Saturday, December 30, 2006

Why Use Organic Whole Food Vitamin Supplement

Due to a hectic lifestyle, many today don’t have time for a healthy and balanced diet. The daily ratio of vitamins necessary for keeping healthy fails due to processed foods. An organic whole food supplement can significantly improve our state of health given the highly polluted environment we live in and all the unhealthy food we consume.

Increase Your Organic Whole Food Vitamin Supplement Intake:

Very few people follow a correct diet in modern society and have six to eight servings of whole food such as grains, seeds, nuts and vegetables everyday. Consuming processed food and taking synthetic vitamins to supplement your diet seems like the current trend. To ensure a blanced diet this is not the best way and it can have bad long term effects on your health.

Instead it is a good idea to increase your daily intake of organic whole food vitamin supplement. A good way of completing your diet with natural vitamins, enzymes and minerals is to eat vitamin and mineral rich food such as nuts, whole grains and seeds Vitamins Diary.

Synthetic Vitamins Vs Organic Whole Food Vitamin Supplements:

Synthetic ingredients are used to make most vitamin supplements that you purchase today. Most of these products have chemical substances that have been produced in laboratories to fake the molecular structure of natural vitamins.

Absorbing nutritional substances from food is the way our bodies are built. Organic whole food vitamin supplement is therefore recommended by most health care professionals and taking your daily vitamins from whole food is better than synthetic supplements.

Earth Minerals Vs Homeopathic Minerals:

Minerals such as calcium carbonate, calcium citrate and other derivates that are derived from sea shells, rocks or coral are used in commercial supplements that are aimed at increasing your vitamin and mineral intake. A mineral rich food source on the other hand is contained in organic whole food vitamin supplements along with homeopathic mineral ingredients. These types of vitamins can be assimilated and absorbed more easily by your body.

The Benefits of Organic Whole Food Vitamin Supplements:

There are seven primary benefits to taking an organic whole food vitamin supplement. Consider these benefits and then decide whether or not you want to take them.

· There is no synthetic or isolate ingredients in organic whole food vitamin supplements · Only complete whole food vitamins is contained in them. · There are no sea shell, rock or coral derived minerals in these supplements. · Homeopathic minerals are included in organic whole food vitamin supplements. · Seeds, nuts and grains help increase the intake of whole foods. · Chemical, additive or synthetic ingredients are not found in organic whole food vitamin supplements. · Many organic while food vitamin supplements contain lacto-vegetarian formulas.

In ensuring a healthy diet and prevent vitamin deficiencies, an organic whole food vitamin supplement can be very effective with all the symptoms that come along Online Menerals Information.

Eczema Treatment Advances with New Desensitization Methods

Although 80 percent of eczema is a reaction to chemicals that would irritate anyone, the remaining 20 percent is caused by a specific sensitivity to something which may not be a problem for others - an allergic reaction. The reaction could be to something either in the diet or the individual's environment. Thousands of doctors now recommend shielding lotion as topical eczema treatment, but for those who do suffer from allergies, new desensitization techniques may also be beneficial.

The most common allergy diagnosis and treatment for eczema involves testing for sensitivities by subcutaneous injection of a small amount of potential offending substances, watching for a reaction, then avoidance of or desensitization to the substances found to cause a reaction.

Desensitization, also known as hyposensitization, has traditionally been accomplished by injecting increasingly larger amounts of the allergen in the hopes that the person will build up a tolerance. It takes up to six months to have any positive response at all and treatment can continue for three to five years. It is expensive and unreliable, and is done only as a last resort in severe situations. Those undergoing desensitization for eczema treatment can spend a lot of time and money for little or no results.

However, there are new desensitization methods now available that make this a viable option. Nambudripads Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET) is one of the most common, although not necessary the fastest. Most involve a form of muscle testing - the practitioner exposes you to the substance without injections and, gauging by changes in muscle strength during exposure, determines whether there is a reaction. Several substances can be tested this way in just a few minutes.

Desensitization techniques vary, but don't involve needles and sometimes don't take any longer than the diagnosis. These methods are light years ahead of traditional desensitization and, for those who suffer from allergies, can't be beat. It completely eliminates years of expensive trial and error. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of these methods as eczema treatment. They seem to work much better for some than others, but anecdotal evidence indicates that they are at least as effective as traditional desensitization, and possibly more.

