How we hear?
Sound is vibration that travels through the air and is sensed by the ear. The ear is a very complex organ comprising of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. From the inner ear the auditory nerve transmits information to the brain for processing.

Outer Ear: The outer ear consists of the pinna and the ear canal.The pinna is shaped like a hand cupped around the entrance to your ear. It is designed like this to improve how you collect sound coming from in front of you. The ear canal also helps you to hear certain sounds better. Our ears are best for hearing human speech. When there is a sound, air particles vibrate from the source all the way to the ear canal. When these air particles vibrate the ear drum, sound is sent to the middle ear.





Middle Ear: The ear drum separates the ear canal from the middle ear space. The ear drum moves best if the air pressure inside the middle ear space is the same as in the ear canal. When there is less air pressure inside the middle ear than in the ear canal, the ear drum is pulled tight. This makes it had for the ear drum to move. A tube, called the Eustachian tube, runs from the middle ear to the throat. The Eustachian tube helps keep the pressure even between the ear canal and the middle ear. Chewing or swallowing can help to open this tube and make the pressure in these spaces equal again. The moving eardrum then moves a chain of 3 small bones, called the ossicles. All 3 of these bones can easily fit on one side of a penny. The third bone connects with the inner ear and the cochlea.



Inner Ear: In the inner ear the auditory input is processed by the cochlea, while information affecting balance is processed by the semicircular canals. Along the entire length of the fluid filled cochlea there are tiny hair cells. These hair cells are bent when the fluid is displaced by sound waves passed on by the middle ear bones. This triggers a chemical response, which activates the corresponding nerve endings. These then transmit the message to the area of the brain in charge of interpreting auditory input.





What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be best described as a ringing or abnormal perception of sound in the ears that is unrelated to external source of stimulation. Tinnitus is a very common disorder.

What is hearing loss?
Hearing loss occurs to most people as they age. It may be caused due to aging, constant exposure to loud noise such as loud music and machinery, middle ear fluid, infections such as meningitis, head or ear trauma and hearing loss can be a result of birth/hereditary defect too. If a hearing loss is suspected, then you should see an Audiologist.

Types and Degrees of Hearing Loss
When describing hearing loss, three attributes are looked: type of hearing loss, degree of hearing loss, and the configuration of the hearing loss.

Impairments in hearing can happen in either frequency or intensity, or both. Hearing loss severity is based on how well a person can hear the frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech. Severity can be described as mild, moderate, severe, or profound.

What is a Hearing Test?
A hearing test consists of responding when you hear different frequencies presented at different volume levels. This test will produce a profile of your hearing, called an audiogram. Results of the audiometric evaluation are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. Loudness is plotted from top to bottom. Frequency, from low to high, is plotted from left to right. The Audiologist will use the audiogram to determine the type and severity of your hearing loss. The Audiologist will also assess the outer and middle ear and determine whether the hearing loss is best treated medically or with hearing aids.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss:
Signs of the early stages of hearing loss include:

• Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in the presence of background noise
• Frequently asking others to repeat what they have said
• Misunderstanding what people say - Difficulty hearing on the telephone
• Requiring the TV or radio volume to be louder than others in the room prefer
• Feeling that people are mumbling when they are talking
• Difficulty hearing certain environmental sounds, such as birds chirping
• Agreeing or nodding your head during conversations when you are not sure what has been said
• Removing yourself from conversations because it is too difficult to hear
• Reading lips so you can try to follow what people are saying
• Straining to hear or keep up with conversations
• Tinnitus

Hearing Aid
What is a Hearing Aid?
A hearing aid is a battery operated, electronic device that amplifies and alters sound to allow for improved hearing. Sounds are received through a microphone which converts the sound waves to an electrical signal. An amplifier increases the volume of the signal and transmits the sound through a speaker in the ear canal.

