Some common people question regarding hearing problem and its solution.

 

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1.        How can I know about my Hearing Loss?

-         If I feel problem to understand soft voice especially from backside, then probably I have poor hearing & need to do testing.

2.      If I have hearing loss then what to do?

-         Immediately contact Hearing Care Professionals (Named as Audiologist) or any nearest Audiological (Ear) testing unit centre or any serious conditions consult an ENT doctor.

3.      Is this common to decrease hearing with advancing age?

-         Yes, generally it is very common.

4.      Is there any test related to ear/poor hearing?

-         Yes, there are so many ear/hearing tests available. For detailing, contact with Hearing Care Professionals.

5.      What is the cost of basic hearing test?

-         It varies clinic to clinic (but generally is around Rs. 500-600/-).

6.     What is Ear Testing?

-         By which test we can know our hearing ability, is known as Ear Testing.

7.      I have very slighter degree of hearing problem, now what to do?

-         If you feel problem in always regarding that then you must take expert advice.

8.     Hearing tests are like blood tests?

-         No, both are completely different.

 

9.     Is hearing test time consuming?

-         It depends on what the test is being performed. But generally basic hearing test is not time consuming.

10.  Is hearing test possible at Home?

-Generally it is scientifically not advised to do hearing test at home, but as considering some situations we are bound to do at home followed by International Guidelines Norms as much as possible.

11.    Is Hearing Test possible by Online?

-         Without the presence of Professional(s), it is not possible by online.

12.   I have felt some abnormal sound into my ear, how can I control it?

-         Immediately consult to ENT doctor, if they advise to contact a Hearing Professional(s) then contact to us.

13.   Are ENT doctors eligible to do hearing test?

-         No, they don’t have any licenses to do that, only a registered Hearing Professional(s) can do it.

14.   If my hearing problem is not treated, then will I deaf?

-         No exactly not like that, but if bilateral hearing problem untreated then your speech perception will severely poor as hearing level will markedly detoriates.

15.   Are adult & child hearing test same?

-         Basic test are same for both but it depends on the age & mental state of the child.

16.  Who are doing hearing tests?

-         Only a registered Hearing professional (Audiologist) can do it.

17.   In general clinic, is it possible to do hearing test?

-         No, hearing test needs special clinic with some unique features.

18.  I have blocked Right ear since many years, is it curable now?

-         It completely depends on the pathology & its extension. For this, consult with ENT.

 

19.  Are there any side effects of hearing test?

-         No, it doesn’t have any side effects.

20. Is hearing & ear test same?

-         Basic concept are almost same (hearing test is a broad term where ear test is not like that completely).

21.   What is the name of basic hearing test?

-         Pure Tone Audiometry (for adult) & ABR (for Newborn & child population).

22.  Doctor advised me for hearing aids, how can I get it?

-         Consult with a hearing Professional /Hearing Clinic for detailing.

23.  Is hearing test need sleep?

-         Basic hearing test for child needs sleep otherwise not.

24.  Is empty stomach necessary for hearing test?

-         No, it is not necessary.

25.  I have excessive ear wax, what is its permanent solution?

-         Please consult ENT as early as possible.

26. Suddenly I feel severe ear pain, can I consult doctor now?

-         Yes, it’s very urgent to consult a physician.

27.  I have active ear discharge, Can I swim?

-         No, you try to avoid swimming completely until consult ENT.

28. Is there any relation to hearing loss and spinning sensation?

-         Yes, generally it has.

29. I have cardiac pacemaker, is it affect my hearing test?

-         No, it never.

30.  What is Normal Hearing Level?

-         For adult it is upto 25 dBHL & for child it is upto 15 dBHL.

31.   Is it possible to do one ear hearing test?

-         Yes it is possible but clinically inconclusive for interpretation.

 

32.  What is abnormal hearing of adult?

-         In any frequency if hearing level more than 25 dBHL (dominating for 500 to 2000 Hz region) then it is treated as abnormal hearing on that freq.

33.   Is there any relation to hearing loss & sleep?

-         No, it is not.

34.  Is hearing aid(s) help to improve hearing?

-         No, its working principle based on residual hearing but with the help of it you can perceive better speech understanding ability.

35.  I feel uncomfortable to listen TV, Radio, do I need hearing aids?

-         Probably it is Yes (full confirmation after completion of testing).

36.  How long a battery (cell) gives service of hearing aids?

-         Average 120-140 Hours (for single Hearing aid battery) if it is used 8-9 Hours a day.

