Why donors must do more than doling out hearing aids

A hearing aid is basically an amplifier and the greater the damage the more severe the hearing loss and consequently the greater the hearing aid amplification needed.

There are, however, practical limits to the amount of amplification a hearing aid can provide.

If the inner ear is too damaged even large vibrations will not be converted into neural signs and a hearing aid will be of no practical use.

All hearing aids don’t work the same way and their functioning depends on the electronics fitted.

There are two types of electronics— analogue and digital.

Analogue aids convert the sound waves into electrical signals and are custom build to fit the needs of each user.

Analog technology is more basic and therefore more appropriate and cheaper for local use but these days an audiologist can programme the aid using a computer.

Digital aids can be specifically programmed to amplify some sounds more than the others and to focus on sounds coming from a certain direction and shut out all other static.

There are three basic styles of hearing aids which differ by size, their placement on or outside the ear and the degree to which they amplify the sound.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids have a hard plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to a plastic ear mould worn inside the ear.

The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear.

New type small open-fit BTE are fitted with a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal which enables the canal to remain open.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside the ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss.

Some ITE are fitted with a telecoil, a small magnetic coil that allows users to hear conversations over the telephone.

It also helps people hear in public facilities installed with special sound systems called induction loops.