Hearing Aid Overview
At Wallace Center for Hearing, we offer the latest hearing aid technology from all major manufacturers. Hearing aids now offer powerful technology in modern designs. With rechargeable options, Bluetooth connectivity, remote programming, and tinnitus features, hearing aids bring significant benefits to users. In addition to improving cognitive abilities and communication, hearing aids offer features to help wearers stay safe and healthy. With over 20 years of experience, we have the knowledge to recommend the appropriate hearing aid for you and your lifestyle and the expertise to fine-tune and adjust these settings specifically for you and your hearing loss to assure hearing success.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids transform hearing health. These devices are a valuable investment that enhances your daily life. Hearing aids are designed to absorb and process sound which provides maximum audibility. This allows people to navigate environments, conversations, and work-life with greater ease, comfort, and confidence. Hearing aids maximize hearing and this offers countless benefits including increasing spatial awareness, strengthening communication, improving relationships, and encouraging social engagement. Another critical benefit is that wearing hearing aids reduces the risk of experiencing other health concerns like cognitive decline and accidental injuries from falls.
Like most electronic devices today, hearing aids have experienced much innovation over recent years! They are smaller and more advanced than ever, offering a range of features that truly enhance the wearer’s experience. We use our expertise to help you navigate the various hearing aid options that can effectively address your hearing loss. Additionally, we offer in-house hearing aid repairs to ensure that your device is always working optimally!
Hearing Aid Overview
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
With the various brands, types, and features that are available; it can be challenging to navigate all of your options which is why we are here! It is useful to first know how hearing aids operate. Though there are several hearing aid types, all devices come with the same basic components: microphone, amplifier, receiver, and power source. These foundational parts work to collect, amplify, and process sound from the environment which provides ample support for understanding incoming sound information.
request an appointment Hearing Aid Types
It is also helpful to be aware of the different types, or styles, of hearing aids. The main types include:
Receiver in the Ear Canal (RIC)
This type includes the receiver (or speaker) sitting in the ear canal. A small electric wire connects the speaker to the rest of the device which is worn behind the ear. This type is smaller than BTE hearing aids.
Behind the Ear (BTE)
Hearing aid components are in a casing that is worn behind the ear. A small, clear tube connects this casing to an earbud that is custom-fitted and worn in the ear canal.
In the Canal (ITC)
Like ITE types, ITC hearing aids are also custom-fitted to the ear. They are smaller and mainly worn in the ear canal, with a small portion worn on the outer ear.
In the Ear (ITE)
This type of hearing aid is fully custom-fitted to your ear. All of the components are in a casing that sits in the outer portion of the ear.
Completely in the Ear Canal (CIC)
These types of hearing aids are designed to completely fit in the ear canal; making them among the least visible types. Only the handle, used to insert and remove the device, can be seen.
Invisible in the Canal (IIC)
These are the smallest and least visible types of hearing aids. They are custom-fitted to the ear canal and are placed deep inside, making them invisible.
The style that works best for you depends on a combination of factors that includes the specifics of your hearing loss, lifestyle preferences, and the daily activities that you participate in.
Technology Levels
Technology is what matters most and this is what influences the price of hearing aids. The more sophisticated the computer chip is within the hearing aid the more expensive that instrument will be. Levels of technology should be recommended based on your lifestyle and how active you are. The more active your lifestyle, the more sophisticated that hearing aid needs to be to handle the more difficult listening environments that you are in. At Wallace Center for Hearing, we get to know you and your listening needs and recommend what is necessary for your unique lifestyle.
Hearing Aid Features
Hearing aid features are developing rapidly, and it is important to know what is available to you before making your selection.
Bluetooth
One of the most important features is Bluetooth compatibility, which allows you to talk on the telephone or smartphone with your hearing aids in place. The phone conversation is streamed directly from your phone through your hearing aids and the sound is amplified to compensate for your hearing loss. This feature allows you to use both ears on the phone assuring the best audibility. You will now be able to hear on the phone effortlessly.
Noise Reduction
Hearing aids now have features to help you to hear better in background noise. Digital noise reduction technology enables the wearer to differentiate voices from the surrounding noise of life, making it easier to carry on conversations while wearing the hearing aids even in noisy environments. Directional microphones are also useful for this purpose, drawing the sound of a speaker standing in front of you rather than crosstalk within a noisy room, restaurant, or party.
Feedback Suppression
Feedback suppression is a crucial feature. You may have seen someone using a hearing aid that suddenly emitted a high-pitched squeal. Feedback suppression is a new technology that prevents this from happening, making the user much more secure.
Rechargeability
Rechargeable hearing aids are now available. Rechargeable hearing aids have built-in lithium-ion batteries that do not require regular removal. These batteries hold a charge for up to 30 hours and will last many years before they need to be replaced. Rechargeability simplifies hearing aid use. You no longer need to handle small batteries. This also eliminates the need to ever need to manually turn your hearing aids on/off. This feature is especially beneficial for patients with poor dexterity in their hands or low vision.