What Is a Digital Hearing Aid?

You may have noticed while browsing our website that we carry digital hearing aids. But do you know what they are? Do you know how a digital hearing aid differs from an older, analogue hearing aid? If not, we would like the opportunity to offer an explanation.

A digital hearing aid receives sound waves and, through computer technology, translates those sound waves into digital information that can be modified in any number of ways. Usually, the digital information is amplified before being passed on to the hearing aid’s speaker system. The advantage of digitisation is that it allows for amplification without any resulting distortion.

An analogue hearing aid processes sound waves as-is. In other words, there is no digital conversion. Sound waves are simply amplified by using an electronic device that increases the amplitude of the sound wave. While this technology was exciting in its day, it is no longer the best option in the 21^st century. Amplification with an analogue hearing aid leads to distortion and other problems.

If you are suffering any kind of hearing loss, you might benefit from a digital hearing aids. The only way to know for sure would be to have a hearing test conducted by a professional. We invite you to contact us to take advantage of our free hearing test offer. If our test reveals a problem that could be helped with a digital hearing aid, we will be more than happy to walk you through all your options.

Digital hearing aids have helped make hearing loss less of a problem than it used to be. Hopefully, future technologies will make how we treat hearing loss even better than it is now.

If you’re looking for some advice or help on your or a loved one’s hearing, call me today on 0141 345 2036.

Getting through the Festivities with Hearing Loss

 The festive season can be a stressful time of year for people suffering from hearing loss. Between all the social gatherings and religious services, not being able to hear can put a real damper on things. Unfortunately, hearing loss can be just as hard on family members as it is the person who actually suffers from it.

If you will be entertaining a family member or two with hearing problems in Glasgow this holiday season, here are some tips that will help you make the best of your gatherings:

• Face your loved one directly when speaking to him or her. Not only does this direct sound waves toward this person, but it also affords the opportunity to see your facial expressions and read your lips. 
• If you can, find a quiet and well-lit area to have your conversation. The less background noise, the easier it will be to talk. Adequate lighting will also help with facial expressions and lip reading. 
• Avoid shouting if your loved one can’t hear you. Shouting only distorts your words and annoys everyone else around you. 
• If your loved one doesn’t understand what you’re saying, try rephrasing your sentence. Don’t simply repeat it word-for-word. Sometimes people with hearing loss can identify some words but not others.
• Don’t simply drop the conversation because you’re having trouble communicating. This only serves to make your loved one feel ashamed, isolated, and uninterested in social interaction.  

Hearing loss can add unnecessary stress to the festive season. However, if you are willing to make an effort to accommodate your loved ones in conversation and other activities, things will be better for everyone.

If you’re looking for some advice or help on anything to with hearing, hearing test or hearing aids, call me today on 0141 345 2036.