Hearing Aids are small devices that are used to amplify sounds. A microphone picks up sounds from the air and sends them to the amplifier, which makes the sounds louder. The amplifier then sends the louder sounds to the receiver, which gives out the amplified sound to the ear.

Behind the ear hearing aid

For some deaf people, hearing aids can allow them to hear some sounds. Results, however, vary significantly. A deaf person who still has some degree of hearing and has knowledge of spoken language may be able to better understand spoken language. Those with a very low degree of hearing and are pre-lingually deaf may only be able to hear general environmental sounds: a dog barking, a child screaming, etc.

There are four different kinds of hearing aids:

Body-worn - the size of mobile phones and are usually placed in a pocket with a cord that is inserted in the ear with an ear mold.

Behind-the-ear - small devices that are worn behind the ear with a tube that enters the ear canal

In-the-ear - smaller devices (about the size of a maize seed) that are placed inside of the ear.

Completely-in-canal - these are placed inside of the ear canal and are less easily seen since no parts actually come out of the ear.

Newer hearing aids use digital technology, which can improve sound quality. Analog hearing aids, however, are still cheaper and more common.

Children under 12 years old are not given the in-the-ear hearing aids because the ear canal is still growing and changing.

Things to remember when using a hearing aid:

Hearing aids amplify all sounds. This means background noise, such as the sounds of TVs and radios, can make it difficult for the user to understand and distinguish sounds.

Hearing aids will be uncomfortable initially and users need to be trained to listen and get used to sounds and speech.

The success of hearing aids depend on a wide range of factors, including a child's ability to hear, the child's desire to use hearing aids, appropriate training to make the best use of it, and regular maintenance.

Hearing aids should not be worn at night, should be regularly cleaned with a clean, dry cloth. They should not come into contact with water (when bathing or in the rain). The ear mold should be cleaned with hot water and soap once a week.

References:

Kenya Society for Deaf Children, pamphlet.