Hearing Aids

"Austin Texas, Austin Hearing Services announces its concern for the possible confusion of consumers in the light of some recently released over the counter hearing aids. It is concerned that people may be misled, perhaps not intentionally, but because they are not completely familiar with the specialized field of personal electronics, such as hearing aids."

Several important points to consider:

1.” Digital hearing aids” are those in which the sound coming out is controlled by a microchip. Different hearing companies use different chips; some are faster, and more able to execute more commands (handle information) than others.

2. There are several different uses of the term "program" in play when talking about hearing aids. A "basic program" is the one in which the hearing aid tries to duplicate the shape, or requirements, of the hearing loss.

"Situational programs" are meant to handle different sound environments in which people find themselves. "Situational programs" and "basic programs" are similar, but differ in level of function. A "basic program" might work okay in a face-to-face situation in quiet, but may be impossible to hear through in a restaurant environment, for example.

And finally, "programming" is something performed by a licensed professional, using specialized equipment, to ensure that the potential hundreds of sounds and sound situations fit the exact needs of that person's pattern of hearing loss. Having a basic program is better than nothing, but won't help people when they want to go somewhere with groups of other people, and lack the other two meanings of "program" in their hearing aids.

3. First-tier hearing aid companies have spent time developing software and microchips that:
a. reduce back ground noise,
b. provide a boost for one speaker in a noisy background,
 c. change the settings of the hearing aid automatically when the sound background changes.

First tier hearing aids often have three-year damage warrantees on their products because their products hardly fail and need repair. They have three year loss warrantees because they are highly consumer-conscientious.

In addition the Better Hearing Institute is warning consumers of the inherent risks associated with purchasing over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all hearing aids instead of consulting a hearing healthcare professional. Hearing loss is sometimes the symptom of a serious underlying medical problem. All 50 states require that consumers use a credentialed hearing care professional to purchase hearing aids.

The Better Hearing Institute also points out that hearing devices that are purchased over-the-counter or Internet without the consultation of a hearing healthcare professional may result in the devices not being accurately customized to the specific hearing needs of the individual.

"Today’s state-of-the-art hearing aids should be programmed to the individual’s specific hearing loss requirements in order to provide good levels of benefit and customer satisfaction,” says Sergei Kochkin, BHI’s Executive Director. (Better Hearing Institute) “The process requires a complete in-person hearing assessment in a sound booth; the training and skills of a credentialed hearing healthcare professional in order to prescriptively fit the hearing aids using sophisticated computer programs; and appropriate in-person follow-up and counseling. This is not possible when consumers purchase one-size-fits-all hearing aids over the Internet or elsewhere.”

Extensive research shows that individualized hearing health assessments and fittings programmed specific to the needs of the hearing aid user provide the best chance for optimal hearing enhancement and customer satisfaction.

“The best advice BHI can give anyone purchasing a hearing aid is to find a state credentialed hearing healthcare professional and to communicate openly during the evaluation, fitting and trial period to increase the likelihood that you are receiving the best possible benefit from your hearing aids,” says Kochkin. “It will make a tremendous difference in your ability to hear and in your quality of life.”
BHI has published a comprehensive consumer guide entitled, “Your Guide to Buying Hearing Aids.” (See www.betterhearing.org under hearing loss treatment). The guidelines give confidence to first-time hearing aid buyers by providing a detailed, step-by-step explanation of what to expect, ask, and look for when selecting and visiting a hearing healthcare professional and purchasing a hearing aid.

BHI also has published, “Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids,” the first comprehensive guide on how people can obtain financial assistance to purchase hearing aids.
More about Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
The number of Americans with hearing loss has grown to more than 34 million—roughly 11 percent of the U.S. population. Over the past generation, hearing loss among Americans has increased at a rate of 160 percent of U.S. population growth and is one of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in America today.

Numerous studies have linked untreated hearing loss to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions, including impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks, reduced alertness, increased risk of personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, stress, depression, and diminished psychological and overall health.

But the vast majority of people with hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. In fact, eight out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life, according to a survey by BHI of more than 2,000 consumers.

Advances in digital technology have dramatically improved hearing aids in recent years, making them smaller with better sound quality. Designs are modern, sleek, and discreet. Clarity, greater directionality, better speech audibility in a variety of environments, better cell phone compatibility, less whistling and feedback than hearing aids of the past, and greater ruggedness for active lifestyles are common features.

About BHI

Founded in 1973, BHI conducts research and engages in hearing health education with the goal of helping people with hearing loss benefit from proper treatment. For more information on hearing loss, visit www.betterhearing.org.

About Austin Hearing Services

Austin Hearing Services was founded in 1999 by Margaret Hutchison. Dr. Hutchison has been an audiologist since 1983. She has done both clinical and research work.

Margaret was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Development and Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1996. She has a number of publications and presentations, including "Auditory Temporal Integration and the Power Function Model" in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (1990) and "Hearing-Impaired Theater-goers Experience Direct Sound Input" in Hearing Instruments (1993).

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