A hearing instrument contains one of three types of electronic circuitry: digital, programmable analogue or conventional analogue.

a)	Digital Digital devices are the most advanced solution on the market today. They are programmed using a computer. Digital instruments offer the greatest flexibility for matching individual hearing requirements and filtering out unwanted sounds. Performance of these devices can change with listening needs. For example, they can analyze surrounding sounds to maximize soft speech while minimizing background noises like traffic.
b)	Programmable Analogue Programmable analogue circuitry allows the hearing instrument to be matched to the user's comfort and preferences. They allow for adjustments to hearing needs over time as the device can be reprogrammed to meet the user's changing hearing condition.
c)	Conventional Analogue Conventional analogue circuitry offers few automatic features and limited flexibility. The hearing instrument is not programmable and volume is adjusted manually. Soft and loud noises are treated the same, so both speech and background noise is amplified.

All Hearing Aids include:

• a microphone to pick up sounds
• an amplifier to make sounds louder
• a receiver to send the louder signals to the eardrum
• a battery to act as the power source.

Types of Hearing Aids :

	BTE - Behind The Ear Hearing Aid These are standard digital hearing aids. They use a size 13 battery with an optional volume control and program button. Recommended for a wide range of hearing loss. Excellent choice for any wax issues since a mold is in the canal and receives any wax that is present.
	Power BTE Hearing Aid These digital hearing aids are small, use a size 13 battery and are powerful. They have a volume control and a program button. recommended for profound hearing losses. Power BTE provides ample amplification as well as excellent word discrimination in difficult listening environments.
	BTE Mini Hearing Aid A digital hearing aid smaller in size. Size 312 battery, no volume control and a program button. Recommended for mild to moderate hearing losses.
	Over the Ear Hearing Aid These are standard digital hearing aids. They use a size 13 battery with an optional volume control and program button. Recommended for a wide range of hearing losses. Excellent choice for any wax issues since a mold is in the canal and receives any wax that is present.
	BTE RIC - Receiver in the Canal Receiver in the canal digital hearing aids are the latest technology. A variation of the 'Open Fit Concept', they are discreet and comfortable. Sophisticated technology that delivers clear, distinct speech in noisy backgrounds. Use 312 or 10 battery. Recommended for mild to moderate hearing loss.
	In the Ear Hearing Aid In the ear aids house components in a custom formed shell that fits within the outer portion of the ear. Its size and easy to use controls make this design suitable for those with limited manual dexterity. This type of device is suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
	In the Canal Hearing Aid In the canal aids are smaller still with a custom shell that fits in the ear canal. A smaller portion faces out into the outer ear. These aids are discreet yet they still are visible within the outer ear. This type of device is suitable for mild or moderately severe hearing loss.
	Completely in the Canal Hearing Aid The newest design of hearing aids are those that fit completely in the ear canal. These aids are barely visible. The only indication of their existence is the tiny head of a plastic line which is used to insert and remove the aid. Individuals with a narrow ear canal may not be able to use this type of device. This type of device is suitable for mild or moderately severe hearing loss.

Which One is Best For Me?
There are several factors that you should consider when choosing a Hearing Aid:

• degree of hearing loss
• listening requirements
• ear shape and size
• technology
• style
• ability to handle instrument and controls
• safety
• lifestyle needs
• cost

Consider these factors, your expectations and needs as well as what device best fits your price range. This can be further discussed with the Audiologist before your selection is successfully conducted.

How to care for Hearing Aids?
Hearing Aids are sophisticated devices that need regular care and maintenance in order to work effectively. House Ear Clinic hearing care professionals recommend that you schedule an appointment for your hearing aids to be cleaned and checked every three to six months.

Daily Cleaning and Storage
When you remove your hearing aids, wipe them carefully with a dry, soft cloth or a specialized product such as Audio Wipes, which safely clean and disinfect the hearing aids and their ear molds.

Inspect the portion of the hearing aids that fits down into the ear canal. Remove any visible earwax using the cleaning tool provided with your hearing aids--this is usually a brush or wire pick.

Open the battery door and place your hearing aids in their case. Although your hearing aids may have an on/off switch, we still recommend opening the battery door to reduce the affects of moisture and to help prolong battery life.

We recommend investing in a hearing aid storage container specially designed with a dryer or desiccant to remove moisture from your hearing aids. There are also special sprays you can purchase that are designed specifically for the cleaning and disinfecting of hearing aids without causing damage to the hearing aid shell, ear mold or circuitry.

Picture of Hearing Aids

Oticon

Phonak

GN Resound Dot 20	GN Resound Dot 10

Siemens

Bernaforn

Unitron

Beltone