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HEARING AID TECHNOLOGIES

Premium Digital Hearing Aids
Premium digital hearing aids are designed for those with a very active lifestyle and do the best job with reducing background noise while preserving clarity.  They have features that automatically switch the hearing aid to a specific setting designed for different types of environments, such as quiet, background noise and music.  They have built in comfort features to make sounds that are often loud and uncomfortable for hearing aid users more tolerable and comfortable.  These hearing aids are often recommended to those bothered by background noise and want a hearing aid that requires very little adjustment.

Mid-Level Digital Hearing Aids
Mid-level digital hearing aids are designed for an average lifestyle.  They are designed to reduce some background noise and work well for those that are in background noise occasionally.  They have features that allow the hearing aid to automatically switch to an alternate setting based on the particular environmental features, such as quiet and background noise.  These hearing aids are recommended for those who are occasionally in background noise and are not bothered by loud environmental noises.

Entry-Level Digital Hearing Aids
Entry-level digital hearing aids are designed for quiet lifestyles.  When in background noise, some of these hearing aids will automatically become directional, requiring the user to place himself/herself in the environment so that the majority of background noise is coming from behind the user and the speech they are trying to hear is directly in front.  These hearing aids are recommended for those who do not typically have difficulty with background noise or who are not frequently in noisy environments.

Remote Controls
Remote controls are compatible with most premium and mid-level digital products.  There are many different remote control options:   watch remotes, small key ring size remotes and standard full-size remotes.  Remote controls allow for manual adjustment without the need to reach up to the hearing aid(s) to make adjustments.

Bluetooth and Audio Input
One of the latest innovations in hearing aids are instruments and devices that allow hearing aid users with Bluetooth enabled cell phones to connect to a wireless/hands free Bluetooth device that will transmit cell phone calls directly to the user’s hearing aids.  The device also allows the user to plug directly into any iPod, MP3 player, CD/cassette player, etc. and listen through their own hearing aids.   

HEARING AID SIZES

Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Behind-the-ear hearing aids consists of two pieces: 1. An earmold custom fit to the user’s ear and 2. The hearing aid that sits behind the user’s ear.  Because the earmold does not contain any electronics, BTE hearing aids are generally more resistant to damage due to wax and  moisture.  They have more power and flexibility.  This means that they can fit a wider range of hearing losses and can easily be reprogrammed, should the patient’s hearing worsen over time.

Mini, Micro and Open-Fit Behind-The-Ear These small behind-the-ear hearing aids are designed for people with high frequency hearing losses.  The purpose of these small BTE’s is to keep the ear canal relatively open, as to not enhance or create an artificial feeling of being plugged or under water.  They are designed to allow low frequencies to escape and enhance high frequencies.  Additionally, due to their small size and narrow tubing, they are nearly invisible in and behind the ear.

In-The-Ear (ITE) In-the-ear hearing aids are custom fit to sit inside the entire concha (bowl) of the ear and do not have any pieces sitting outside the ear.  They are the most visible of hearing aids, but their larger size makes it easy for people with dexterity issues to insert and remove easily.

In-The-Canal (ITC) or Half-Shell (HS) In-the-canal and half-shell hearing aids are custom fit and generally fit in the canal and lower portion of the concha (bowl).  They are less visible than ITE’s, but can be more susceptible to wax and moisture, as the electronics are generally placed deeper into the ear canal than required with an ITE.  Because they are smaller, they are not appropriate for all hearing losses.

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) Completely-in-the-canal custom fit hearing aids are the least visible of hearing aids.  The entire hearing aid and electronics are placed into the ear canal.  They generally require more repairs than any other style due to the close proximity to wax and moisture that accumulates in the external auditory canal.  They require smaller batteries, therefore, batteries must be changed more frequently.  Because CIC’s have limitations in relation to power, they are not appropriate for all hearing losses.