This web site contains the results of research that I've done into hearing loss and hearing aids. I won't tell you what type of hearing aid that I settled on, because I don't want to influence your own decision. But I do hope that you find the basic information here useful.

 
Welcome To Hearology
Hearing Aid and Deafness Information

I was born with a severe hearing loss -- thanks to the German measles outbreak of 1964. I've worn hearing aids for more than thirty years and recently got into the market for another set. My current hearing aid is a fifteen years old in-the-ear model from Siemens. Before that, I had an over the ear model, and a set built into fake glasses. They all worked, to some extent, but I've always had a few complaints:
  • My old hearing aids are useless for holding a conversation in a crowd. They amplify background noise as much as they amplify the person I am trying to talk to. I might as well not be wearing them.
  • They often made me feel as though I had my head in a barrel. That echo is known as the occlusion effect.
  • Background noises that normal hearing people seem to block out become amazingly distracting. When I wear my older aid, refrigerator and computer fans drive me crazy.
  • I have to make constant adjustments to the volume, depending upon the hearing environment
  • Sudden loud noises -- amplified by the aid -- leave my ears ringing painfully.
  • Wind whistles through the earpiece, making the aids unwearable outdoors.
  • They make it difficult to tell what direction a sound is coming from.
  • They are ugly. They only came in cream (except the glasses -- they looked like a pair of Buddy Holly glasses) and they have no sense of style. My in-the-ear model looks like a used piece of chewing gum, and the behind the ear looks liek I've got a transistor radio hanging from my head.

Other than all of that, they work fine.

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Fortunately for me, in my research, I found that  technology has changed hearing aids like it has changed everything else Many models offer:
  • Digital channels and processing that allow you to focus on the person you are talking to.
  • Open architecture for the earpiece that reduces occlusion.
  • Filters to dampen background noises.
  • Automatic volume adjustment to prevent damage from loud noises.
  • Preprogrammed modes that adjust to the hearing conditions.
  • Wind noise reduction programs.
  • Digital processing that helps you zero in on a sound source.
  • Colors and sleek styles that make the hearing aid as much a fasion statement as eyeglasses have become I'm going to get mine in jet black. No more cream for me.