As topical eczema treatment, regardless of the cause of the problem, a shielding lotion is the most advanced technology available. A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective layer that keeps out the chemicals. Again, this is light years ahead of steroid drugs and irritating chemical treatments and, for those without allergies, it may be all the eczema treatment needed. However, if you suffer from allergies, you may want to find a natural health care practitioner to also discuss desensitization.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Treatments for Hair Loss for Chemotherapy

An inevitable side effect is hair loss for chemotherapy. You whole body feels the presence of this treatment in one way or another because it is so powerful.

Chemotherapy and the Way it’s administered Chemotherapy is a treatment done using drugs to kill cancerous cells. Typically the drugs are injected directly into the vein or muscle tissue, however some other chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally. The drugs are allowed to flow through the bloodstream covering all parts of the body because chemotherapy treatment is systematic.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy Treatment The type of the drug administered to the patient causes certain side effects. The cells that divide rapidly are typically affected by these drugs which includes blood cells whose main job is to fight infection, help the blood to clot or carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Cancer patients tend to catch infections as the blood cells get affected, they also tend to bleed easily and experience fatigue. Victims of cancer drugs are also the cells that line the digestive tract since they divide rapidly. Nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and mouth sores are other side effects. The reason of hair loss for chemotherapy treatment is poor nutrition. Depending on the chemotherapy drug there many only be a thinning of hair without great hair loss while others will cause total hair loss all over the body. The hair loss for chemotherapy can be a very hard blow for patients since this is a clear visible effect that can make them stand out in a crowd. Even before you have any hair loss this is one reason why you should try and face this possibility. The cause of depression in cancer patients who cannot deal with the helplessness of the situation is often hair loss for chemotherapy. This is a clear mark of the deadly disease so it is not very easy for the relatives and friends of the patient. Since hair is a part of the pride and joy for a woman’s personality it is often worse for women then men. Cancer is difficult to deal with and the horrible side effects like hair loss for chemotherapy. However, you should get hope and strength to fight by knowing that these cancerous diseases can be treated.

Conclusion The way to deal with such hard tasks in our lives should be one day at a time. Whatever the situation you should never lose hope. The mind and body can be helped to fight against all odds by positive thinking.

Acne Scars

Scarring is an inevitable outcome of significant skin inflammation. The deeper the scars, the longer it takes to completely remove them. Acne scars are caused by either increased tissue formation or loss of tissue. The best possible means for prevention of acne scars can be its early and complete treatment.

The selection of the method for acne scar treatment depends mainly on the morphology of the scar. Dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, punch excision, subcision, skin grafting, dermal filler, and chemical peels are the commonly used scar treatment methods.

Dermabrasion involves the cutting down of the normal skin with a power-driven hand piece to make the scar look less pitted. Its use has decreased because of the associated risk of blood-borne diseases with it. Also, it fails as a therapy for all kinds of scars. Microdermabrasion is a new technique which achieves surface skin removal for acne treatment by making use of aluminum oxide crystals passing through a vacuum tube. This option for acne treatment holds the advantage of causing no additional wounds.

The technique of laser resurfacing holds the benefit of being more precise, safer, controlled and less operator dependent than dermabrasion technique. Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used depending upon the desired results. The carbon dioxide laser that emits light at a wavelength of 10,600 nanometer (nm) may be used to actually remove the tissue. The laser treatment has the requirement of a local or general anesthetic and potential of causing both bacterial and viral infection. The other disadvantages are its possible inability to remove very-deep scarring and causing further scarring (rare). This procedure cannot be used for hypertrophic and keloid scars.

The punch excision method makes use of a punch tool to excise the scar and thereby remove ice-pick scars. The procedure of subcision makes use of a surgical probe to detach the scar from deeper tissues and thereby elevate a depressed scar.

The method of skin grafting which implants a small piece of skin into the scar site helps treat pitted scar. Dermal fillers, a non-surgical procedure, are a means of supplementing the skin’s collagen to help treat scars.

During the chemical peel procedure, the top layers of the skin are treated with a chemical solution, most commonly alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid. Chemical peel solutions help to unblock the pores, open the blackheads and whiteheads, and stimulate dermal regeneration.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Vitamin E Side Effects

The medical dictionary defines a side effect as a peripheral or secondary effect, especially an undesirable side effect of a drug or therapy. Vitamin E, taken from food sources alone, doesn’t have any documented evidence of any side effects. But vitamin E as a supplement has potential side effects when it interacts with other medications or any other conditions.

