What is a hearing aid?

Hearing aids are available in different shapes, sizes and types. However, all hearing aids work in a similar way. They have a built-in microphone that picks up sound, which is processed electronically in the hearing aid. The resulting 'signals' are then passed on to a receiver (like a tiny loudspeaker) where they are converted back into louder sounds that you can hear.

In the UK, you can either get hearing aids free from the National Health Service or buy them privately from a registered hearing aid dispenser.

Why wear a hearing aid?

A hearing aid cannot give you perfect hearing but wearing a hearing aid will make a real difference to your quality of life. It should help you hear everyday sounds like the telephone and make it much easier to follow conversations with other people. As a result, your confidence in talking to people should improve. If you have tinnitus, you may hear it less with a hearing aid.

If your hearing loss is similar in both ears you might benefit from two hearing aids. Many people find two aids help them to tell where sounds are coming from.

What does a hearing aid do?

A hearing aid can:

However, it won't necessarily make sounds perfectly clear and you may still find it difficult to follow what people are saying in noisy places. Some hearing aids reduce certain background noises.

A hearing aid will not make your hearing worse. If you have tinnitus - hissing, buzzing or other noise in your ears or head - you may hear it less with a hearing aid.

What else can you do to help yourself? 

As well as listening, most people find it helpful to watch people's faces and lipread when in conversation. Everybody lipreads to some extent, especially in noisy places. Gestures and expressions are an important part of communicating. When you are struggling with your hearing, you may rely more on noticing people's body language and gestures. This can be helpful even once you have a hearing aid.

Further information

Find out more in our leaflet "All about hearing aids".