What is Different about Soft Hearing Aids?
In the past earmolds or earpieces were designed as a means of transporting sound from a hearing aid to an individual’s ear canal. These earmolds did the job they were designed to do but caused much discomfort. With advanced hearing aid technology, came the invention of soft hearing aids. Soft hearing aids are encased in flexible shells. Initially the electronic components of a hearing aid were placed in a hard and hollow hole. Now the same function can be accomplished by using a hearing aid with a soft, hollow shell. Soft hearing aids do have a hard outer portion but it gradually gets softer toward the inside tip. Not all manufacturers of hearing aids make soft hearing aids.
Years ago earmolds were made of hard materials like acrylic. These hearing aids caused discomfort if they didn’t fit properly. Later in-the-ear hearing aids were created in all different kinds. They were made to fit down into the ear canal as well as to fit into the entire outer part of the ear. Again, these hearing aids caused discomfort if not fitted properly. Often the hearing aid dispenser would be required to buff the earmold or even place the electronics into a whole new hearing aid. Also when these hard hearing aids did feel comfortable while the individual’s mouth was open, there would be problems when their mouth was closed.
Fortunately soft hearing aids have since been created. These soft hearing aids are intended to be comfortable and adjust better to the shape of an individual’s ear. However if hearing aids are too soft, people may have difficulties getting them in their ears properly. Once they are there though, individuals can enjoy the comfort of soft hearing aids as opposed to hard ones. For people with hearing loss, hearing aids are required all day, every day. It is important to be comfortable with something that is in such close contact. Hearing aids are meant to help an individual, not to cause them pain and discomfort. Wearing soft hearing aids would make this requirement much easier.
Since soft hearing aids are perhaps one of the newest inventions in hearing aid technology, to find a hearing aid dispenser who fits them and sells them may require some research. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about soft hearing aids, perhaps the first point of contact should be your hearing specialist. They should be capable of advising you regarding all hearing aids. Another great source for information and details relating to new technology in hearing aids is the Internet. By using a search engine such as Google or Yahoo and searching for soft hearing aids, you ought to be able to locate the answers you are looking for.
