Introduction
Over half of seniors spend their final years without the support or assistance of family, friends, or staff when it comes to daily activities like cooking and managing finances. A study conducted by Mercy Health concluded that 95% of those aged 65 and older who suffer from deafness and hearing loss often need help with managing their devices.
A major problem that arises is the difficulty in finding people who are able to assist with a senior’s device. They may not be able to find an accessible person due to retirement, relocation, death, or just because there are not as many people trained in this area as there used to be.
A hearing aid is a device that can help people who suffer from hearing difficulties. It is designed to boost the sound waves that reach your ears. Hearing aids are intended to restore some or full range of hearing for individuals with impaired hearing which does not have a medical explanation, including sensorineural hearing loss, noise trauma and age-related hearing loss. Hearing aids are often stand-alone devices, but may also be built into eyewear or clothing.
Benefits
The use of a hearing aid may lead to improved sleeping patterns and an improved mood for the individual using it. Hearing aids are not a cure, but can help you receive the highest possible quality of life. Hearing aids can provide varying levels of help for different people. They will fit in with many different lifestyles. Having a hearing aid will not make you deaf, although using it too much may make you deaf because of overuse. Sometimes hearing aids cause less damage to your ears in the long term than when used without any aid at all. This can depend on the quality and type of earpiece used, its size, shape and placement in relation to your ear canal and whether it has been properly fitted by an audiologist.
Hearing Aid Devices For Seniors
1. Certified Audiologist
A certified audiologist is an individual who has completed the proper training needed to perform a hearing test, fit a hearing aid, and place medical devices in the ear canal properly. The process involves:
a. Hearing Testing
An initial hearing test will determine if any loss of hearing exists and can accurately measure both the low and high end of your hearing range to determine whether a device would fit properly in your ear canal and will work effectively. This initial test is usually performed at an audiology clinic or on an appointment, although some companies offer home testing kits that can be used by consumers in their homes to help determine if they are eligible for a hearing aid purchase.
b. Ear Canal Examination
The audiologist will take a few drops of earwax and use an otoscope to visually examine your ear canal for visibility of the eardrum. In some cases, instead of using drops, the examiner may have you move your jaw slightly each time a different person enters the room to see if there is any movement within the ear canal.
c. Ear Molding
Another test is performed to measure your hearing threshold level in order to create an earmold that can be used later in the fitting process and with which to record actual sound levels that you hear while wearing a hearing aid so that the audiologist can develop an exact fit for your device.
d. Hearing Aid Fitting
The audiologist will use the earmold and a set of hearing tests to create a hearing aid that specifically fits your ear canal, your particular type of loss, and your personal preferences. The audiologist will also help you choose between different types of devices including open fit (where the device remains open to the environment), closed fit (where a silicone plug is inserted into the ear canal), or semi-open fit (which is a hybrid between these two styles).
e. Postfitting Services
After fitting you with your new device, the audiologist may provide ongoing support in helping you understand how to use your device properly and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during use.
f. Ongoing Care
With most devices, one set of batteries is required to power the device and another set is required in order to keep power loss at a minimum. The recommended number of daily charges can vary based on the type of hearing aid you have and also on the intensity levels that you need help with. All four parts of your hearing aid, including the batteries, are decided upon by your audiologist during your initial hearing test.
g. Call For Service
If something goes wrong with your hearing aids (noise or volume malfunctioning, severe battery drain issues, etc.) after fitting them, or if you ever feel like they are not helping enough (usually due to overuse), it is best to call your audiologist’s office.
2. Medicare Benefits For Hearing Aids
Medicare does not cover the cost of a hearing aid but there are some situations where you may qualify for coverage. If you have both medical and hearing losses, Medicare may cover up to 80% of the cost of one hearing aid if your medical condition has resulted in your ability to hear what is being said without a device. You can only qualify if no more than 30 days have passed since you received a service or treatment for your medical condition that could be related to your hearing loss.
3. Prescription Coverage For Hearing Aids
Because of their high price tag, most insurance companies will not cover the cost of a device unless it is absolutely necessary. However, Medicare will cover the cost of one hearing aid under certain conditions. Most importantly, your audiology or hearing aid clinic must be in the same state as your primary insurance company.
Conclusion
A hearing aid can be an effective, long-term solution to restoring hearing loss. It is important to have the device fitted by a certified audiologist who can make sure that you have the right devices for your unique needs and hearing level. A common use of hearing aids is to compensate for mild loss of high-frequency hearing, which is more difficult to detect than the loss of low frequency and middle frequencies. Typically, devices intended for use in accordance with this application are known as “high frequency” or “high-frequency” aids. The purpose of high-frequency amplification is to improve a “split-ear effect”.