Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are an important investment in your health and wellness.

Providing ample hearing support, hearing aids help people stay connected to loved ones. These devices have experienced significant and exciting innovations over the years. They come in a variety of styles as well as offer a wide range of features that are designed to deliver enhanced sound quality and meet your specific hearing needs. Our experts will help you navigate your options and provide their expertise to recommend devices that can best support your hearing in everyday life.

What are the hearing aids styles?

A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid is a common device that you have likely seen before. It is worn behind the top of your ear. A thin tube connects to an earpiece that is worn in the ear canal. BTE hearing aids are a bigger hearing aid option that has more power and can perform greater functions. This is recommended for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE)

Before the hearing test, your ears will be physically examined. This includes using an ear instrument known as an otoscope which shines a light, allowing us to fully examine the ear canal and eardrum. We inspect your ears and check for any factors that could obstruct sound from being fully absorbed and reaching the inner ear. This includes accumulated earwax, a tear in the eardrum, any growths, ear infections, etc. which can prevent sound waves from traveling through the ear canal to reach the inner ear. If needed, we’ll remove any earwax before getting started with the hearing test.

In-the-ear (ITE)

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids come in full and half-shell options that are worn in the other portion of the ear. Hearing aid components are housed in either half-shell ITEs which are worn in the lower bowl of the outer ear or in full-shell styles which cover most of the outer ear. These hearing aids are recommended for people with mild to severe hearing loss.

In-the-Canal (ITC)

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are tailor-made to the shape of your ear. Custom molds or impressions are taken of your ear which is used to custom make this device. This ensures a perfect and comfortable fit in your ear canal. There are a few styles including complete-in-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids. All of these devices are worn in the ear, placement varied depending on the style. These devices are best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) also referred to as receive-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids are a type of BTE device, but smaller. The amplifier and microphone sit in a case behind the ear while the speaker is worn in the ear canal which allows both pieces to be smaller. RIC hearing aids are recommended for people with moderate to severe hearing loss.

What are digital hearing aids?

As technology continues to advance, digital hearing aids are becoming much more common and preferred. Analog hearing aids amplify sound so that the ear receives louder signals. This hearing aids equally amplify all sound waves which doesn’t allow for as much adjusting. This differs from digital hearing aids which convert incoming sound waves into digital signals. These signals can then be manipulated in various ways to meet the wearer’s hearing needs. Digital hearing aids can perform complex functions like separating and reducing background noise and changing sound frequencies to deliver enhanced sound quality.

Digital hearing aids also offer numerous innovative features that increase connectivity and overall experience. Common features include Bluetooth connectivity, digital noise reduction, voice recognition, tinnitus management features, and much more. Our experts will discuss digital hearing aids and the range of features that can benefit your hearing in everyday environments.