The loss of any of our senses can destroy our spirit. When we lose our ability to see, hear, smell, taste, or touch, we also lose our connection to the world around us. We become isolated, and our ability to interact with others and experience life diminish.
In the 1992 film Scent of a Woman, Al Pacino portrays a retired U.S. Army colonel named Frank Slade. Colonel Slade is a blind, bitter man who has lost his will to live.
Slade is first seen in the film when he is cared for by his niece, Karen. Although Karen is trying to help her uncle adjust to his new life without sight, it is clear that Slade is struggling. He is angry, depressed, and has little interest in anything.
Hearing loss can profoundly impact a person’s ability to communicate effectively. It can lead to difficulty maintaining relationships, social interactions, and community involvement. When people lose their hearing, they are often looking for ways to improve their ability to hear speech.
Thankfully, there are a variety of assistive devices and technology that can help people with hearing loss. A hearing aid is common, which can amplify sound and make it easier to hear, but how does it work? Let us learn more.
The Speech Banana
Before we discuss how a hearing aid works, let us learn more about our ears. The speech sounds are vital in helping the listener understand what we are saying. Many descriptive speech sounds occur in higher frequencies. It allows the listener to tell the difference between different words quickly.
For example, the sound “s” can be confused with “f”. However, if you hear the sound “s” in the higher frequencies, you can tell the difference between the two sounds.
The Speech Banana graph shows the relationship between different sound frequencies and how someone with hearing loss perceives them. The lower sounds are on the left side of the chart, and the higher sounds are on the right side. The right side of the graph also has a key that shows the degree of hearing loss, with better hearing at the top.
It means that any sound above a certain threshold will be perceived as quiet by someone with hearing loss. The yellow area in the middle of the graph is where speech sounds occur. The chart shows that even a mild loss in the higher frequencies can result in the loss of vital speech sounds.
Boosting Frequencies
We use a hearing test to determine how much amplification a person needs at each frequency to hear the speech again. This prescription is then used to adjust the hearing aid output at each frequency, giving the person back clarity and understanding.
When your hearing is corrected, you may notice new sounds you did not see before. These have always been there, but you may not have been able to hear them for a long time. You may listen to the water in the sink, clocks ticking, slippers on the carpet, and the rustle of your clothing. All these are natural and normal sounds are revealed when hearing loss is corrected.
Conclusion
Hearing aids improve your life in several ways. They can help you hear better, making communication easier and improving your quality of life. Hearing aids can also help you stay alert and safe by providing early warnings of potential dangers.
If you are considering a hearing aid, consult Country Hearing Care. We will give your life back by fitting you with a suitable hearing device. So, schedule an appointment now!
