Ask your audiologist...
Dr. Tia Flynn | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 8 months AGO
I am a golfer and every hearing aid I ever had amplifies the wind. Is there new hearing aid technology that can cut down the noise of the wind?
Unfortunately, most daily wear hearing aids amplify the wind when the wind blows across the microphone. Most hearing aids have a wind cover over the microphone, but it usually doesn't work as well as we would like it to.
However, there have been recent advancements in the newer high-end hearing aid technology that actually suppress the wind. One of the new features that is helping golfers hear in wind is a wind noise suppression system built into the circuitry of the hearing aid. Some of these aids have the ability to mildly or maximally suppress the wind.
I have had patients that purchased these hearing aids express their satisfaction with this new wind feature, saying they can actually have a conversation on the golf green when it is windy. Sometimes the brochures for hearing aids make features sound better than they really are, so I do not believe what is in them until a patient tells me it actually works.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a wind/golf program on a hearing aid, you should consult with an audiologist that can recommend one that has worked for others.
Another option is a deep insertion extended wear hearing aid that has the microphone tucked deep inside the ear canal, where wind is not as much of a problem.
Dr. Tia Flynn is a certified audiologist and has been in business for more than 14 years. Every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. Flynn provides free hearing screenings at 1601 Third St. in Coeur d'Alene. (208) 664-2767. Visit www.affordablehearinginc.com for a free copy of the consumers guide to hearing aids and watch helpful videos.
ARTICLES BY DR. TIA FLYNN
How long does it take to get hearing aids?
It depends on what style of hearing aid you are purchasing. If you are purchasing one of the new mini BTE’s (Behind the Ear) your hearing health care office may have some in stock that you may take home that day. There are generally two types of mini BTE’s. One is an open fit model, which has a selection of tubes, and tips that can usually fit anyone’s ear shape. The other type is a receiver in the canal, which also has a selection of receivers, and dome tips that can usually fit anyone’s ear shape. Some offices stock these types of aids but you usually have to special order the color that matches your hair.
About age-related hearing loss
Presbycusis is the medical term for age-related hearing loss. Causes of presbycusis include changes within the inner ear (damage to the tiny hair cells that pick up sound), changes in the middle ear (stiffening of the tympanic membrane and ossicles), complex changes along the nerve pathway leading to the brain, and cognitive changes in the brain.
Ask your audiologist: Free hearing help and repairs for the holidays!
Every holiday season I give back to the community by giving away a free pair of digital hearing aids to a deserving individual. I will also provide free in house repairs by appointment and bringing in a copy of this article. Everyone deserves to hear during the holidays! The holidays are usually the most important family gatherings of the year. Many people with hearing loss get left out of family conversations around the dinner table if they do not have hearing aids or if their hearing aid(s) are broken.