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Typically each battery size is the main determining factor in how long each battery will last while in use with the hearing aid. The different battery sizes are ones like 312’s, 13’s, 10’s, and 675’s you probably know what battery you’re using based on the type of hearing aid you have. Normally the bigger the batteries like the 675 and the 13’s the longer they can last.
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“If I had a hearing impairment, I would know it.” This is a common quote heard by many Audiologists and is not necessarily a true statement. Hearing loss often develops over an extended period of time and the onset is gradual. Our brains naturally adapt over time which is why a hearing loss can sometimes ‘sneak-up’ on people. Audiologists often counsel patients that they cannot know what they are missing if they do not hear it. There may be sounds in your world that are occurring, but you don’t notice them due to your loss, therefore you don’t know what you are missing.
Hearing evaluations are similar to having your eyesight tested yearly to check for any changes that may have occurred. If you were unable to see clearly, you would not go about your life as though you could see perfectly fine because one, others around you would know there is a problem; two, it would be difficult and; three, it could possibly even be dangerous. The same holds true with loss of hearing. The sense of hearing is one of your most important senses. Without it, you could be missing out on important words or sounds that change meaning of conversations, you could possibly not hear the car horn when crossing the road, you could miss what your granddaughter/grandson just said to you and she/he won't understand why you don't respond. It's like living with your fingers stuck in your ears.
Technology is continuously getting better and better. Cell phones are getting smarter, televisions are getting bigger and brighter, and hearing aids have continued to become smarter and more natural.
Hearing Loss Myths
Hearing hygiene does not mean listening to clean and wholesome sounds, it means making sure when exposed to noises that are loud or uncomfortable, you take precautions to protect your hearing. Ten million Americans can attribute noise exposure for their loss of hearing. Protecting and preventing the damage is relatively simple and cheap.
There are several ways to classify hearing aids; the most basic is the style or where the hearing aid is placed for use. The tiniest hearing aids are the Completely in the Canal (CIC) models which are about the size of half a dime and when in use are slid completely in the ear canal these models make seeing the device next to impossible and can ease any self-conscious feelings a person has about needing to wear a hearing aid.
Children can benefit from hearing checkups perhaps more than adults. A young child does not know that they are not hearing well or if they have ever heard well. Schools do conduct hearing tests on children but these tests are not highly detailed nor are they conducted in a low sound setting. Much could be missed because the child was given a hearing test while there were background noises and distractions.
Getting checked for a hearing problem or issue may make you feel nervous or anxious about what type of testing will be done. To check your hearing performance, a certified hearing professional or audiologist will conduct a couple of relatively easy tests. There are two tests involved in a typical hearing check- the air conduction test and the bone conduction test. Together they generate an accurate picture of how the structures and nerves in your ears are working and how well they can pick up sounds in your environment.