Download Audiology Services

HEARING AIDS
Choosing a hearing aid is a personal decision. Your audiologist can help you make the right choice. After thoroughly
evaluating your hearing, your audiologist will ask you many questions to help make that choice:
What are your listening needs?
What are your difficult listening situations?
Are you frequently in noisy environments?
Do you need to hear at a distance?
Do you want to have multiple "programs" available for different listening situations?
Do you want to control the volume yourself, or do you want an automatic control built in?
Do you need directional microphones?
Do you need to be able to connect easily to FM Systems and other assistive listening devices?
Are you able to manipulate small objects?
Do you have a cosmetic preference for style of hearing aid?
How valuable is better hearing to you?
Together, you and your audiologist can figure out what might work the best for you.
HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY
PREMIUM DIGITAL
Premium digital technology is the newest and most sophisticated hearing aid technology. It is designed for those who
find themselves in many different types of listening environments, those who want a fully automatic hearing aid, or those
who simply desire the most advanced technology. Features available on some devices include:
Most flexible programming capability allows for the aid to be specifically fine tuned to the individual user’s
hearing loss. This may be the only suitable option for users with precipitously sloping or unusual hearing loss
configurations.
Automatic and adaptive directional microphones automatically track noise and reduce its magnitude, providing
better speech intelligibility in noise.
Active noise reduction algorithm reduces non-speech sounds to provide comfort in the presence of noise.
Active feedback cancellation prevents whistling in almost all situations without sacrificing volume.
Automatically adjusts volume without manual control (unless manual control is desired).
ADVANCED DIGITAL
Mid-range technology is designed for those who live an active lifestyle. This hearing aid can be programmed to help in
different auditory environments but the user must manually control when the hearing aid changes. Some features
include:
Fixed directional microphones' fixed directionality primarily reduces noise from the back. User must manipulate
button to activate.
Noise reduction algorithm provides good comfort in noise.
Feedback manager prevents whistling in most situations with minimal reduction in volume.
BASIC OR ENTRY-LEVEL DIGITAL
Basic or entry-level digital is the most affordable of the digital hearing aids. This hearing aid offers the same clear sound
that the digital line gives but is not as flexible as the others. This hearing aid works well for those who live a fairly quiet
lifestyle.
Fixed directional microphones can be added for additional charge.
Feedback manager usually reduces volume in high-pitches to achieve reduction in whistling.
CONVENTIONAL ANALOG CIRCUITRY
Conventional analog circuitry is the precursor to digital technology. Conventional analog is no longer routinely fit
because the cost is similar to that of the entry level digital and does not provide nearly as much flexibility.
Parameters such as output, frequency response, and gain are internally set by the manufacturer. These hearing
aids cannot be reprogrammed and allow only minimal adjustments to be made by the audiologist.
Recommended for people with less demanding lifestyles.
HEARING AID STYLES
When choosing a hearing aid style, it is important to remember that not every style is appropriate for everyone.
Your audiologist can help you decide which style may be the best for you. Several factors need to be considered
including:
Degree and configuration of hearing loss
Dexterity and ability to manipulate small objects
Size and shape of ear
Cosmetic Preference
MICRO BEHIND-THE- EAR (BTE) HEARING AIDS
Fit comfortably and discreetly behind the ear
Attach to a thin tube and ear tip that is sized for your ear
Suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss; steeply sloping hearing loss
Available with directional microphones
BEHIND-THE- EAR (BTE) HEARING AIDS
Suitable for all ages
Fit comfortably behind the ear
Attaches to a custom earmold that directs sound into the ear canal
Suitable for mild to profound hearing loss; steeply sloping hearing loss
Ideal for people with excessive earwax and/or draining ear
Available with directional microphones
IN-THE-EAR (ITE) HEARING AIDS
Suitable for most ages
Fit entirely into the ear and fills the external ear
Suitable for mild to severe hearing loss
Available with directional microphones
IN-THE-CANAL (ITC) HEARING AIDS
Smaller than an ITE, filling only the bottom half of the external ear
Suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss
Sometimes available with directional microphones
COMPLETELY-IN-THE-CANAL (CIC) HEARING AIDS
Smallest type of hearing aids available
Fit entirely into the ear canal
Takes advantage of the ear's own anatomical design and ability to collect sound naturally
Fit only ear canals large enough to accommodate the insertion depth of the instrument into the ear
Suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing losses
Uses very small battery; may be difficult for some to manipulate