Ask the Audiologist

Q: Is it true that there are completely invisible hearing aids that can be worn 24 hour a day seven day a week and are they safe and effective?

Posted

A: The answers to your questions is: yes, but with some qualifications.

Traditionally, one of the main reasons people with hearing difficulties have been reluctant to consider hearing aids has been that they are concerned about how they will look. I have had patients over 90 years old who were having severe hearing difficulty- tell me they did not want to wear hearing aids because they were afraid it might make them look old.

Fortunately, today there are a number of options that there are a number of option that allow individuals to enjoy better hearing. Many of our patients use hearing aids that fit so deeply in the ear canal that they actually cannot be seen. Others wear tiny hearing aids behind the ear that cannot be seen because they are lodged between their ear and their head and covered by their hair. All of these types of hearing aids are in the “daily wear” category. This means that they are meant to be worn during most of your waking hours but to be removed for showering and sleeping. They may last an average of 4- 5 years but they need periodic replacement of batteries, cleaning, and occasional repair.

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