Can Hearing Aids Really Reduce Background Noise?

Add comment August 9th, 2008

Can hearing instruments really help in background noise?  Yes, hearing instruments with directional microphones have been proven to reduce background noise.   Difficulty understanding speech in the presence of noise was the most commonly-reported problem by hearing impaired individuals.  Clinical studies show even mild amounts of hearing loss can affect one’s ability to communicate in background noise. Digital noise reduction makes hearing aids more comfortable to wear but directional microphones emphasize speech to the front of the wearer.  

Traditional microphones are used in almost all conventional hearing aids.  They pick up sounds from all around equally well regardless of origin. With directional microphones sound is selectively amplified. Sound waves coming from the front are enhanced, while sounds from behind are reduced.  This makes conversational speech is easier to hearand background noise is reduced.

  A clinical study conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, showed that every patient who wore hearing instruments with directional microphones could hear better in noise.  A MarkeTrak independent survey of hearing aid wearers: more than double satisfaction when listening in noise with directional microphones over conventional hearing systems.  It showed 9 out of 10 hearing aid wearers were satisfied or very satisfied with Directional Microphones.  At Professional Hearing & Audiology clinics we always include a no charge directional microphone demonstration with our complementary hearing tests to show the amazing difference directional microphones can make in your life.   

Spotlight on Hearing Loss Video

Add comment July 3rd, 2008

This is a great video on Hearing Loss from the Better Hearing Institute: 

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/17qPxILBhWM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Better hearing can improve the quality of your life.

Add comment May 30th, 2008

Fifteen years ago a hearing aid manufacturer had a slogan that said “Better Hearing is Better Living.”  The FDA said that they could not use that slogan because they could not prove that statement.  In the past 27 years I have personally seen the positive impact of better hearing on the lives of patients and their loved ones.  Since then many studies have proven that better hearing can improve the quality of life for the person with the hearing loss and those around them. 

Thirty One Million Americans have a significant hearing loss.  Hearing loss is one of the top three health related problems in the United States today. Only High Blood Pressure and Arthritis are more common.  Unlike the those other conditions only one person in five choose to do anything about their hearing loss.

The National Council on Aging conducted a study on hearing loss and how it affect the quality of life.

• 71% of people who wear hearing aids report an improvement in life overall
• 74% of hearing aid wearers report an improvement in relationships at home
• 67% of hearing aid wearers report an improvement in self-esteem

While those findings are significant the most incredible part of the study was that family members reported an average of a 15% greater benefit than the hearing aid wearer. 

Next time: “Can Hearing Aids Really Help in Noise?”

Donald R. Kleindl II BC, ACA, NBC, HIS, MCAP