Hearing Aids: ITE, ITC, and BTE Types

My uncle has difficulty distinguishing speech at a distance of more than a couple of meters. He also has trouble following conversations in groups. For these reasons, he's wearing a hearing aid. His audiologist (hearing aid specialist) recommended the ITE (in the ear) hearing aid type after the test on his hearing disability revealed that it is a case of severe hearing loss.

It is estimated that about seventy-five percent of people with hearing loss don't wear a hearing aid. This is unfortunate since these people may, in all probability, suffer from increasing isolation and even depression. A hearing aid works by amplifying sounds; it can also aid in hearing high-pitched sounds if adjusted specifically for this purpose. With this device, a person may indeed feel that he or she has recovered his/her hearing, although the quality and tone of the sounds he/she hears are different. Audiologists point out, however, that a hearing aid does not have the capacity to clarify sounds; it merely increases their loudness. Additionally, it is not able to amplify selectively; with it, all sounds will go up in volume.

A hearing aid basically has five parts: a microphone that translates sound into electronic signals; an amplifier that augments these electronic signals; a speaker that transforms the signals to sound; a volume control; and a battery that supplies power to the device. Once the test on your hearing disability has been completed and a decision for you to get a hearing aid has been reached and agreed, your audiologist will then direct you to the type that will be most effective for your particular condition.

Three types of hearing aids are discussed here. The first one is mentioned in the beginning, again the type that my uncle wears. The ITE type, which fits in the ear's opening, provides a high-quality reproduction of high-pitched sounds while lessening the vexatious "wind" sounds. It, however, increases the risk of the shrill electronic feedback. One particular drawback of this device is that since it sits in the ear, it can become clogged with wax and need frequent cleaning. The ITE type of hearing aid is recommended for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.

The ITC (in the canal) type of hearing aid (or CIC, for completely in the canal) is the least obtrusive type. It is likewise the most popular as it is almost entirely invisible to the eye. Since this device rests closer to the eardrum, sound may be clearer. Its controls are difficult to reach though, and it takes good manual adroitness to get this device into the ear. The ITC type of hearing aid is designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

For people with profound hearing loss, the BTE (behind the ear) type of hearing aid is best. Most of the components in this device sit in a casing that is placed behind the ear. Apart from being the most reliable and least expensive type of hearing aid, this device may likewise offer the clearest and loudest sound. One disadvantage is that it is large and can be noticed easily.

Audiologists advise those who decide on getting a hearing aid to be prepared to be patient; they will need to spend time adjusting their device to conform to their specific requirements. If the device does not fit perfectly, or if it is not tuned precisely, the person wearing it may be overwhelmed by extraneous noises. [Read the Original Article]

The Numerous Beneficial Uses of Carbonized Rice Hull

Not too long ago, the sight of large heaps of rice hull (or rice husk) on or near some rice farms was common. It used to be that these piles were without much worth as uses for rice hull then were very limited. But with today's modern technology and farming techniques, that situation has completely changed.

Instead of ending up as mere wastes, rice hulls are now subjected to the process of carbonization to turn them into valuable commodities known as carbonized rice hull, or CRH. The process is carried out by burning rice hulls without oxidation so they are not turned into ash. The resulting CRH is now a very popular product in the farming industry for its many uses: as an enriching substance for farm soil, as an enhancer for seedlings' growth, as a growing medium for producing high-value crops, and as a perfect litter for brooding chicks.

During the preparation of land for rice planting, about 20 bags of CRH mixed with compost or organic fertilizer may be plowed in two-and-a-half acres of land. This will make the land more permeable and allow the soil to keep its moisture for a longer period. This is especially important in case of an unusually long rainless or dry period.

As a layer in seedbeds, CRH makes pulling out of the seedlings for transplanting virtually effortless. Because the seedlings' roots are not harmed or damaged during the pulling out process from the seedbeds, the seedlings naturally get settled in the field more easily. It has also been proven, over the course of several planting seasons, that CRH-enriched fields produce a high yield of healthy crops which means an equally high revenue for the growers.

Removed of its germinating capacity and being free from any disease elements, CRH is a better litter for brooding chicks than rice hull in its natural state. The ability of CRH to easily suck up moisture in the chicks' refuse prevents the litter from getting moist and becoming a potential breeding ground for flies and other similar disease-carrying, dipterous insects. Growers who use CRH for litter confirm that the chicks they raise grow faster, healthier, and do not vary much in size from one another. This is so because CRH effectively prevents the growth and subsequent multiplication of such organisms that are known to cause diarrhea and other respiratory ailments.

CRH may also be beneficial in growing ornamental plants. It can keep infections caused by parasitic organisms at a minimum. When mixed with compost, CRH is an ideal substance for the germination of high-priced ornamental plant seeds. [Read the Original Article]