It's very common in the elderly population for them to refuse to use hearing aids. It can be hard to admit when you need a little help, but it's nothing to be ashamed of. People of all ages are using hearing aids these days for many reasons.

What Are Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are small electronic devices that can sit in or around your ear to provide you with assistance when you are having trouble hearing properly. There are a few different types of hearing aids. Some will work better for certain people depending on their level of hearing loss and their preference. 

How Do Hearing Aids Work?

Hearing aids are made up of three main parts. 

Those parts include:

  • Microphone
  • Transmitter
  • Speaker

The microphone in the hearing aids picks up the sounds from around you and sends them through the transmitter and out the speaker in your ear. The transmitter amplifies the sounds for you to hear them louder and clearer. 

Why Do You Need Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are used to help with mild to severe hearing loss. Some people are born with poor hearing, while others develop hearing loss throughout their lives. 

Some causes of hearing loss can include:

  • Age
  • Ear infections
  • Wax buildup
  • Head trauma
  • Tumors

Some people can develop worse hearing loss than others. The type of hearing aid you use may depend on the level of hearing loss you experience. 

What Are the Types of Hearing Aids?

There are a few different types of hearing aids to choose from. Your doctor will help you figure out which one will work best for you. 

The types of hearing aids include:

  • In-the-ear hearing aids: These hearing aids can be custom-fit to your ear to ensure comfort. These usually sit in the outer part of the ear. These work best for mild to severe hearing loss. These will not be a good choice for children because they will have to be resized as their ears grow. 
  • Behind-the-ear hearing aids: These hearing aids can also be custom fit to your ear. These have a case that sits behind the ear and the speaker sits in the ear canal. These are good for almost any type of hearing loss. They're also a good fit for children. 
  • In-the-canal hearing aids: These hearing aids are small and barely visible in the ear. They sit inside the ear canal. Because these are so small, they offer a limited amount of power. Therefore, these will work best for mild to moderate hearing loss. 
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