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OTC Hearing Aids, PSAPS & More. What’s the Difference
So you’re thinking about hearing aids and you’re wondering which one is the best one for you, you may want to know more about over-the-counter hearing aids and PSAPS too? Hearing aids are devices that amplify sounds and help people with hearing loss hear better. They can be used to help people with a variety of hearing problems, including age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss, and more.
The two main types of hearing aids are PSAPS (Personal Sound Amplification Products) and traditional behind the ear models. PSAPS are smaller than traditional devices and typically offer fewer features but are less expensive. Traditional behind the ear models provide more features but can be bulkier because they do not fit entirely in the ear canal as well as PSAPS do.
Although an audiologist is the best person to speak to about your hearing loss to ensure that you get the best custom support, in this post we’re going to consider both options for you.
What is an Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid?
An over-the-counter hearing aid is a type of hearing device that does not require the involvement of a medical professional for fitting, adjustment or maintenance. OTC hearing aids are available without a prescription and can be bought from pharmacies, supermarkets and online retailers. They are typically more affordable than their custom-made counterparts but may not provide as good sound quality or comfort.
What are Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPS) and How Do They Work?
PSAPs over the counter devices that are used to treat a variety of conditions, which you do not need a prescription for. PSAPs are not a medical device, they will amplify sounds that you cannot hear, such as the television. They have also helped many people who experience anxiety, sleep disorders and depression.
Different Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in different shapes and sizes. They are also made from different materials. The type of hearing aid you choose will depend on the severity of your hearing loss, the size and shape of your ear canal and your budget. There are three main types of hearing aids: in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC).
ITE hearing aids are small in size and work by amplifying sounds through a tiny speaker inside the ear canal. They require a custom earmold to fit snugly in the outer bowl of your ear which is made by an audiologist based on impressions taken of your ears. BTE hearing aids sit behind the ear and have a plastic casing that fits snugly around the ear. It has a tube that comes out of the casing, called a tubing, which connects to the hearing aid in a speech processor.
ITC hearing aids are a discreet alternative to traditional hearing aids. They are worn in the ear canal and fit in the ear like an ITE. ITC hearing aids are discreet, so if you are looking for a hearing aid that is not noticeable, talk to your audiologist about ITC.
It is important for people with hearing loss to get a proper diagnosis by a professional who specializes in audiology before purchasing any type of hearing aid.
How Sound Processors for Hearing Loss Work?
People who experience hearing loss or have a hearing impairment use sound processors to help them hear better. The sound processor collects and amplifies sounds that come from the environment and transmits them to the person through earphones or an implant in their cochlea.
A sound processor is a device that detects sounds and converts them into electrical signals that can be heard by those with hearing loss. It does this by amplifying the frequencies of sound waves, which are then transmitted to the listener’s ear by means of an earpiece or directly into the auditory nerve through a cochlear implant.
Hearing Aid Maintenance and Care Tips to Help Keep Your Device in Tip-top Shape
Hearing aids require a lot of care to keep them in good shape. This is why it is important to know how to keep your hearing aid in good shape. It is essential to clean your hearing aid regularly. This might not seem like a big deal, but it can be the difference between a working device and one that doesn’t work at all. If you don’t clean the device, it will accumulate dirt and debris, which can cause corrosion and damage the circuitry within the hearing aid.
If you want to ensure that you have the best custom fit hearing aids for you or learn more about OTC hearing aids, speak to an audiologist at Adirondack Audiology by contacting us today at (888) 347-5899.