Some of the common side effects that may occur due to vitamin E intake are allergic experiences like breathing difficulty, closing of the throat, and swelling of the lips, tongue or face. Some of the less serious side effects are fatigue, weakness, headache, nausea, blurred vision and diarrhea. Usually these side effects stop after stopping the vitamin E intake.

When a vitamin E supplement is taken with other medications for other diseases, there are interactions that are harmful. Vitamin E is known to cause increased risk of hemorrhage in those individuals who take worfin for anticoagulation or those who are deficient in vitamin K. Contradictory results emerge from studies on potential interactions between a combination of antioxidant supplementation (vitamin C, E, selenium and beta-carotene) and cholesterol-lowering agents. A three-year, randomized, controlled trial shows decreased effects of cholesterol-lowering agents and another five-year study shows no effect by the same antioxidant combination.

Vitamin E inhibits the uptake by cells of the antidepressant drug desimpramine, antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine, beta-blockers for high blood pressure and the anti-malarial drug chloroquine.

Increased gamma-tocopherol levels in the blood are associated with a reduced risk of developing prostrate cancer. Vitamin E, when taken in the form of an alpha-tocopherol supplement may lower gamma-tocopherol levels in the blood.

The condition under which the supplement is taken has a significant side effect. When oxidative stress is mild and when vitamin E containing tocopherols is taken alone without other antioxidants like vitamin C, it acts as a pro-oxidant rather than antioxidant because of less generation of free radicals under mild oxidative stress and the absence of vitamin C to neutralize the tocopherol radical. Hence, vitamin E should be taken along with other antioxidants.

The Physical And Psychological Effects of Adult Acne

During the past several years there has been the general belief that acne is a skin disorder that affects only teens. In part, it is true that this skin problem is most common among teens and that's the reason why acne has been associated with teens for many years. However, the perception that this skin condition would go away when one reached adulthood is not the case any more.

There are many adults who have had acne as teens and are no longer afflicted by it. However, there is a great number of adult people who are battling acne too. It's a fact, while teens do make up a large percentage of the acne-suffering population, it is also more common in adults than one might think.

The Physical Effects Caused By Adult Acne

Perhaps the worst physical consequence that acne can bring to adults (and to all people who suffer from this skin problem in general) is the scarring it can leave. Scars make it really difficult to cope with acne. The main reason why this is so is because aging skin is thinner, and as such its recovery capacity is much more lower that than of teens. This might not be as much a concern for many young adults however, as the skin ages the consequences by acne can be more devastating. In the worst-case scenario, prolonged acne could produce deeper scars. And this undoubtedly will play a very significant role in how one is physically perceived.

The Psychological Effects Caused By Adult Acne

Besides its physical effects, perhaps the most negative effects that acne causes in adults are its psychological effects, which can be long-lasting and cause serious problems. Just like teens, adults who suffer from acne often become the victims of anxiety and depression. The problem is that acne makes them feel more sensitive to what other people around them might think of them and how they are perceived. But unlike teens, these psychological effects can be more harmful in adults because many feel they shouldn't be suffering from a skin problem that should have cleared up since long ago, or shouldn't even have hit them in their adulthood at all! The worst consequence caused by acne in adults in the end is lowering their self-esteem. With a very low self-esteem, many adults are often forced to stay away from attending any type of social event to avoid placing themselves in a situation where they might feel inferior.

Treating Adult Acne - Is There Hope?

Fortunately, nowadays there are numerous treatments available to treat adult acne both over-the-counter and prescribed. In order to have the best results, it is generally advised to learn about the cause, symptoms and type of your acne before the right treatment can be recommended. Once this is done, it becomes easier to control this condition. With the right treatment, you can begin a really great skin care regimen that will take the place of any harsh, aggressive, and sometimes even dangerous treatment that you might be tempted to use.

Treating adult acne as soon as possible is the best thing to do. It does not matter what type of acne form you have, it is crucial to look for treatment. And although the results might not come for some time, you'll be taking the most important step towards recovery - taking action!

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia Gordonii is one of the twenty types of Hoodia plants that grow in Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa. They are succulent and belong to the family of Aselepiadaceae. Although they look like a cactii they are not.

