FAQ

• Behind-the-Ear (BTE): Worn behind the ear with a tube connecting to an ear mold inside the ear canal. Suitable for all ages and most types of hearing loss.

• In-the-Ear (ITE): Fits entirely inside the outer ear. Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.

• In-the-Canal (ITC) and Completely-in-Canal (CIC): Smaller devices that fit partially or completely inside the ear canal. Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss.

• Receiver-in-Canal (RIC): Similar to BTE but with the receiver placed inside the ear canal, connected by a thin wire. Offers good sound quality and discreet appearance.

Choosing the most suitable type of hearing aid should be done in consultation with a doctor or hearing specialist to ensure the device meets your specific needs.

Components of a Hearing Aid:

• Microphone: Captures external sound waves.

• Amplifier: Increases the strength of the sound signals.

• Receiver (Speaker): Converts the amplified signals back into sound waves.

• Battery: Powers the device.

• External casing: The outer shell that holds all components together.

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How a Hearing Aid Works:
After receiving external sound waves, the microphone converts these sounds into electrical signals. The amplifier then increases the strength of these signals according to the user’s hearing needs and settings. The receiver converts the amplified electrical signals back into sound waves and delivers them into the wearer’s ear.

A digital hearing aid, in addition to the three basic components, also has three fundamental factors: it has built-in precise tools that can process sound, address hearing loss at specific frequencies, and suppress unnecessary frequency ranges. This is called frequency compression. For example, it can amplify high-frequency sounds to help the user hear clearly, while loud low-frequency sounds are not amplified excessively. These functions cannot be performed by analog hearing aids. Moreover, most people with hearing loss tend to lose their high-frequency hearing, which is one of the reasons why digital hearing aids are very popular.

It depends on whether you have hearing loss in one ear or both ears. If you have hearing loss in both ears, it is recommended to use hearing aids for both ears because the brain can better localize the source of sounds by receiving input from both ears. Therefore, experts suggest wearing hearing aids in both ears to maintain balanced brain function in processing hearing and to prevent deterioration.

Convenient and easy to use – Rechargeable hearing aids do not require frequent battery changes. Simply place the hearing aids in the charging dock or connect the charging cable to recharge. Additionally, charging is faster than replacing batteries.

Energy-saving – Although rechargeable hearing aids may cost more initially than battery-operated ones, they save money on battery purchases in the long run. They also have power-saving modes to extend battery life and efficiently store energy for longer use. Moreover, they are environmentally friendly by reducing disposable battery waste.

Feature-rich – These hearing aids are equipped with advanced technologies such as wireless connectivity, smart sound adjustment, and personalized settings, providing a better hearing experience for you.

The lifespan of a hearing aid depends on how well it is cared for and used by the user. When the hearing aid starts to have problems or is in poor condition, repairs and replacement of parts should be considered to ensure it functions properly.

Digital hearing aids have excellent features such as sound adjustment to suit different environments and easier customization.

Analog hearing aids are cheaper than digital ones and are suitable for users who want a more affordable hearing aid without complex features.

Battery-powered hearing aids are easier and faster to use, and can operate continuously for 5–7 days. However, rechargeable hearing aids may need to be charged daily, depending on the user’s convenience and preference.

• Generally, hearing aids last about 3 to 5 years. The longer you use them, the more wear and tear they will experience. When you notice that your hearing aids are no longer performing as well as before, despite multiple repairs and adjustments, or if your hearing results have declined, you will be advised to replace your hearing aids.

Generally, this situation is more common for users of Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids because the microphone of BTE hearing aids is located behind the ear. When answering a call, you need to raise the phone slightly higher than usual and place the phone receiver on top of your ear so that the sound can enter the microphone directly for amplification. If the distance is too far, you may not hear clearly.

Alternatively, you can choose hearing aids with Bluetooth functionality, which can connect directly to your mobile phone via Bluetooth. This allows sound to be transmitted directly to your ear, so you don’t have to worry about the environment, and you can hear the phone sound clearly.

There can be several reasons why you still experience unclear hearing even when wearing hearing aids. Here are some possible causes:

1. Improper adjustment: Hearing aids need to be properly adjusted and customized to meet the individual’s hearing needs. If the amplified sound is not loud enough, it may not provide the best hearing improvement.

2. Background noise: In noisy environments, even people with normal hearing can have difficulty understanding speech when sounds are masked by noise. In such cases, hearing aids with advanced directional microphones and noise reduction features can help.

3. Poor speech discrimination: This means you can hear sounds but cannot clearly understand or distinguish the meaning. Hearing aids amplify sound so you can hear, but the brain processes and interprets the meaning. For people with long-term hearing loss, the brain may lose some speech processing ability due to prolonged silence. After using hearing aids, hearing may improve but clarity might still be a challenge. However, the brain is adaptable, and with regular hearing aid use, daily communication, and auditory training, speech clarity usually improves over time.

4. Adjustment period: It takes time to get used to new hearing aids because the auditory system needs to adapt to the new way of hearing input. Patience and practice are required to become accustomed to hearing aids initially. This adjustment process is part of progressive hearing aid use.

Digibionic offers special batteries for hearing aids, with different sizes available depending on the hearing aid model: sizes 10, 13, 312, and 675.

The price is 150 baht per pack, from the German brand Varta.

Since Digibionic has its own branded batteries, the prices are affordable and safe for use.

Since Digibionic hearing aid service centers provide professional one-on-one services, they aim to deliver complete, accurate, and thorough care, which can take some time. Therefore, it is recommended to make an appointment in advance if you wish to receive service.

Hearing tests before purchasing a hearing aid are necessary because using an inappropriate hearing aid can prevent the user from hearing effectively and may impact daily life. There is no cost for the hearing test.

People with hearing problems, which may be caused by age, usage habits of audio devices, and other factors such as working with machinery, external noise, and changes in the hearing system.

General hearing aids can be used all day, but it depends on the user’s comfort.