Hearing Aid Overview

Hearing aids have improved remarkably in the past decade and now come in many shapes and sizes. It may seem daunting to decide which one is right for you, so we've prepared this guide to help you choose the right type. There are styles to suit everyone, whether you want a small, discreet design or something more feature-packed and easy to handle.

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Hearing Aid Styles

Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC)

The IIC hearing aids should be removed daily to maintain good ear health. They are tailor-made for your ears, suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss, and almost impossible to see. This tailor-made style is placed farther into the ear canal than other styles, making it invisible when worn.

In-the-Ear (ITE)

ITE hearing aids are user-friendly and easy to use. They fit into the outer ear bowl. They can handle a wider range of hearing losses and have a longer battery life than the IIC and CIC styles. Their size allows for the inclusion of other features, such as directional microphones, to help them handle challenging noise conditions better. They also include manual controls, a benefit to those with limited dexterity.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)

This open-fit hearing aid features a thin plastic cord with a speaker. This speaker is positioned within the ear canal. Because the sound produced travels a very short distance, it uses less battery power than standard BTE hearing aids.

Behind-The-Ear (BTE)

These are among the most popular kinds of hearing aids. They are designed in a case that sits behind the ear with most electronic components. A tiny plastic tube and an ear hook transmit the sound to the earpiece. The tube sits inside the ear canal and sends sound to the eardrum. The user's voice sounds more natural when they speak, and when they eat and drink when wearing a BTE, it's not as loud.

Hearing Aid Accessories & Technologies

There is a wide range of tools and products available that offer significant ease and convenience when it comes to maintaining and wearing hearing aids. In order to keep hearing aids from malfunctioning, regular maintenance is required. Some of the items and instruments necessary to care for them are often included in the initial purchase or are given by your hearing healthcare provider. Other accessories must be bought separately and, though most are purely optional or cosmetic in nature, can offer numerous benefits. Some of the most popular options include:

Portable Hearing Aid Chargers

Rechargeable hearing aids usually come with their own original manufacturer's charger that can be plugged into a wall or USB port. It is a good idea, though, to invest in a secondary charger to use as a backup or in case of emergencies. Portable hearing aid chargers are basically portable battery packs that do not need to be plugged into a wall and are perfect for traveling or emergencies.

Wireless Connectivity

With the development of wireless technologies, hearing aids and hearing loss solutions have developed leaps and bounds in recent years. This new technology allows hearing aid users to connect their devices to phones, televisions, and other wireless compatible devices, making for a seamless user interface. The wireless technology allows them to access sound directly from these sources without any cables or wires making it easier for people utilizing hearing loss solutions to communicate and interact with the outside world. Additionally, wireless connectivity also helps hearing aid users access features and utilize their benefits. Some of the available features are noise cancellation and sound amplification which can improve the overall listening experience.

Digital Noise Reduction

One popular feature in the field of hearing aid solutions is digital noise reduction. Digital noise reduction has been popular for years in other audio related fields but has become increasingly popular with hearing aids. This popular technology helps reduce background noise, making it easier to hear conversations and other sounds. This helps to improve sound quality by minimizing distortion allowing users to focus on what is important. With this technology, people with hearing loss can enjoy listening to music or watching movies without having to worry about the background noise interfering with their experience. Digital noise reduction technology is a wonderful way for those with hearing loss to stay connected and engaged in their environment.

Tinnitus Management

Hearing aids have become an invaluable tool for managing tinnitus. Tinnitus is a hearing condition characterized by unwanted ringing or other noises in the ears. These sounds can make it difficult to hear or focus on the sounds around us. With the use of hearing aids, those affected by tinnitus are better able to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Hearing difficulties can cause distraction and isolation, but hearing aids can be used to reduce the intensity of tinnitus sounds. By masking the noise with other sounds and providing sound enrichment that can help make it easier to focus on specific tasks, users are able to reduce the anxieties that can sometimes lead to these detrimental side-effects. In addition to these features and benefits, hearing aids can provide access to sound therapy programs that have been found to be effective in managing tinnitus symptoms. By providing access to these programs and tools, hearing aids offer a unique solution for those suffering from tinnitus.

TV Devices and Remote Microphones

Today TV devices and remote microphones are designed to enhance the audio experience for individuals with hearing loss. They help improve sound clarity and reduce background noise, allowing people with hearing impairments to enjoy television programs, conversations, and other audio content more effectively.

TV devices for hearing aids enable users to directly stream audio from their televisions to their hearing aids wirelessly. These devices connect to the TV's audio output and transmit the sound signals to the hearing aids through a dedicated wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth or proprietary technology. This allows users to adjust the volume and sound settings on their hearing aids, independent of the TV's volume control. TV devices generally offer a clear and personalized sound experience, enabling individuals to hear the TV audio without disturbing others.

Remote microphones are small portable devices that help individuals with hearing loss to hear conversations and speeches more clearly, even in noisy environments. They work by capturing sound close to the speaker and wirelessly transmitting it directly to the user's hearing aids. This technology reduces the impact of background noise, distance, and reverberation, providing improved speech intelligibility. Remote microphones can be clipped onto the clothing of a speaker, placed on a table during a meeting, or used in other similar scenarios.