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In recent years, devices that look like hearing aids have appeared on the market. Worse still, these devices, say their vendors, “improve hearing”. Ads for these products are almost everywhere: on TV, in the press, on the radio and on the Internet. We can even find them in popular supermarkets. However, these are not hearing aids but hearing amplifiers and can pose serious health risks.
Hearing amplifiers? Don’t take any chances
Hearing impaired people who search for information on the Internet often come across devices that pretend to be a hearing aid, but are not. Promoted as a cheap solution to the problem of hearing loss, they can actually make it worse. These are hearing amplifiers – products designed for people with no hearing loss in order to enhance the quiet sounds of the environment. Amplifiers can therefore be used by nature lovers to eavesdrop on animals in their natural habitat, but they will certainly not be suitable for people with hearing loss. The hearing impaired need amplification of the sounds individually for the hearing loss. Acoustic amplifiers do not have such possibilities. They have a single frequency response which means that all sounds in the devices are amplified the same. The hearing impaired hears better not only the desired speech sounds, but also background noise. Moreover, the lack of legal regulations concerning this type of devices means that they do not have circuits limiting the signal level at the output. What does this mean for the user? Sounds in excess of 130 dB SPL can reach his ear, which corresponds to the noise made by an airplane taking off. These sounds can reach the ear of the user when he increases the gain with the volume control until it reaches a level that is dangerous for the hearing – explains Andrzej Kapitan, the master of hearing prosthetics.
Due to the lack of safety requirements related to the maximum sound level, these products can cause permanent damage or deterioration of hearing. In addition, these products are characterized by a high level of self-noise generated by the devices themselves. This makes the amplifiers cumbersome to use after a short time.
Always choose a hearing aid
The hearing aid is a medical device, so it must meet the appropriate norms and standards and be registered with URPL (Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products). It is distributed by qualified hearing care professionals. So let’s not look for hearing aids in supermarkets, the Internet or mail order.
In addition, if we have a hearing problem, first, let’s go to a specialist who will test the hearing, check whether the hearing problems are temporary and exclude contraindications to wearing a prosthesis.
However, if we need a hearing aid, the hearing care professional will select and match the appropriate hearing aid on the basis of many information such as: the degree and type of hearing loss, past procedures and diseases, anatomy of the ear, the acoustic environment in which the patient resides and many others. Individual adjustment of the device to the user is crucial for the patient’s satisfaction with use. After adjusting the braces, the patient is provided with prosthetic care and support. Thanks to the classification of the hearing aid as a medical device, each insured person can obtain a refund from the National Health Fund.
Take care of your hearing wisely
Products that resemble hearing aids are most often purchased by the most vulnerable user group – the elderly and on a budget. Seeing a quick and cheap solution, they do not think about the consequences of using them. Hearing amplifiers are not medical devices and their purchase is not preceded by any diagnosis. Therefore, if you have a hearing problem, go to a specialist in the first place. However, when looking for a hearing aid, do not succumb to unknown sellers and the low price of the product. Report to a professional showroom and choose a camera tailored to your needs. For more information, call 81 446 58 60.