Hoodia gordonii has a unique property, that blocks the sense of hunger and makes you feel full. The San tribe of the Kalahari Desert eats this plant when they go on a long hunting trip to prevent hunger and thirst.

CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) Institute of South Africa investigated this property of the plant and isolated the active ingredient that caused it and named it P 57. This is a long molecule that imitates glucose, but about 10,000 times more so. Its presence makes the hypothalamus, a part of the brain, to fire nerve cells to give a feeling of full stomach. CSIR naturally realized the great potential of P 57 as help in weight loss programs. They patented P 57 as a weight loss drug and sold the rights to a Cambridgeshire pharmaceutical company in U.K named Phytopharm.

Phytopharm tied up with Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical company of America to develop P 57 synthetically and do the marketing. Pfizer after spending tens of millions of dollars has opted out of the deal. They concluded that it is not economically viable to produce P 57 synthetically.

Meanwhile Phytopharm conducted many trials with the Hoodia plant as a weight loss medicine. In a double blind study, they showed that Hoodia powder administered at 400mg a day for 15 days reduced the calorie intake by 1000 calories compared to the control group.

As the attempt to make synthetic P 57 is given up, Phytopharm is tied with plantation companies in South Africa to cultivate Hoodia. It takes about five to seven years for the plant to be ready. They have promised to put Hoodia Gordonii weight loss medication on the supermarket shelf by 2008. There are three or more other companies, which manufacture a range of products containing Hoodia using imports of Hoodia from naturally grown plants of the Kalahari Desert.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a dreadful and life-threatening cancer, caused by continuous and long exposure to asbestos. It is a tumor that affects the lining of the abdomen that protects the contents of the abdomen and provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.

Presently there are few treatments, but no specific known cure, for peritoneal mesothelioma. However, the options for relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma have improved tremendously with ongoing research, especially if the cancer is diagnosed early and treated vigorously. Specific types of treatment include traditional chemotherapy: This traditional approach uses special anti-cancer (cytotoxic) medicines and chemicals to try to kill the malignant cells. Often, it is offered as an additional therapy alongside radical surgery or in combination with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, particularly when the cancer has spread beyond an operable area. The chemotherapeutic agents can be administered by mouth in tablet form or intravenously via needle into a vein or a muscle.

Another treatment option is surgery. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma entails cutting out part of the affected lining and tissue from the abdomen in order to remove the tumor. Whether or not surgery is performed and how much tissue is removed depends on how far the cancer has spread and how big the tumor is. Sometimes it becomes necessary to remove a lung or part of the diaphragm in order for surgery to succeed in removal of the tumor.

Yet another option is radiation therapy. In radiation therapy, high energy x-rays are used to shrink tumors and kill off cancerous cells in the affected area. There are two ways to administer radiation therapy, either externally where a machine is placed outside the body and emits radiation through the body, or through plastic tubes that enable radiation to be placed directly to the affected area.

There are also clinical trials and various experimental treatments, like gene therapy and immunotherapy, and antiangiogenesis drugs for the treatment of this life-threatening cancer. Research is being done vigorously, and doctors are continuously striving to achieve success in curing this disease so as to ensure that no one else falls prey to this dangerous cancer.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos, being regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, HHAG, and EPA, falls on the Hazardous substance list. Also, because of the associated carcinogenic effect, it falls on the Special Health Hazard Substance List. Workplace Exposure limits for Asbestos fibers longer than 5 micrometers have been set. It should, however, be considered that Asbestos, being a carcinogen in humans, has no safe level of Exposure. The crucial steps to minimize Asbestos Exposure to workers and their family members include establishment of a regulated, marked area for handling and storage of asbestos, preference for enclosed operations and use of local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Other important steps for control include the wearing of protective work clothing, communicating all information on the hazards of asbestos, and washing thoroughly before leaving a regulated area and at the end of the work shift.

However, even by adhering to the workplace Exposure limits and to all crucial ways for reducing Asbestos Exposure, it is probable to develop Asbestos-induced health ailments. This needs to be consulted and resolved by a medical practitioner specialized in diseases induced by Asbestos Exposure.

The toxic effects induced by Asbestos inhalation include desquamating alveolitis, bronchiolitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Other more serious health ailments caused by Asbestos Exposure include pleural effusion, pleural plaques, pleural calcification, and mesothelioma (a highly malignant disease).

