
Hearing Aids
At Dallas ENT Group, we understand that hearing aids are essential for improving the quality of life for those with hearing loss. Our audiologist provides personalized care to help you find the perfect hearing aid tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're experiencing mild or severe hearing loss, we offer a variety of hearing aids to suit different lifestyles and preferences. ​
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​What is a hearing aid?
A hearing aid is a digital device designed to amplify sound and help individuals with hearing loss. It sits in or behind the ear and aids in transmitting sound to the hearing organ.
How does it work?
Hearing aids consist of microphones, a speaker, a battery, and a microchip. Sound enters through microphones, is processed by the microchip (customized to an individual’s hearing loss), and is sent through the speaker into the ear. The microchip can be adjusted by an audiologist to improve speech clarity and reduce background noise based on the user's specific hearing needs.
Will hearing aids make my hearing loss go away?
Hearing aids will help a person hear better, but they cannot cure or reverse hearing loss. They are designed to improve hearing by amplifying sound, but they do not heal the ear where the hearing loss has occurred. If our audiologist recommends hearing aids, it means your hearing loss cannot be treated through medical or surgical means and can only be managed with amplification.
Will hearing aids stop my hearing from getting worse?
Hearing aids do not prevent the progression of hearing loss. Your hearing can continue to decline due to aging (presbycusis), noise exposure, ototoxic medication use, and other factors. Hearing aids can, however, help you hear better when wearing the devices, even as your hearing gets worse.
Hearing Aids and Cognition
​Although hearing aids cannot stop hearing loss, they can help preserve the brain's ability to process sounds. Hearing involves both the ears and the brain; without regular auditory stimulation, the brain's ability to interpret sounds can decline. Early use of hearing aids is important to maintain this auditory processing ability.
Research shows that the longer our brains are deprived of sound, the harder it is for the brain to make sense of it, with or without hearing aids. By treating hearing loss early, we can slow the decline in sound processing by ensuring consistent auditory stimulation.
General cognition, on top of sound processing, can also decline from prolonged untreated hearing loss. The link between hearing loss and cognitive decline is arguably due to:
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Social Isolation - retreating from social situations due to the inability to hear.
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Cognitive Load - the brain uses more resources to compensate for the hearing deficit.
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Neurodegenerative Process - nerve cells in the brain slowly deteriorate, affecting memory and thinking.
Even without a consensus on the cause of the link between cognition and hearing loss, research has shown that using hearing aids to treat hearing loss early also reduces the effects of cognitive decline.
Do I have to wear them every day?
Yes, for the best results, it is important to wear your hearing aids daily. Consistent use helps provide the necessary auditory stimulation to your brain. Your audiologist will guide you on any specific situations where you might need to remove your hearing aids.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in various styles, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) models. The best style for you will be determined by your audiologist, based on your specific hearing loss and lifestyle needs.