Question: How will I know if I need a hearing aid?
Answer: One way to tell if you have hearing loss is through hearing test. However, before consulting a doctor, you can also check for yourself if you have hearing loss. Here are some of its signs:
- Discomfort or pain in the ear
- Constantly asking others to repeat themselves when in a conversation
- Having difficulty following group conversations
- Often finding the need to increase the volume of the TV or radio
- Hearing something ringing or buzzing in the ear
Question: What are the types of hearing loss?
Answer: There are 3 types of hearing loss.
The first one is Conductive Hearing Loss, occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the ossicles of the middle ear.
Second is the Sensorineural Hearing Loss. This happens when the inner ear, or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain is damaged.
Lastly is the mixed hearing loss. This is the combination of both Conductive Hearing Loss and Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
Question: What are the causes of hearing loss?
Answer: It’s usually depends on the kind of hearing loss a person is experiencing. If the person is experiencing Sensorineural Hearing Loss, the reason might be the person has a serious ailment, have taken a drug the affects the ear, aging or ear trauma. While, Conductive Hearing Loss is caused by an ear infection, fluid in the middle ear caused by colds, allergies or foreign body in the ear.
Question: How can a hearing aid improve my hearing?
Answer: While hearing aids cannot restore a person’s capability to hear, it is designed to help people hear soft sounds that they could not hear before, and prevent loud sounds from becoming extra uncomfortable for them. Aside from that, hearing aids can also help understand their surroundings a lot better.
Question: What are the types of hearing aids?
Answer: The most common types of hearing aids are the following:
- Behind the ear (BTE) – These have an earmold that fits inside your ear, while the rest of it rests behind your ear.
- Completely in the canal (CIC) – These are much more than ITE hearing aids, making them less visible.
- In the ear (ITE) – These kind of hearing aid fits entirely into your ear. Either it is in a small compartment clipped to the earmold or inside the molded part itself.
- Receiver in the ear (RITE) – These are smaller than BTE. These kind of hearing aids are much easier to put in.
*HEARING AIDS*
No, a DREAM custom model has no available ear-level controls; it is accessed by remote control (RC-DEX or M-DEX) for program changes and volume control.
Is it possible to add a program button/volume control to CLEARE ITC/ITE?
No, a CLEAR custom model has no available ear-level controls; it is accessed by remote control (RC-DEX or M-DEX) for program changes and volume control.
Is the FASHION model available in the CLEAR family?
No, it is available on the DREAM family.
Can I fit a CLEAR with Widex CROS?
No, CROS can only fit in with DREAM wireless models only.
What’s the difference between VS and VS-D?
VS is only available wirelessly through the FM+DEX accessory while VS-D is Direct Audio input-compatible.
What’s the benefit of the Output Extender?
The Output Extender converted the modern RITE device easier by being able to meet the sound preferences of long-term BTE users.
What accessories are compatible with MENU?
RC4-1 and RC4-2 remote controls are compatible with the MENU family. Also, T-DEX for Bluetooth connection in MENU models equipped with telecoils.
Is there a RIC/RITE model in MENU?
No, MENU family is only available in custom and BTE models.
Is there any InterEar volume/program control available in mind?
No, there’s no InterEar capability in mind, that feature is available in Widex DREAM, CLEAR, and SUPER series instruments only.
What accessories are compatible with mind?
RC4-1 and RC4-2 remote controls are compatible with the MENU family. Also, T-DEX for Bluetooth connection in MENU models equipped with telecoils.
*FEATURES*
Can Audibility Extender be used for streaming to DEX?
Yes. It is possible with DREAM family. Just ensure that the the Audibility Extender feature in Master program is turned on.
Is a telecoil program needed for Phone+?
No, Phone+ can utilize the WidexLink wireless connection to transmit the phone signal from one hearing aid to the other, which gives binaural hearing on the telephone.
How do I access Phone+ from RC-DEX or M-DEX?
No, Phone+ cannot be accessed from the RC-Dex or M-Dex.
How do I designate which side is the phone ear in Phone+?
The user should designates the phone ear by a long press of the program button on the side they wish to hold the phone to; this way activates Phone+.
Can Zen be used on someone with normal hearing?
Yes, a normal hearing with tinnitus-sufferer may benefit from binaural devices with Zen.
How can Zen Noise be set for normal hearing?
Fit with an open tip but choose a non-open identity in Compass (flex). This will ensure Zen noise’s low frequency spectrum will be produced.
- Set the hearing loss to 5dB flat.
- Set the Zen noise intensity level as high as possible.
- In the Zen program settings deactivate the microphone by removing the check mark next to ‘Microphone’.
- Set the IGsoft gain as low as possible, as close to 0 for all frequencies.
- Provide the user with a remote control to make it possible to adjust the noise level to preference by changing the volume.
How do I fit Zen for a client with unilateral tinnitus?
Binaural Zen fitting is recommended even when unilateral tinnitus is reported. While tinnitus is an auditory perception that maybe localized in a particular area/side of the ear/s or middle of the head, the generators of tinnitus lie centrally in the brain.
My client reports the Zen Noise to be intermittent/pulsating
The risk with Zen noise is that the compressors in the hearing aid affects Zen noise as it is a soft input at the same time as the compressors are trying to use microphone squelch to reduce circuit noise levels. Due to this, it can results Zen noise pulsing or Zen noise being intermittent.
How long should it take for Zen to work?
There is no set timeline, however, it is recommended to have regularly scheduled follow-up appointments.
How loud are the Zen tones?
The volume of Zen depends upon the client’s hearing loss.