Hearing aids are used by people all over the world to help mitigate hearing loss in patients. If you or someone you know is looking to buy a hearing aid, there are certain factors that you should consider when it comes to picking the right one.
In this blog, we’re going to explore the different aspects that are important when you’re choosing to buy a hearing aid.
How does a hearing aid work?
Hearing aids do not treat hearing loss in patients but can help them live a better
life. They amplify the sound the patient hears by using an amplifier.
Most hearing aids are digital today and come up with a computer chip that is responsible for amplifying the sound that travels into the ear. The amplified sound is then played via a small speaker within the ear so that the incoming sound can be heard clearly by the patient.
Types of hearing aids
It is also important to note that there are different
types of hearing aids available in the market today. Some of the most popular
ones include Completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids, In the canal (ITC)
hearing aids, In the ear (ITE) hearing aids, an Behind the ear (BTE) hearing
aids.
The different types of hearing aids come with different sizes, features, and
where they are placed in the ear. It is ideal to consult with your ENT
specialist when it comes to choosing the type of hearing aid that would be the best for your needs.
How to choose a hearing aid?
As mentioned above, you should only choose a device after a consultation with your ENT doctor. Other than that, there are a number of other things you can do including:
●
Having a significant amount of
money set aside for the device. Most hearing devices, even the budget ones, are
usually pretty steep when it comes to prices and you should be financially
responsible when making the decision to purchase one.
●
Understand the features of the
device you chose. Once you’ve selected a device that is appropriate for you, it
is prudent to take some time to understand how the device works and the
different features that it offers. A lot of patients often lack the
understanding and end up using the device ineffectively.
● Try to get a trial first. A lot of times, you can get a trial period where you can really test if the device is the right fit for you or not. Not every seller will offer a trial period but it is definitely worth going through your options looking for one.
Hearing aids make life easier and better!
As mentioned earlier in this article, hearing aids do not cure hearing loss but they do provide a significant increase in quality of life for patients around the world. We hope this blog was helpful in directing you towards the right hearing device for your needs.
Click For BPPV Vertigo Book
Tinnitus, or ringing in ears, is a common problem that affects more than at least 20% of people all over the world. While tinnitus is not a health condition itself, it is a symptom of an underlying health condition such as any injury to the ear, hearing loss caused by old age, or some problem with the vestibular system.
When it comes to tinnitus treatment, the exact method of the treatment would depend on the cause of the tinnitus. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some of the self-help guidelines and home therapies that can help you manage tinnitus.
Some self-help guidelines for treating tinnitus
It is important to note that only a qualified doctor can provide you with the best tinnitus treatment, but the following tips can be useful to manage the symptom:
●
If you’re experiencing ringing in ears, avoiding
triggers that amplify the symptom can help a lot. Different people have
different triggers for tinnitus including caffeinated drinks, salt, aspirin,
and alcohol. It can be a good idea to identify the triggers that affect you and
then actively avoiding them to prevent tinnitus.
●
Quitting smoking can also help
when it comes to tinnitus treatment.
Smoking aggravates the symptom as nicotine acts as a stimulant and it also
constricts the blood flow and affects the nerve cells that are responsible for
hearing.
●
Another self-help method of
avoiding ringing in ears is
using white noise to reduce the effect of the symptom. Tinnitus is often much
worse when there is no background noise. A white noise machine is the best tool
when it comes to this approach but you can also try other easily available
sources of background noise such as playing soft music, turning on the radio,
or even switching on a fan.
●
Relaxation techniques also help
significantly with tinnitus treatment.
It is common for patients to experience tinnitus more intensely when they’re
stressed and worried. By using relaxation techniques, you reduce the stress
that you might be feeling. Some of the popular relaxation techniques to
mitigate tinnitus include yoga, meditation, and self-hypnosis.
● Lastly, it is also important to take care of your general health in order to ensure your body is healthy and functioning normally. For example, it is a good idea to ensure you’re eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising enough to keep yourself in shape. Fatigue and bad health not only affects
Even though a vertigo doctor will prescribe the treatment for vertigo based on the underlying health condition that is causing it, most doctors use vestibular blocking agents, or VBA medications like antiemetics, benzodiazepines, and antihistamines in the treatment process.
Alongside medication, there are a number of other things that can be involved in the treatment depending on the cause of vertigo. For example, a vertigo specialist may instruct the patient to perform an Epley repositioning manoeuvre in the case of BPPV or diuretic medications in the case of Meniere’s disease.
For the majority of cases, with proper therapy and medication, vertigo can be cured by fixing the underlying health condition using a combination of therapy and medication.
Treatment for tinnitus can also differ based on how the condition manifests itself. For example, some people might hear a low-pitching ringing in their ears which is usually caused by Meniere’s disease while others may experience a high-pitched ringing in the ears which might be caused by acoustic nueroma.
Some of the popular methods used in treating tinnitus involve treating the underlying health condition such as vascular conditions, or it can involve masking methods that help in noise suppression such as hearing aids and masking devices. Lastly, medications can also be prescribed in case the symptoms are too aggravated with alprazolam and tricyclic antidepressants being commonly used.
- Unsteadiness or instability
- Vertigo or spinning sensation
- Fatigue
- Blur vision or loss of vision
- Clumsiness or difficulty in coordination
- Slurring of speech or unclear speech
- Cognitive problems for Eg. difficulty in concentration and changes in memory