- Hearing aid price
- When it is necessary to use
- Device types and how they work
- How to maintain the hearing aid
- How to clean
- How to change the battery
The hearing aid, also called an acoustic hearing aid, is a small device that must be placed directly in the ear to help increase the volume of sounds, facilitating the hearing of people who have lost this function, at any age, being very common in elderly people who lose their hearing capacity due to aging.
There are several types of devices, for internal or external use to the ear, composed of microphone, sound amplifier and speaker, which increases the sound to reach the ear. For its use, it is necessary to go to the otorhinolaryngologist and do hearing exams, such as an audiogram, to find out the degree of deafness, which can be mild or profound, and choose the most appropriate device.
In addition, there are several models and brands, such as Widex, Siemens, Phonak and Oticon, for example, in addition to various shapes and sizes, and the possibility to use in one ear or both.
Hearing aid price
The price of the hearing aid depending on the type and brand of device, which can vary between 8 thousand and 12 thousand reais.
However, in some states in Brazil, patients with hearing difficulties may have access to a hearing aid free of charge, through SUS, after the doctor's indication.
When it is necessary to use
Hearing aids are indicated by the otorhinolaryngologist for cases of deafness due to wear of the auditory system, or when there is a situation or disease that causes difficulty for the arrival of sound in the inner ear, such as:
- Sequelae of chronic otitis; Alteration of the structures of the ear, due to trauma or a disease, such as otosclerosis; Damage to the cells of the ear due to excessive noise, due to work or listening to loud music; Presbycusis, in which degeneration of the cells occurs ear due to aging; Tumor in the ear.
When there is any type of hearing loss, the otorhinolaryngologist must be evaluated, who will assess the type of deafness and confirm whether there is a need to use the hearing aid or whether any medication or surgery is required for treatment. Then, the speech therapist will be the professional responsible for indicating the type of device, in addition to adapting and monitoring the hearing aid for the user.
In addition, in the case of a more severe deafness, of the sensorineural type, or when there is no improvement in hearing with the hearing aid, a cochlear implant, an electronic device that directly stimulates the auditory nerve through small electrodes that take the electrical signals to the brain that interpret them as sounds, completely replacing the ears of people who have severe deafness. Learn more about prices and how the cochlear implant works.
Device types and how they work
There are different types and models of hearing aids, which must be guided by the doctor and speech therapist. The main ones are:
- Retroauricular, or BTE: it is the most common, used attached to the upper external part of the ear, and connected to the ear by a thin tube that conducts the sound. It has internal programming controls, such as volume regulation, and battery compartment; Intracanal, or ITE: is for internal use, being fixed inside the ear canal, manufactured specifically for the person who will use it, after making an ear mold. It can have internal or external control with volume button and programming to control the function, and battery compartment; Deep intracanal, or RITE: it is the smallest model, with digital technology, for internal use, as it fits completely inside the ear canal, being practically invisible when placed. It adapts very well for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The internal devices have a higher cost, however, the choice between these models is made according to the needs of each person. For its use, it is recommended to undergo auditory rehabilitation training with the speech therapist, to allow a better adaptation and, in addition, the doctor can indicate a period of home testing to know whether or not there is adaptation.
How to maintain the hearing aid
The hearing aid must be handled with care, as it is a fragile device, which can easily break down and, therefore, it is important to remove the device whenever you shower, exercise or sleep.
In addition, it is important to take the device to the hearing aid store, at least twice a year, for maintenance and whenever it is not working properly.
How to clean
To clean the BTE, you must:
- Switch off the device using the on-off or on-off button and separate the electronics from the plastic part, holding only the plastic mold; Clean the plastic mold with a small amount of audioclear spray or wipe the cleaning wipe; Wait 2 to 3 minutes to let the product act; Remove excess moisture from the plastic tube of the device with a specific pump that aspirates the liquid; Clean the device with a cotton cloth, such as the eyeglass cleaner, to dry thoroughly.
This procedure should be done at least once a month and every time the patient feels he is not listening as well, as the tube of the device may be dirty with wax.
The cleaning of the intracanal device is done with the passage of a soft cloth on its surface, while to clean the sound outlet, the microphone opening and the ventilation channel, use the cleaning utensils provided, such as small brushes and wax filters.
How to change the battery
Generally, the batteries last 3 to 15 days, however, the replacement depends on the brand of the device and the battery, and the amount of daily use and, in most cases, the hearing aid gives an indication of when the battery is low, making a beep.
To change the battery, it is usually only necessary to bring a magnetic magnet close to remove the battery. After removing the used battery, it is necessary to fit a new, charged battery for the device to work properly.
