General information
Hearing loss
When experiencing hearing loss, it’s natural to encounter a range of emotions. Hearing typically declines gradually with age, and many people face challenges such as echoes and background noise, which can lead to significant fatigue in social situations. It’s important to remember that all reactions are normal and that each person's experience is unique.
To preserve hearing function as much as possible, addressing hearing issues early is crucial. Starting with hearing aids can significantly improve quality of life and help alleviate the strain of hearing loss in daily life. We are here to support you throughout the entire process, from diagnosis to fitting and ongoing follow-up.
There are four different types of hearing loss:
High-Frequency Hearing Loss
This is the most common form of hearing loss. When hearing is reduced in the high-frequency range, it becomes difficult to perceive bright tones with high frequencies. It is easier to hear high-pitched, sharp voices than deep, bass voices, as consonants are less distinguishable in lower-pitched speech. Sounds like birdsong, the hum of a refrigerator, and ventilation noise may be lost. High-frequency hearing loss leads to challenges in hearing unvoiced consonants such as p, k, t, s, f, and h, making it harder to differentiate sounds in noisy environments, which impairs speech clarity.
Low-Frequency Hearing Loss
Low-frequency hearing loss is less common and involves difficulties in hearing tones with low frequencies, which are important for orienting ourselves in our surroundings. Challenges associated with low-frequency hearing loss include trouble hearing the fundamental tones of speech and understanding conversations in noisy environments.
Mid-Frequency Hearing Loss
When hearing is reduced in the mid-frequency range, it is referred to as coockie-bite hearing loss, due to the shape of the audiogram curve. It looks like someone took a bite out of the top of the audiogram. With mid-frequency hearing loss, hearing may be good at both low and high frequencies. The challenges include difficulties in perceiving speech in noise, ambient sounds, and generally poorer speech comprehension.
Flat Hearing Loss
In flat hearing loss, hearing is approximately equally reduced across all frequencies that are important for speech. The challenges vary depending on the extent of the loss, but they include impaired speech comprehension, difficulty hearing ambient sounds, and challenges in understanding speech in noisy environments.
Types of hearing aids
There is a wide range of hearing aids and ear mold solutions that can be customized to meet your unique needs. Today's technology offers more options than ever, including direct connectivity to mobile devices and app usage. We are here to help you find the best solution based on your hearing loss and preferences. Most modern hearing aid models come with convenient charging solutions, making them user-friendly and environmentally friendly.
We offer products from leading suppliers in the market, and at the bottom of the page, you'll find links to our partners, where you can learn more about the various options and access detailed information about the products they offer.
RIC/RITE/RIE (Receiver In The Ear)
This type of hearing aid is also placed behind the ear, but the speaker is located in the ear canal. This design makes the device less visible from behind the ear. The speaker can be equipped with either a dome or a custom ear mold, depending on the type of hearing loss and the shape of the ear canal. RIC/RITE/RIE hearing aids are the most commonly used type on the market. It is recommended that users have good motor skills and fingertip sensitivity for this type of device.
ITC/CIC (In The Canal/Completely In Canal)
This type of hearing aid houses all the technology inside a custom-fitted shell that fits within the ear canal. The size can vary based on the shape of the ear canal, the degree of hearing loss, streaming capabilities, and whether the model is rechargeable. These devices are not recommended for all ear canal types or hearing loss conditions, particularly in cases of narrow, twisted, or collapsed ear canals, eczema, excessive earwax production, or for those who have good hearing at low frequencies, as the sound may be perceived as "blocked." The advantage of this type of device is that there is nothing sitting behind the ears, which eliminates conflicts with hair or glasses.
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BTE (Behind The Ear)
This type of hearing aid is placed behind the ear and is connected to a thick tube with a custom ear mold or a thin tube that can have either a custom mold or a dome that fits into the ear canal. BTE devices provide the most sound amplification and are preferred by users with moderate to severe hearing loss. They are also a good option for individuals who have motor skill challenges or reduced sensitivity in their fingers.
Types of plugs
A summary of various earplug solutions for hearing aids that are placed behind the ears with custom earplugs or dome solutions inside the ear:
Generic plugs
These plugs are molded to the ear canal and the plug is universal and can be attached to all types of BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids from all suppliers.
RITE (Receiver in the ear) -plugs
These plugs are molded to the shape of the ear canal and are made specifically for each individual hearing aid supplier and type of hearing aid model.
Domes
Best suited for mild/moderate hearing loss and molding of the earcanal is not necessary.
They come in several sizes and levels of ventilation. These types of plugs have been the most common in recent years.
Noise Plugs and other plugs
Noise plugs are custom-made from an impression of your ear canal. You can choose filters with different levels of attenuation based on your needs. If you have a diagnosis of ME, you may apply to the assistive technology center for coverage of these plugs, but you must first try standard plugs. For this patient group, noise plugs should only be used during a transitional phase to acclimate to sound, as they are often sound-sensitive.
Noise plugs are ideal for:
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Concertgoers
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Students during celebrations (e.g., graduation) In Norway we call it «russetiden».
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Work and industry environments
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Motorcycling
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Hunting and shooting
Sleep Plugs
The level of attenuation varies from person to person depending on ear shape.
Swim Plugs
These plugs prevent water from entering the ears while swimming.
Monitors
Designed for professional musicians, technicians, and producers to achieve optimal sound clarity in music. They come in various models to meet different needs.
Communication & Intercom
Earplugs specifically tailored for use with communication systems to deliver sound directly to the ear. They are used by professionals such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and personnel in the nightlife industry.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a neurological phenomenon related to the sense of hearing. It is characterized by the perception of sound without an external sound source. The most common cause of tinnitus is damage to the sensory cells in the inner ear, leading to an imbalance in the interaction between auditory signals traveling up and down the auditory nerve. The auditory experience can vary significantly; it may be perceived as a tone, noise, or a pulsating sound with varying intensity. Approximately 10-15% of the population experiences tinnitus, with about 1 in 100 individuals severely affected. The following conditions are associated with tinnitus, often in combination with hearing loss:
Causes of Tinnitus:
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Noise-induced hearing loss
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Genetic hearing loss
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Age-related hearing decline
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Meniere's disease
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Head injuries
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Acute or chronic middle ear infections
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Earwax buildup
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Stiffening of the stapes bone in the middle ear
Information about tinnitus is sourced from the Oslo University Hospital website.
Additionally, many people experience tinnitus or heightened tinnitus in connection with stress, which can arise from job pressure, conflicts, bereavement, relationship breakdowns, lack of sleep, or muscular issues.