Hearing aids have come a long way since the ear trumpet.
There are now choices that range from virtually unseen “in the ear” hearing
aids to the more conventional over the hear hearing aids. With so many options
available, we always provide a little overview of the different types.
Ultimately, the type of hearing aid you buy depends on your
own hearing needs and the lifestyle you live. The best way to pick your ideal
hearing aid out the hundreds of options available is to seek guidance from your
local hearing experts.
The Newest Hearing Aids
The advancement of technology has had a tremendous impact on
the way hearing aids feel, look, and perform. They can be small enough to be
virtually invisible to onlookers, “cool” looking enough that you will not care
if they are seen, and so natural sounding that they mimic the way you used to
hear before experiencing your own hearing loss.
There is no secret, digital hearing aids account for the
majority of hearing aids sold worldwide. The quality of the sound is astounding
and will give you the confidence that you made the right hearing aid choice.
Digital Hearing Aid Features
• Dual microphones: Allows for better hearing in
noisy settings. Some hearing aids can even identify the source of the noise and
reduce it!
• Feedback cancellation: Cancels feedback before
hearing it as an annoying whistle!
• Open technology: Keeps the ear unobstructed to
eliminate the ‘talking in barrel” effect.
• Hands-free technology: Automatically adjusts to
your environment, for example, if you are on the phone, in a crowd or in a
windy area.
• Wireless technology: Allows you to hear your TV,
cell phone, or home phone in stereo…Directly through your hearing aid.
Digital hearing aids can act on soft sounds and loud sounds
in completely different fashions. The more advanced the digital chip, the more
bands it will process. Some digital hearing aids have the capabilities to
reduce some environment noises such as clanging dishes or running motors.
There are Four Basic Technology Levels:
• Economy
• Basic
• Advanced
• Best
Each level
offers digital hearing solutions based on your budget, level of hearing loss
and of course, lifestyle. With so many options available, we are confident in
our ability to find you the ideal hearing aid.
The Newest Hearing Aids
Conventional hearing aids are simply just amplifiers that feature manual tuning and volume control. These hearing aids are ideal for easy listening environments such as watching TV, one on one conversations… essentially quiet environments because the sounds present are typically amplified in the same way. This technology provides limited flexibility in meeting an individual’s need.
Why Wireless Hearing Aids Are So Popular
Wireless hearing aids pair with a handheld device, like your
smart phone, connects you directly and wirelessly to the sounds you need to
hear, like your TV.
This technology picks up the sound you wish to hear and
dampens the sounds that are distracting to your main focus. You will not need
to scream into your cell phone, crank up the volume on the TV, and won’t miss
out on the things you enjoy most.
Each person is unique which means the hearing aids you buy
need to be selected, fitted and programmed to each individual’s needs. Texas
State Hearing Aid Device Center can do just that so that and help you live your
life and hear better with the correct hearing aid.
WHICH TYPE OF HEARING
AID IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Behind the Ear (BTE)
Hearing Aids: A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid hooks over the top of your
ear and rests behind the ear. A tube connects the hearing aid to a custom
earpiece called an ear mold that fits in your ear canal. This type is
appropriate for people of all ages and those with almost any type of hearing
loss.
In the Canal (IC) Hearing Aids: Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids are the smallest custom
hearing aids available. They are designed and sculptured to fit entirely inside
your ear canal (external auditory meatus) and are therefore almost, if not
completely, invisible.
In the Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids: In-the-ear (ITE)
hearing aids are designed to fit in the outer ear and are very easy to handle.
... To ensure a perfect fit, ITE aids are typically custom made based on an
impression of the wearer's ear and ear canal. This high degree of customization
means that ITE aids are usually very comfortable to wear.
In the Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids: Essentially invisible and maintenance free. This type of hearing aid
combines the concealment of our In the Canal hearing aid with the convenience
of wearing them for extended periods of times.
Receiver in the Ear (RIC) Hearing Aids: RIC hearing aids have a microphone and sound processor
housed in a casing which sits behind the ear. This behind the ear portion of
the hearing aid has a small wire running around the ear and into ear canal,
which is known as the “receiver” and has a speaker on the end of it which sits
in the ear canal. Visibility isn’t a problem. You can attend business meetings,
parties and other social events without anyone even knowing that you are
wearing hearing aids. The small hard plastic casing on this device is often
hidden behind the ear or underneath your hair.
Special Hearing Aid Features
Many of our devices come with specific programming features
that include noise management features, automatic adjustments, ear to ear
communication, function controls, directional microphones, wireless Bluetooth controls,
music programs and telecoil. The telecoil feature is useful in public spaces
with induction loop systems. Our hearing professionals are here for your very
own consultation to discuss which features fit your needs.