements are also followed and after listening carefully, the words are tried to be distinguished as they are read one by one.
Following from the text while someone is reading out loud. You should stop from time to time and check the last word read. When using the device only at home, the number of people speaking at the same time should be gradually increased. It may not be possible to understand all speakers at the same time. It would be more beneficial to focus on the person who speaks the most.
It is necessary to gradually diversify the environments in which the device is used. Market, cinema, in public, etc. increasingly crowded environments may be preferred. Starting from these environments that are quiet and less noisy will speed up the adaptation process. Lip reading training should be taken. It is a helpful supportive technique for device users.
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