Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids

Digital hearing aids have been commercially available since the mid-1990s. They are wonders of modern technology. Digital hearing aids can process sound using incredibly fast speeds (350 million calculations per second and one million loudness adjustments per second, or more). The best digital devices can differentiate between speech and noise, selectively enhancing speech while simultaneously buffering background noise interference. The net effect--speech appears closer, while the noise appears further away, vastly improving speech recognition in noise. This technology is available in a new generation advanced design IIC (Invisible-In-Canal) hearing device as well as very small thin tube RIC (Receiver-In-Canal) and OE (Open-Ear) models. Multiple channel digital devices allow maximal control over sound quality and loudness of the hearing aids enabling them to be fine-tuned to your individual hearing requirements and preferences..  Advanced data logging collects extensive information about daily usage which permits further fine-tuning based on unique environmental factors.

Hearing Aid Styles 

Hearing aids come in a variety of styles. Selecting a style that is right for you depends on a number of factors, including: 
type and severity of  hearing loss , size and shape of the ear, personal preferences, dexterity, and other factors.  

Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) 

Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) hearing aids are modern technological marvels. They were introduced in 2010 and have been received with great popularity. They are custom designed to fit deeply in the ear canal, taking advantage of the collection properties of the ear. The inner tip is close to the ear drum. All the components are housed within a single plastic shell. These design features make it easier to listen selectively in noisy settings, as well as being less visible and more cosmetically appealing. Once inserted, they are truly "invisible" to the eye. The AAC IIC has remarkable technological features including advanced data logging, voice commands, anti-feedback control, and speech enhancement with noise reduction, as well as other enhancements. They have a broad fitting range, enabling more people than ever before to benefit from amplification, including many that could not be appreciably helped even a few short years ago. This is our most popular style of instrument, however, they are not advisable for those with tortuous or extremely small ear canals (due to insertion difficulty or potential discomfort) or those with problems with dexterity.  Fitting completely-in-the-canal hearing aids requires additional expertise on the part of the clinician to avoid having to remold the casing or other fitting issues. They use a small #10 battery. 

Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)

 
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids are also custom designed. They fit slightly closer to the aperture of the ear canal than the IIC and are slightly larger, but still take advantage of the collection properties of the ear. They are also cosmetically appealing. They are available across a broad price range in technology from basic, affordable entry level devices to those with the latest cutting-edge technologies. They generally use a #10 or #312 battery. The fitting range for CIC hearing aids has been greatly increased in recent years with the advent of sophisticated "Anti-Feedback" algorithms in select models. Over the past few years CIC hearing aids comprised about five per cent of the total number of hearing aids purchased in the U.S.

In-theCanal (ITC)

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are custom designed and somewhat larger in size than ITC and IIC instruments. They have a wide appeal due to their small size and ease of use. They are ideal when dexterity problems are present.   Even though they are small in size, with today's advanced designs, they can still be used by people over a wide range of hearing loss.

In-the-Ear (ITE)

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids were the earliest custom designed device and fit directly into the ear, filling most of the visible portion of the ear. All of the components are housed within a single plastic shell. They have no external wires or tubes, and are very light in weight. When properly made, they fit comfortably and securely in the ear. The in-the-ear hearing aid can be used for mild to severe hearing losses. They are easy to insert and are a good choice for those with limited dexteritty when properly configured. They generally use a #13 hearing aid battery.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are housed in a small case that fits neatly and comfortably behind or over your ear. They connect to the ear canal via a custom ear mold that is made to the exact shape of your ear or by a thin tube coupled to an ear bud. The ear mold (or ear bud) is used to direct the sound from the hearing aid into your ear and to secure the hearing aid in place. People with a wide range of hearing losses, from mild to severe, can be fitted with behind-the-ear hearing aids. This category comprises about 65 per cent of all hearing aids purchased in the U.S. over the past few years as a result of thin-tube RiC (Receiver-In-Canal) and OE (Open-Ear) devices that are comfortable to wear and are almost invisible when worn.

Brands/ Products

Starkey, Siemens, Sonic Innovations, Oticon, Phonak, Resound, Widex /  "AMP", "Soundlens", "S Series", "Voice IQ", "Destiny", "WI", "Wireless", "RIC".