The toxicity induced by Asbestos also finds its place in the relatives of the workers exposed to it. This is mainly due to the presence of Asbestos fibers in the clothes of the Asbestos workers. These contaminated clothes, too, require safe measures for cleaning or disposal. Because of the capacity of Asbestos to cause potential hazards to health, its use has been banned in many industries.

Are Natural Skin Care Products With Pomegranates a Good Choice?

If you've been watching women's television or checking for new skin care products on the shelves, you may have heard of pomegranates as the latest and greatest ingredient. With such a huge number of natural skin care products being promoted as containing the 'magic' ingredient that will get rid of wrinkles and restore that youthful look, it would be helpful to know more about pomegranates before you run down to the store and empty your wallet. Do pomegranates really have something so special to offer that you should make them a staple in your natural skin care larder?

Although pomegranates have been used for centuries in natural medicine in many parts of the world, we are only recently seeing it on the shelves here in the U.S. Hundreds of studies have been conducted on the pomegranate's healing power and, yes, the results are outstanding.

Pomegranate juice lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, improves cardiovascular function and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. It also enhances fertility, reduces the symptoms of menopause and has even been effective at slowing the spread of cancer cells. A recent study conducted by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) showed that a daily glass of pomegranate juice slowed the growth rate of prostate cancer.

In addition to the many studies conducted on its internal use, new research has also proven it to be effective for topical natural skin care and we now have a few creams, lotions, cleansing products, masques available.

How do pomegranates benefit the skin? High in Vitamins A, C and E, the real magic is in its antioxidant content - no surprise really; the damage inflicted by free radicals is now well-known and acknowledged even by the most conservative in the medical establishment. The pomegranate's antioxidant content is very high, making it a shoo-in for natural skin care.

Dry skin, problem skin, aging skin, wrinkles - all can benefit from the pomegranate. It fights free radicals and stimulates the growth of collagen - vital for damaged, dry skin and tissue of any kind, and especially noticeable in its absence in the aging and wrinkled face.

If you don't have cleansers and exfoliating products that are working for you now or you would like to switch to the healthier alternative of natural skin care, by all means give the pomegranate a try. While you're at it, pick up a bottle of the juice. Internal and external natural skin care will increase your chances of deriving all the benefits.

Monday, December 25, 2006

Scientists Say New Wine May be Effective Eczema Treatment

Germans scientists have turned their talents to the worldepicurean delight, will apparently help improve eczema. While we can't vouch for its success at your next dinner party, we can appreciate its benefits to the skin - although a shielding lotion may be a more appropriate external eczema treatment.

What does seaweed have to offer? It has long been considered a 'super food' - fat-free, low calorie, and full of vital minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine and sodium. In fact, some seaweed contains those minerals in the same ratios and concentrations found in human blood.

In addition to nourishing the body, one of the most important health benefits of seaweed is its ability to remove radioactive strontium and other heavy metals from the body. Whole brown seaweed, such as is used in seaweed wine, contains alginic acid which binds with the toxins in the intestines and carries them out of the system - preventing them from being eliminated through the skin, as is the case with eczema flare-ups.

If you don't fancy the wine, you might try adding seaweed to your diet in other forms. It can be found in most health food stores, or those that sell ingredients for Japanese food. You can add strips of it to soup, use it to make a soup broth, or eat it dried as a snack. The red algae seaweed, such as nori, agar-agar, and Irish moss are also very good for you. Nori is the seaweed used to wrap sushi, but Gaelic people also mix it with flour to make bread. Agar-agar is a gel used as a base in many Japanese desserts, and dried Irish moss is most often used in relishes, breads, soups and fritters.

In addition to shoring up your diet with seaweed and other healthy foods, the skin also requires protection from harsh chemicals and other external toxins if you want to avoid eczema flare-ups. Hundreds of dermatologists are now recommending a good shielding lotion as an effective external eczema treatment, although, who knows, if seaweed wine gets really popular we may soon be shopping for our body care products at the local vineyard.

Mangosteen Supplements

Dietary supplements made from mangosteen are usually taken more for holistic health, rather than - in the case of mangosteen pills - to address any specific medical problems. The former approach may have far more validity than the latter. The curative properties of mangosteen as medicine are far from proven, but supplements made from it are definitely beneficial.

