HEARING AIDS

Choosing a hearing aid:

When choosing a hearing aid, the most important factors are the type and degree of hearing loss. Not all styles and technology are appropriate for all hearing losses, and this needs to be taken into consideration and explained to the client.

The appropriate hearing aid should also be selected based on the following:

• Lifestyle – how and where the hearing aid will be used is important because it determines the most popular listening environments of the individual.
• Manual Dexterity – this key factor should be properly evaluated to ensure the client’s ability to handle daily hearing aid use and insertion, as well as performing manual adjustments.
• Budget – a hearing aid does not have to be expensive in order to work properly, and we offer a wide selection of  brands and models designed to suit a range of budgets.

Realistic expectations when considering Hearing Aids:

The hearing test results not only show the degree of the hearing loss but also the ability of speech understanding once volume is applied. This is tested often in quiet environments and in noisy environments and does give the professional an approximation of how the individual will do with a hearing aid. This information is very important for the hard of hearing individual so he or she is not given too high expectations.

The outcome of aiding your hearing loss differ from person to person, which is why the follow ups and the 60-day trial period are so important and ultimately crucial to the success of wearing the hearing aids.

It is easier to help an individual with hearing aids at the early stages of his/her hearing loss. This is due to the fact that early stages have less limits. Since you hear with your brain, sounds stimulate it and if this audio input is lacking then you tend to forget the sound around you. The more damage you have the more difficult it is to get the comfort and satisfaction with hearing aids. However you should have a consultation with hearing professional to understand your limits and realistic expectations.

CIC	CIC CIC (Completely in Canal) hearing aids fit deep inside the ear canal. CIC’s primary benefit is its diminutive size which makes it cosmetically invisible, but it is limited to certain features due to the small size. CIC hearing aids can be used for mild to moderately-severe hearing loss.
ITC	ITC ITC (In the Canal) hearing aids fit inside the ear canal and accommodates the option of a dual microphone while still being small and lightweight. ITC hearing aids can be used for mild to moderately-severe hearing losses.
ITE	ITE ITE (In the Ear) hearing aids fit securely and occupy the entire space of the outer ear, but are still one-piece units without extra wires or components. These provide space for a dual microphone and can treat mild to severe hearing loss.
RIC	RIC RIC (Receiver in Canal) hearing aids fit behind the ear and provide an open fit. A RIC places a receiver directly into the ear canal, a housing behind the ear, and a thin earwire that connects the housing to the receiver. This type of hearing aid provides a cosmetic fit and allows the space needed for options like a dual microphone. This style can be used for mild to severe hearing loss.
BTE	BTE BTE (Behind the Ear) hearing aids address the broadest range of hearing loss. This style sits behind your ear and requires a custom ear mold that partially occludes the opening of the ear canal. BTE hearing aids also offer longer battery life and can be used for all types of hearing loss, from mild to profound.