37.  Can I operate my own hearing aid?

-         Not all, but for some parameters you can operate with your own.

38.  Is Hearing Aid (s) for one ear or both ears?

-         In bilateral hearing loss, scientific recommendation always in both ear(s).

39.       Is hearing aid(s) can cure hearing problem completely?

-         Never. It can only support you to understand speech based on your residual hearing with maximum accuracy.

40.   Can we bath/swim with Hearing Aid (s)?

-         It is better not to do that.

41.      Is Hearing aid(s) water proof?

-         Generally no but some has water resistant technology.

42.     Is the battery of hearing aid(s) rechargeable?

-         Some Modernized & specific hearing Aid(s) has this option.

 

43.     Can the hearing aid (s) give service for life long?

-         Never.

44.  How can I care about my hearing aid(s)?

-         When you will bring it then our professional (s) will guide you about the care & maintenance of it.

45.   Has hearing aid any side effects?

-         No, it never has any side effects.

46. How can you know that, which hearing aid(s) will appropriate for you?

-         An Audiologist can select & fit your hearing aid(s) with your current audiological reports.

47.       Can a hearing aid(s) beneficial for Profound hearing loss?

-         Most of the time it is beneficial except some issues (like dead ear).

48.      Can hearing aid(s) fulfill the cosmetic appeal?

-         Mostly (except in few issues).

49.      From what distance hearing aid(s) can work?

-         Around 10 ft (if bilateral), in noisy place.

50.       Why the price of hearing aid(s) varies?

-         For technology, cosmetic appeal & magnitude of hearing loss.

51.         What are the new technologies in hearing aid(s)?

-          Rechargeable batteries, water resistant, dust proof, i-phone compatibility, Bluetooth and wireless technology.

52.        How long a battery of hearing aid(s) will sustain?

-         Average around 120-140 hours (depends on size, usage time & magnitude of hearing).

53.        Which is the best hearing aid(s) company?

-         Almost all are equal (very minute differences as per patient perception).

 

54.       For hearing aid trial, how many hearing aid(s) are necessary?

-         Minimum 2-3 hearing aid(s) from various companies.

55.        Is Hearing Aid(s) colorful?

-         Yes, it can possible by special order but mostly not by default.

56.       What will be the longibility of a hearing Aid (s)?

-         Generally around 4-5 years.

57.        What is the warranty period of a hearing aid(s)?

-         Generally two (2) years of International Warranty. But some company gives extra 2-3 years warranty with additional cost.

58.   Is EMI facilities available in Hearing aids?

-         Bajaj Finance has this facility.

59.    Can we get warranty in all instances?

-         Except any leakage from battery which affects it & in case of broken battery door.

60.      I need invisible hearing aid(s), what to do for it?

-         First you consult a professional then just give a ear impression and wait some days to make it complete.

61.   If I want colorful hearing aid(s), then will extra cost applicable for that?

-         Yes, some specific company (specific models) makes it with some additional cost.

62. Which company hearing aid(s) is better?

-         All companies are good. Signia (Siemens) is more popular because it makes various products in different field with the same brand name.

63.  Is it scientific to wear hearing aid(s) from different companies in both Ears?

-         Only in presence of some extreme condition due to any reason.

 

64. Is the sound clarity of hearing aid(s) from different companies varies?

-         Very negligible differences.

65.  I have sudden vomiting with balance problem, what to do now?

-         Immediately consult with ENT doctor & follow his/her advices.

66. What is balance problem? Is it correlated with hearing loss?

-         If anybody fails to control his/her body balance then it is called as balance problem. Generally it is correlated with hearing loss.

67. What are the different companies of hearing aid(s)?

-         Widex (Denmark), Signia [Siemens] (Germany), Resound (Denmark), Danavox (Denmark), Phonak (Switzerland), Bernafon (Switzerland), Starkey (United Kingdom), Oticon (Denmark) etc.

68. Is audiological report(s) report mandatory during hearing aid fitting?

-         Recent testing report is mandatory in 100 % of cases.

69.   How will Hearing Aid(s) scientifically fit for a patient?

-         By using different fitting formulas & appropriate programming.

70. Is Hearing Aid fitting, a time consuming procedure?

-         Yes, generally the scientific Hearing Aid Fitting is a very time consuming procedure.

71.         Is Ear Mould(s) mandatory with all hearing aid(s)?

-         Except RICs, CIC & ITC (Custom Moulded Hearing Aids), it is necessary for proper fitting & to avoid feedback.