The best mangosteen supplements are manufactured from the peel, hull and pulp of the fruit. In these, the ratio is usually something like 40% fruit pulp/60% pureed pulp and hull. (The pulp by itself tastes great and has its own dietary advantages.) The label should confirm that peel and hull (pericarp) are present in the supplement.

Liquid mangosteen supplements are ideally ingested in amount varying from 30 ml to 90 ml per day. The daily intake should be spread over the day rather than taken as a single dose. Care should be taken that the chosen brand does not contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives or stabilizing agents, since these can negate the desirable effects of the supplement.

Various regimens are now available, including combinations of mangosteen juice and pericarp capsules. The problem however seems to be that most users seem to expect these supplements to have some miraculous curative powers, rather than seeing them for what they are – excellent adjunctive therapy. Doctors confirm that mangosteen supplements give support to most organs in the body and boost the immune system. Many medical practitioners prescribe it as a complement to traditional medications.

Mangosteen dietary supplements were first introduced on the American market in 2002, by a Utah-based company. Various brand names are available on the market these days, but the potential user should choose based on the contents that are by law mentioned on the label, rather than based on brand names. Nor should these contents vary from purchase to purchase if any benefits are to be derived.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Looking For Natural Arthritis Treaments? Try MSM

One of the most popular natural arthritis treatments today is the organic compound MSM. Methylsulfonylmethane, commonly referred to as MSM, is an organic sulfur based compound. There are minute amounts in your blood. There are even small amounts in most of the foods you consume. While many scientists are unsure of exactly what makes MSM work, it seems to be an alternative remedy to the expensive arthritis treatment methods many undergo for pain in the hip, ankle and knee. MSM is a building block for many proteins, especially those that connect your joints. As a result, it is thought that MSM can help to rebuild your aching joints, therby forming the basis of one of the most popular natural arthritis treatments.

How Can I Get MSM?

The easiest way to get your hands on MSM, one of only many natural arthritis treatments, is to take it in a concentrated supplement form. In this way, you may find that it can treat all forms of arthritis including osteoarthritis. It seems to work well on any arthritic joints as well. Research shows that the joints you are having trouble with are low in sulfur levels. As a result, MSM seems to deliver the sulfur you need to your suffering joints. It also seems to have the same effect chemically based anti-inflammatory drugs do while still relieving pain. One of the best benefits of MSM is that it seems to have no side effects.

MSM is available from your local herbalist. If you have no where else to get it, investigate some of the other articles on our site. Many of them recommend sites that retail natural products like MSM. You will want to take at least 2,250 mg of MSM daily for a minimum of six weeks to get the full benefit of this one of many natural arthritis supplements.

The Benefits of Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids

Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids (BTE) are among the most recognized hearing aid devices. These hearing aids fit comfortably behind the ear and are custom fitted for the particular individual. People can use this type of hearing aid to help a wide range of impairments. Both children and adults can benefit from the use of a BTE hearing aid.

In this type of hearing aid, the mechanics of the piece are housed in a case that fits behind the ear. Sounds are captured by a tiny microphone and transmitted from the device through a tube that connects to the ear-mold, which fits inside the ear. BTE’s are often better at the amplification process than smaller models because they have a larger amplifier and stronger battery.

Behind-the-ear hearing aids are available in both digital and programmable styles. Each of the models of aids has its benefits. An audiologist can let you know what style would best suit your needs. Programmable hearing aids often have automatically adjusting volumes while digital hearing aids often maximized sound quality.

It is important to consult with an audiologist regularly if you are experiencing hearing loss. These specialists can determine your level of impairment and custom fit and design the correct BTE hearing aid for you. Inadequately fitted behind-the-ear hearing aids can cause feedback, which can be distracting and embarrassing. Earwax build up can also cause this high-pitched whistling sound. As with other hearing aid devices, you should regularly and thoroughly clean the piece as instructed by your physician.

Behind-the-ear hearing aids can be less expensive than their completely-inside-the-ear (CIC) counterparts. They usually offer the same quality but some consider them less cosmetically appealing. The completely-inside-the-ear models are virtually undetectable while BTE’s are not. For those who are not concerned about others noticing the hearing aid, a BTE could be a good option for a comfortable, affordable and functional alternative to CIC’s.