Digital Hearing Aid Options and Recommendations
Hearing aid technology is constantly evolving and becoming increasingly advanced. Modern hearing aids are small computers, constantly being refined and developed to provide better reproduction of natural human hearing.
When it comes to selecting appropriate hearing aids, the style best suited for you will depend upon your specific hearing loss, but also on your lifestyle and personal choice. However different types of hearing aids include:
- Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) The smallest hearing aid is almost invisible in the ear. These hearing aids are suitable only for people with ear canals large enough to accommodate the whole hearing aid. Used for mild to moderate hearing losses.
- In-the-canal (ITC) This hearing aid is a bit larger than the CIC type. Is normally used in cases of mild to moderate hearing loss.
- In-the-Ear (ITE) ITE hearing aids are larger, and may offer more features. They also accommodate larger receivers. This hearing aid is easier to handle than CICs.
- Behind-the-Ear (BTE) These hearing aids are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses. Placed outside the ear, this design is still extremely discreet.
NB Many BTE hearing aids are very small and use open ear, slim-tube technology instead of a conventional earmould. We will take the time to carefully describe and discuss the different sound processing and other important features available in hearing aids that are suitable for you.
The different styles of digital hearing aids are available in three price ranges.
Premium digital - various models
These aids have a large number of channels for excellent sound quality; multi channel directional technology and noise cancellation for the best hearing in noise. They have specialist high tech features for different acoustic environments giving automatic situation analysis and adaptation. These aids are suitable for a varied lifestyle in many different listening environments. Some models have the remote controls.
Advanced digital - various models
These aids have fewer adjustable channels for compensation of hearing loss. They have automatic situation identification and adaptation but reduced high-tech features making them suitable in fewer environments. Some models have the remote controls.
Standard digital - various models
These aids have the least number of channels for compensation of hearing loss, often they are less effective in noise. Such aids would be suitable for those with a less variable lifestyle.
Wireless connectivity
Often people using Hearing Aids find it problematic to, for example listen to a mobile telephone, comfortably listen to the television, or benefit from private listening experiences such as an MP3 player. Today’s hearing aid technology provides flexibility via peripheral wireless connectivity to solve such difficulties and make listening through hearing aids an all embracing experience.
Working with you to understand your requirements we can ensure that our recommendations place your needs at the centre of an appropriate solution which involves the use of the most up to date technology and makes flexible listening a pleasure not a problem.
After the Assessment
Following the assessment we will provide in writing a full report describing our findings regarding your hearing, and, where appropriate, outlining the hearing aid recommendations and associated costs made to you verbally during the assessment.
Putting the recommendations into practice!
On the basis of the information provided, should you decide to move forward and obtain the recommended equipment you will need to contact our offices by telephone to make an appointment for the recommended hearing aids to be fitted.
Our Audiology department can be reached on: 01782 645131.
During this appointment the new hearing aids will be fitted and every effort will be made to ensure you are able to hear clearly and comfortably.
However it needs to be appreciated that fitting hearing aids is a gradual process and it can often take two or three fitting or fine tuning sessions in order to ensure that you are able to hear as well as is technologically possible Additionally, as the ear gets used to hearing the new sounds presented to it by the hearing aid it will almost certainly be the case that you will want alterations made.
For these reasons we like to see our clients again within six weeks of the initial fitting session.
Then, because we understand how important getting it right is, we offer clients two subsequent fine tuning sessions within 9 months of the first fitting session.
Whilst Digital Hearing Aid technology is amazing it is only helpful if it directly addresses an individuals needs. The hearing test tells us what can’t be heard, however the regular client contact over a nine month period allow us to ensure that using that as the basis of information we work with you to maximise what you can through the assistance of digital listening technology, hear.