72.     What is the various ear moulds?

-         Soft & Hard Ear Mould. Some special cases it needs some scientific design as per hearing pattern.

73.    Is it better to buy hearing aid(s) from online?

-         It is completely unscientific to buy a new hearing aid & for new hearing aid user (only those are using a specific model then can modify it into a new with same model).

74.     Can we use hearing aid(s) during sleep?

-         Simply meaningless, if anybody use it during sleep it may damage.

75.     Can I fit my left hearing aid into my right or vice versa?

-         Scientifically incorrect. It can affect the clarity of your hearing & may cause the damage of hearing.

76.    Can tinnitus disappear completely by hearing aid(s)?

-         If it in low intensity, it feels like disappear (habituated) in most of the cases.

77.      What is Tinnitus Masker (heard from Physician)?

-         It is a special technology of hearing aid (which can help to habituated tinnitus, if pitch matches).

78.     Can hearing aid(s) damage the hearing level?

-         Digital Programmable technologies (with proper programming) never do this.

79.     Is yearly programming of hearing aid(s) mandatory?

-         Yes. But it is better to do it in every 3-6 months as per hearing report.

80.     How often hearing aid should be clean from wax, dust etc?

-         It should be clean on regular basis for proper protection & longevity.

81.  What is the use of dry kit box of hearing aid?

-         It absorbs sweat, moist or related things from hearing aid(s).

82.     Is digital Hearing Aid(s) has on-off switch?

-         No extra on-off switch is there, but complete closing of battery door means it switched on.

83.   What is wire based hearing aids?

-         The Analog hearing aid(s) has wire(s). These are completely obsolete now.

84.  What is the function of ear(s)?

-         Mainly two functions like: to help in hearing & to maintain body balance.

85. Can cell (battery) of watch is applicable in hearing aid(s)?

-         Never, it will damage your hearing aid(s). You need mainly Zinc-Air batteries for hearing aid(s).

86.  What is the size of different hearing aid(s) batteries?

-         10, 13, 675 (for digital hearing aids).

87.  I phone connectivity is there in hearing aid(s)?

-         Yes, some specific model(s) with some companies has this facility.

88.  Can we purchase Hearing aid(s) by finance?

-            Yes, Bajaj Finance Company is compatible with this facility.

89.    What is branded hearing aid(s)?

-         The hearing aid(s) which has International Brand value called Branded hearing aid(s).

90.  If my hearing loss will increase then is it necessary to change my hearing aid (s)?

-         If the changed hearing loss will be within the range of that hearing aid then no need to change it just reprogramming and continue it, but if the loss will more than that range then it is mandatory to change the device.

91.   If hearing aid (s) fall down from my hand then will it damaged?

-         It depends on severity of fall down & the parts damaged.

92.  How a professional will select a hearing aid for child population?

-         They fit based on prescriptive hearing aid fitting formulas (with related issues) followed by the Audiological reports.

93.  My hearing aid is not working properly, what to do now?

-         First you follow the initial guide what you already advice, if problem persist then consult with technical person/professionals/company.

94. Can we use phone (especially Smartphone) with Hearing aid(s)?

-         100 % with digital programmable technology.

95.     Is headphone affects hearing?

-         Definitely, most of the cases & if regular & consistent use then it will affect hearing.

96. Can hearing aid(s) control/protect the hearing loss?

-         Never. It only helps to hearing as per residual hearing level.

97.   By mistake if water, enter into hearing aid(s) then what happen?

-         It may damage the hearing aid (s) completely.

98.    Are Hearing Aid(s) exchangeable?

-         Yes, in recent scenario, most of the digital programmable hearing aid(s) are exchangeable in working condition.

99. Are hearing aid parts available?

-         It depends on company & models. Only a company Engineer can say it properly.

100.                      Is hearing aid replaceable?

-         Generally no, but for some extreme cases it is possible (Terms & conditions apply).

101.                       My child has speech problem, what can I do?

-         Contact with a registered Speech Language Pathologist or the same as early as possible.

102.                      My voice is changed day by day, how can I improve it?

-         Give complete or modified voice rest (as much as possible) & consult with related professional(s).

103.                       Is COVID-19 responsible for Hearing Loss?

-         Till now, there are no literature back up behind this.

 

 

SANTO DUTTA

BASLP (WBUHS), MASLP (WBUHS)

Consultant Audiologist & Speech Language Pathologist

Mentor & Senior Audiologist (“SHROBONEE”).

Hearing Problem