Hearing Aid Basics: What Easley Patients Should Know Before Choosing

Imagine talking to a friend in a noisy and crowded cafe. They’re telling you a story, but you don’t seem to catch on. You ask them to repeat themselves and if they could make their voice louder. Only then do you hear them properly and laugh just at the right moments. At the back of your mind, you’re thinking if there’s something wrong with your ears.

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), more than 50 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. Additionally, hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the country, twice as prevalent as diabetes or cancer.

When you can’t hear well, it impacts your ability to communicate, concentrate, and form relationships with other people. This can potentially impact your mental health in the long run.

The good news is, hearing aids may help many people improve their ability to hear and communicate, depending on the cause and severity of hearing loss.

👂Hearing Aids in Easley, SC: What You Should Know

Hearing aids are wearable, assistive medical devices designed to amplify sound, improving a person’s ability to hear and communicate with others. While such digital hearing devices can’t restore natural hearing to its previous state, they can improve the ability to hear and communicate more effectively, but they do not cure or restore natural hearing.

❓How it works

Hearing aids work differently based on the type, but generally, here’s how they work and the basic parts responsible:

1. A microphone picks up sound from the environment
2. These sound waves are then converted into electrical signals
3. An amplifier receives these signals, making them louder, amplifying the sound
4. The amplifier sends the boosted sound to the ear via a tiny speaker or a receiver

Some hearing aids have replaceable batteries, while some use rechargeable ones.

❓The types of hearing aids

There are three basic types and styles of hearing aids:

✔️Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

• Consists of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear, connected to a plastic earmold worn inside the outer ear
• Commonly used by people of all ages to address mild to profound hearing loss

✔️In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

• Commonly used for mild to severe hearing loss
• Worn completely inside the outer ear

✔️Canal hearing aids

• Fits into the ear canal and are among the smallest and most discreet styles available
• Commonly used to address mild to moderate hearing loss

🔍Do You Need Hearing Aids? Signs Easley, SC, Residents Shouldn’t Ignore

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are serious, you’re not alone. Many people wait years before seeking help — but early testing may offer options you hadn’t considered. Here are some signs to look out for:

⭕You often ask people to repeat themselves.

⭕You can’t hear clearly in noisy environments.

⭕You find it difficult to hear or understand someone when they’re out of sight.

⭕You struggle to follow conversations in group settings or public gatherings.

⭕You tend to keep the volume of your television, radio, or phone higher than most people do.

⭕You have tinnitus, or a ringing in your ears, without a physical source.

➕Why a Consultation and Hearing Test in Easley Is Important

Hearing loss is something that develops gradually, and many people don’t recognize the early signs before it’s too late. Regular hearing tests can help with the early detection of hearing loss, which allows for timely intervention.

Your primary care provider may use a general screening test to check your hearing. If the test shows a hearing problem, they may refer you to a specialist:

• An audiologist is a healthcare professional trained to test hearing, diagnose hearing loss, and prescribe hearing devices and services to improve hearing.
• An otolaryngologist (or ENT specialist) is a healthcare provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck.

Comprehensive Hearing Care at Easley ENT

Here at Easley ENT, we acknowledge that every patient’s hearing needs are unique. Our team works closely with our patients in Easley and nearby South Carolina communities to diagnose hearing loss and custom-fit hearing solutions. We recommend hearing aids based on each patient’s unique hearing profile and lifestyle needs.

If you’re on the lookout for an audiologist, Easley, SC, residents can consider scheduling an appointment with one of our specialists for a personalized hearing evaluation and consultation.