Hearing Aid Overview

Hearing aids are one of the most commonly recommended treatments for hearing loss and can significantly enhance the quality of life for their users. Programmed to suit each person's individual hearing needs, their primary function is to amplify sound so that people can hear better. There is a vast selection of hearing aids available today, varying in color, shape, and size. Some patients have need of instruments that are so minute that they fit entirely into the ear canal and are virtually unseen, while other patients may require more advanced instruments with greater capabilities, allowing the patient to adjust by means of an app or manually.

Additionally, with the exciting speed of technological innovation and engineering, hearing aids also come with numerous features that can make life exponentially more convenient for those with hearing loss. Ultimately, they allow people to communicate and connect with their friends and family while remaining engaged in activities that they love - and nothing can be more important in preserving than that.

HEARING AID TYPES

Although there are many different hearing aids available today, there are two main types, each with a variety of styles and designs. These two distinct types are recognized as Prefab design and Custom instruments.

Prefab RITE

Prefab hearing aids are excellent solutions for people with mild to more severe hearing issues, as they provide efficient and comprehensive sound amplification. In some cases, they can provide the additional power necessary to help patients with severe to profound hearing loss achieve better hearing as recommended. Styles and designs from manufacturers can differ to accommodate specialized coloring, thin or slim designs to fit more discretely behind the ear, and rechargeable battery options where replaceable batteries are not advantageous for the patient.

Custom Built

Custom Built hearing aids are designed with the ultimate comfort and discretion in mind. They are custom-made from impressions taken from a patient’s ear canals in order to fit the exact shape and contour of the individual’s anatomy. Depending upon the recommendation of your hearing specialist, and considering the manual dexterity and capabilities of the patient, there are four main styles of custom built hearing instruments. ITE, ITC, CIC, and IIC. IICs which when inserted into the ear canal is “invisible in the canal”. The smaller and more discreet the design the smaller the battery for energizing the instrument, thus the hours of use before a battery replacement is necessary may be less for the smallest of designs. Today rechargeable instruments are available in most styles.

Hearing Aid Features & Benefits

People with hearing impairments are well aware of the challenges they face in accomplishing everyday tasks. Thankfully, hearing aids have seen a lot of advancement in recent years, providing a range of features that make life much easier. Their main function will always be sound amplification, but now they also offer added convenience to their users. Some of their most popular and beneficial features include:

Tinnitus Masking

Today’s hearing instrument technology has capabilities for stimulus for tinnitus patients, and provide features to help alleviate the associated stress. Most current advanced hearing instruments with these capabilities can be adjusted for the individuals specific needs for stimulus with additional modes of adjustments for the patient to freely turn on or off the stimulus at will.

DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Digital Signal Processing is a type of technology used in hearing aids that applies computer algorithms to differentiate speech from surrounding noises such as construction sounds or traffic. This gives people improved focus and comprehension during conversations without being bothered by environmental interference. It can also be utilized when enjoying music in boisterous spaces.

Rechargeable/Battery Operated

Recent improvements in Rechargeable technology have made it more convenient for those with vision and mobility difficulties to simply recharge their hearing aids overnight for use again the next day. Battery operated hearing aids are still available and useful when power necessary for recharging is not readily available, or in an emergency situation. Example: First Responder after a tornado, hurricane, flood, or major power outage that may last for more than a day. Zinc oxide batteries are readily available and are still a viable option for such patients.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Modern hearing aids are equipped with Bluetooth technology, enabling users to send audio from other Bluetooth-enabled devices directly to the hearing aids without the need for any cables. This conveniently eliminates tangles and constraints associated with cords while enhancing sound quality since the audio is sent emitted from the hearing aid speaker directly into the ear canal. Cell phones, tablets, TV, and most advanced Bluetooth devices can be paired for direct audio input to today’s advanced hearing instruments. Ask you hearing specialist if your devices can be paired to your new hearing aids.

Feedback Cancellation

Utilizing feedback cancellation technology, it is possible to eradicate the high-pitched noises that result from sound loops between your ears and the hearing equipment. It also preserves the original quality of sound the hearing aid receives and allows you to detect the finer details and nuances of speech or music.

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Don't wait for hearing loss to affect your happiness and well-being. You cannot regain the hearing you once had if it progresses, but you can protect and improve the hearing you have now. We can help! Schedule an appointment with us today and stop hearing loss in its tracks!